Page 23 of Up in Flames

“Shit,” I murmur, then quickly type back a reply.

Me:Looking forward to it, see you soon.

I hurry around to prepare, decide what to wear, and then quickly apply a thin layer of makeup. I want to make an effort for him. Rushing out of my room, I pick up my laptop and slide it into my laptop bag. My purse and cell slip into the bag too, and I bolt out of the apartment, heading for the elevator.

I’m ridiculously excited about seeing Cain again. My heart races, and butterflies are performing the tango in my stomach.

A note is stuck to the windshield when I get closer to my Thunderbird. Raising my brow, I peel it off and glance around the parking lot but see no one.

I thought I would do a once over on Gertie to ensure she’s good to go and won’t let you down. She checks out beautifully.

C x

A chuckle escapes me as I think about Gertie and her temperamental issues. I shove the note into my bag and open the car to slide in. My bag goes over to the passenger side, and I start the drive toward the park.

The day is beautiful, slightly overcast, as clouds occasionally darken the blue sky. The sun is trying to shine through the breaks in the billowing gray mounds, sending beams of light down in sections, giving the day a heavenly effect. It’s a little chilly, but I know Cain’s warmth will heat me up.

After parking, I step out of the car and walk toward the park.

There is no doubt the smile on my face is wide as my cheeks ache slightly. Glancing at the few trees sporadically placed around the park, I spot Cain under the biggest one. He’s leaning against it, sitting on a red and white checkered blanket, wearing aviator sunglasses, jeans, a black singlet, and a leather jacket. That man looks ridiculously good, so I stand and stare briefly, taking in the incredible view.

Eventually, he looks up and smiles. “You going to stand there all day and stare at me?”

Instantly, I blush. I can’t believe he knew I was here.

Cain taps the blanket, and I walk over to him. “Hey muse, how are you?” I ask playfully.

He chuckles, spreading his legs so I can sit between them. Taking off my bag from over my shoulder, I lay it next to him on the blanket. Turning, I sit myself between his legs, my back against his chest. Cain wraps his arms around my waist, one holding me tightly, the other holding his book.

“What are you reading, Mr. Barrington?” I move the cover slightly so I can see the front. My breath catches, and I let out a loud giggle. He chuckles while my cheeks flush red hot, and I pull my lips together in amusement, trying not to break out into hysterical laughter.

“Really? You’re reading theKamasutrain public?”

He grins, nodding his head. “Yeah, why not?” He rests his chin on my shoulder.

I shake my head and say nothing more about it, then open my laptop bag. “So, muse, tell me, what should I write about today?”

Cain leans in, kissing behind my ear, and I smile at the contact of his soft, warm lips against my heightened skin.

“There are a few positions in this book you can write about if you want.”

I smack his leg, and he laughs as I pull out my laptop and open the lid, resting it on my lap. “How do you even know that’s what I write? I might be a children’s author, for all you know.”

He chuckles low and throaty. It’s deeply sexual as his tongue softly slides from the base of my neck up to under my ear lobe, then he takes it into his mouth, tugging gently, causing a shiver and goose bumps to pebble my entire body.

“Because you shouldn’t write anything other than romance. It’s who you are.”

I raise my brow in amusement. “Romance is who I am?”

He sucks on my ear lobe again.

That’s incredibly distracting!

Clenching my thighs together, I can’t help the tingling sensations he brings out in me.

“Yes, you exude romance. You make me want to be romantic,” he admits.

“I do?” I ask, my stomach fluttering from his words.

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