Page 40 of Flirting with the Stranger

“You can’t go wrong with the red velvet.” Without breaking eye contact, I reach for one of the red velvet cake pops and hold it between the both of us. Her soft manicured fingers graze mine, and she plucks the stick from me. Before she can put it in her mouth, a younger man around my age runs up to the table.

“Mom, there’s an emergency. Ben needs you.” The woman scoffs, appearing irritated at the interruption. Both of them scamper off into the crowd.

I stand to my full height and shake my head, unsure of what exactly happened right then. Hollyn comes to stand next to me, and I glance down.

“Could she have been any more obvious?” She crosses her arms over her chest.

“About what?” A coy smile plays on my lips since I know exactly what she’s talking about, but I want to hear it from her.

“She was so flirting with you. Not like discreet flirting, but like ‘oops, my boob popped out’ flirting. Which I’m really surprised it didn’t with how low cut her dress is. Who wears that to a wedding?”

I tilt my head to the side. “That must be some new kind of flirting. Maybe you can demonstrate how it works?”

She side eyes me. “She’s what, twice your age? I bet she’s old enough to be your mom.”

“Apparently, I like my women older.” I shrug.

“She had no shame walking up to you at her son’s wedding to hit on the baker. Who does that?” Her hands move in front of her animatedly.

“That went over your head,” I say, but she continues to ignore me.

“Running her fingers down your chest. I’m surprised she didn’t start purring and rubbing against you.”

“You didn’t hear me, did you?” I laugh.

“No, she would probably pounce on you and try to groom you into being one of her fuck boys or something.”

I grip her shoulders and turn her to me, my voice low. “It’s kind of hot when you get all jealous.”

“Jealous?” She scoffs.

“You’re totally jealous.” I smirk.

“No, I’m not.” She busies herself with rearranging the cake pops.

I bend down and whisper against the shell of her ear. “So, if I went over to her right now, wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to me. Her body flush against mine.”

Her breath hitches.

“And bend down and press my lips to hers. You’re telling me you wouldn’t be jealous?”

Her nostrils flare, and she straightens her shoulders before peering up to meet my eyes. “No, I wouldn’t.”

I bark out a laugh. “Okay. If you say so. I’ll just go over there…”

“Go for it.” She stands to her full height and crosses her arms over her chest.

I take a step, then another as I get closer to the corner of the table. “Here I go. I’m going to do it.”

She shifts her weight from foot to foot and her teeth sink into her bottom lip.

“Last chance to stop me.” I round the corner of the table and her gaze shifts from me to the older woman in question on the other side of the room and then back to me. I guess I’m doing this, not because I want the other woman, but to prove a point. I propel my legs forward, but only make it a few steps.

“Stop.” She throws her arms to her sides.

A face splitting grin covers my face. I’ve won. She’s going to admit she was jealous. Hollyn stalks toward me. Once we’re toe to toe, she brings her hands up to my shoulders. Her delicate hands brush down my chest. She lifts her head, her eyes staring into mine. Her tongue peeks out and she licks her lips, slow and sensual. Her fingers brush over the top button of my white-collar shirt.

“You’re a little stiff, this will make you look more relaxed.” She pops the top button and opens the collar slightly. “There, that’s better.”

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