It Started With a Kiss (Insta-Spark)

“As if I’d pass up the chance to see you? Dinner for sure. I’ll text you directions.”

“You want me to come around six?”

“Would you think less of me if I said I wanted you to pick up whatever you’re making and come as soon as you can?”

“Really?”

“The thought of walking in my door and seeing you in my kitchen making dinner for us, is kind of, ah, doing things to me. So, yeah, I’d like that. A lot.”

“Do I get a kiss hello?” I whispered.

“Hello, good evening, how are you, nice skirt, dinner smells great—any and all of them.”

“I’ll go shopping.”

“Perfect.”

“You didn’t ask me if I was a good cook, Daniel.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Maybe what I make will be inedible.”

The sexiest chuckle came over the line. “Then I guess I’ll just have to eat you.”

I dropped the phone.

I sat in my car, looking at Daniel’s clinic. It was a little way out of town, but still close enough to be convenient for his clients. Built to look like a general store, it had a homey, country feel to it. It was set back from the road with ample parking in the front and a simple sign that said Veterinarian Clinic. There was another sign labeling the side driveway Private, and I assumed Daniel’s house was down there, behind the clinic. He told me it was attached to a big garage that made the clinic easy access for him.

When he texted earlier, he instructed me to park out front and he would drive around back with me. He would show me where everything was, then he’d return to work while I made dinner for us.

We’d have the evening alone.

The thought alone made me shiver.

There would definitely be some kissing involved, right?

My fingers fumbled as I pressed the button to lower the window. The temperature had suddenly risen in my body again. I wasn’t sure I had felt anything but warm and flushed since I hung up from Daniel earlier.

When I picked up the phone, after dropping it, stuttering out an apology, he started chuckling. He snickered even harder when I asked him if he kept fava beans and Chianti on hand for eating guests. Once he stopped laughing, he assured me—in a very low, sexy voice—that was not the kind of eating he meant. He planned to devour me in an entirely different manner.

I dropped the phone again. He was howling so loud he could barely say goodbye.

A few minutes later he texted me, and I retrieved my phone from the floor.

Nom, nom, Avery.

Once again, the phone hit the ground.

I sighed when I picked it up. It wasn’t going to last at this rate.

I left the window open for a few minutes, needing the cool air on my overheated cheeks. I popped another peppermint in my mouth and chewed it, savoring the sweet, minty taste. Finally calmer, I walked up the path and into Daniel’s clinic.

I hesitated, stopping in the front entranceway. Should I ask for Daniel? Dr. Spencer?

Would they find it strange I didn’t have an animal with me?

A woman came out, holding a carrier with a small cat inside, and held the inner door for me.