Page 54 of The Wish List
“I thought you said the weekend. As in Saturday and Sunday.”
“The weekend includes Friday night, Rosie. I’m sure most of the world would agree with me.”
“So, two nights, then?”
“Yes.”
“I assume you expect to get lucky?”
I chuckled. “I am lucky if you agree to this.”
“You know what I mean.”
I slid closer to her in the round booth. Glided my hand up her arm, over her shoulder, and wrapped my fingers around the nape of her neck. She shivered at my touch. I pulled her close and kissed her. “You, me, in my bed, so when you leave, the sheets smell like you? Like us? Yes, I want to get lucky. I want to hold you all night and wake up with you beside me. I want to make love to you in a big, comfortable bed. I want you to like it so much that you come back. A lot.”
Her eyes were wide and shocked in her face. “I see.”
“So, is that a yes?”
Her breath was warm on my skin as I pressed closer.
“Yes.”
I kissed her. “Good answer.”
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
ROSIE
Ichecked on AJ when I got home, still high on my evening with Asher. It had been so long since I had been on a real date. I had been nervous about my dress, my borrowed coat, but Asher made me feel beautiful. He refused to let me worry, smoothing all my rough edges with his sweet words and gestures.
I was touched that he’d taken me to a place that meant so much to him, that held such personal memories. I loved the restaurant. The casual way he told me of saving it and giving it back to the family showed me his real heart. I had seen so many glimpses of it since we met, but that showed me his honor.
We’d had dinner, sitting for hours simply talking. I loved hearing his stories. He was an excellent listener, asking questions and showing me that he was actually paying attention to me when I spoke. So many men tended to check out, barely paying attention. Asher truly listened.
I had been equal parts sad and happy when he’d brought me home, walking me to my door, kissing me goodnight, and leaving me.
“You’re not coming in?” I asked.
He drifted his knuckles down my cheek. “No, Rosie. Tonight was to spend time with you. You’re not just a booty call. You’re so much more than that.”
“Coffee?” I asked.
He bent and kissed me again. “We both know I won’t be able to resist, and coffee will become more,” he murmured. “I want tonight to be the first of many wonderful nights.”
“All right,” I agreed.
That didn’t stop him from kissing me until I was a shaking mass of want in his arms. He felt the same way, judging from the erection pressed between us as he held me tight. But he left, trailing his finger over my lips, shaking his head, and muttering about “red-headed sirens.”
I curled up on the sofa, my makeup scrubbed off, dressed in my warm pajamas. I pulled a blanket over me, once again feeling the coolness of the apartment after being warm and cozy beside Asher all evening. I hoped the heating wasn’t failing again. The building was so old, it seemed to happen more and more often.
I was looking forward to the weekend with him at his place. I could only imagine what his condo was like. I asked him if I could cook for him, and he had been enthusiastic, telling me to send him a list of what I needed and he would ensure it was there for me. AJ would love it. He adored Asher, and part of me worried about that, while another part of me knew Asher didn’t take that lightly. He assured me he had no plans on going anywhere.
I sighed as I rubbed my temples. I was falling for him. Fast. Hard.
I let out a small laugh.
Who was I kidding? I had already fallen. I’d fallen for him before Christmas was over. Maybe even the first day. I tried to recall how I lived before him, but everything seemed so black and white. I existed. Since he’d come into our lives, everything felt full of color. Of hope.
