Page 14 of Vodka And Virtue

I was dying to find out.

It was obvious to me from the way he became so prickly around me, like a little porcupine sticking out his quills in self-defense, that he was interested in me. It seemed I had some sort of effect on him. But I was unconvinced that he would ever give me a chance to be anything more than a friend or a coworker. The differences between us were numerous and vast, and I didn’t know how he would react when faced with such challenges that clearly made him uncomfortable. All I could do was keep trying, keep putting in the effort and showing up, and keep hoping that he would give me the chance to prove to him how good we could be together.

Carlisle stared up at the setting sun and shivered, and I approached him silently, the sand muffling the sound of my footsteps.

“If you’re cold, I have a jacket in my truck.”

He startled, turning to look at me. “You just took three years off my life that I’ll never get back.”

Chuckling, I apologized. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I was watching you stretch and thought maybe you looked cold.”

My gaze traveled down his chest, where his nipples poked through his shirt, and back up to his face, to his lips, that were chapped from the wind. He had to be freezing without the sun's warmth. But would he humble himself enough to accept my jacket? Doubtful. I continued to stare at his lips, my eyes flickering to his and back to his mouth again, and he stood frozen in time, absorbed in the moment.

Was he waiting for me to make the first move?

The setting sun created a halo effect around his head.

He looked beautiful. A beachy God, kissed by the wind and blessed by the sun. I couldn’t not touch him. The pull was too strong to deny. I lowered my head, my lips descending on his slowly, giving him time to react. But he didn’t move, just continued to stare into my eyes until my mouth was close enough that my breath tickled his dry lips.

I closed my eyes, anticipating the taste of his kiss, and closed the distance between us. I stumbled forward when he stepped backward.

”Wow, I’m starved! Let’s go eat.”

So fucking close!Would I ever know how sweet his mouth tasted?

5

RORY

We decidedon a steakhouse restaurant on the boardwalk, overlooking the beach. Even through the darkness, we could easily make out the white-capped waves crashing onto the shore. The ambience was relaxed, yet refined, with white-washed walls and tables made of bleached wood. The fireplace near our table had a beautiful driftwood mantle. It gave off a delicious heat, and I gestured for Carlisle to sit on the side of the table closest to the fire to keep him warm.

After looking over the menu and deciding on our dinner, an awkward silence fell over the table, like he was waiting for me to carry the conversation.

“I enjoyed myself more than I thought I would have today. I’m glad you chose that for us. Though, I’m very much looking forward to our next date, where we work a lot less and relax and enjoy each other’s company more.”

Instead of replying, Carlisle took a sip of his water to occupy his mouth and hands.

Our waitress delivered our entrées, and I used the distraction to think of how I might draw him out of his shell.

“So, how did your trial girlfriend feel about you auctioning yourself off to the highest bidder? Did you tell her about our date?”

Carlisle pushed the wild rice around his plate with his fork. “I didn’t exactly tell her about it.”

I frowned, running through the possible reasons in my head why he would keep it a secret.

Carlisle dropped his fork, quick to reassure me. “No, not because I’m ashamed of you or because she would get mad. I’m not a cheater. We just aren’t—”

“You aren’t what?”

“Susannah hasn’t called me since she left the bar that night with her friends. And I’m not very motivated to call her either, so…”

“So you’re at some sort of standoff.”

A lopsided grin teased his lips. “Something like that.”

Carlisle finished off his rice and then picked up his knife, cutting into his steak. “Don’t judge me for staying. I know it’s not ideal, but… I don’t know. Sometimes, it feels easier to continue to go along with the farce than to let it go and face what’s next.”

“I’m not judging you, Carlisle. I just want to know how well it’s working out for you.”

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