Love Me Nots (Jasper Falls 3)

Frowning at her reflection, she bent forward and plumped her boobs then groaned. “I look like I’m trying to get laid.” The girl in the mirror rolled her eyes as if to say, “Duh.”

Gage arrived at five. When she opened the door, he surprised her with flowers. She figured such things were customary on dates, but since she assumed this was more of a booty call, she figured there’d be less formalities.

“You look stunning.”

She laughed nervously. “Thanks.” She accepted the flowers and smiled at the sight of yellow daisies. They were her favorite. “I’ll put these in some water, then we can go.”

As she filled a vase, he looked around her apartment. “How long have you lived here?”

“Since we bought the bar. It’s just easier to be close by. That, and it’s nicer than living with my parents.”

He chuckled. “What made you change your mind about going to dinner with me?”

“Oh, um…” She fussed with the flowers, trying to arrange them evenly. “I…” She flinched as his hands closed over her shoulders.

“You seem nervous.”

Her heart was beating against her ribs like a trapped bird. “A little.”

“Why?”

She licked her lips. “It’s…been a while since anyone’s…”

“Kissed you?” he asked, lips close to her ear.

Her lashes lowered. “Yes.”

“Well, why don’t we get that out of the way then?” His breath was a velvet tickle along her throat as he slowly turned her and gently lifted her chin.

Her insides trembled as he lowered his face, brushing warm, soft lips over hers. He teased her mouth open with slow, seductive licks, and she whimpered, her eyes closing. The first stroke of his tongue to hers unraveled something inside of her and her knees softened. His strong arm banded around her back as he pulled her front to his, deepening the kiss.

She couldn’t think or navigate the emotions racing through her, so she let him take the lead. He kissed like it was the main course. If he put that much effort into the first move, she couldn’t imagine how thoughtful he’d be about making love.

As he slowly broke away, he stared into her eyes. She was drunk on lust and soft with need. She giggled, because her brain seemed made of Jell-O. “Wow.”

“Yeah.”

Maybe they should skip dinner and do more of that. They could order in, get the sex thing out of the way, and finish up with pizza. She had a few menus in the drawer. Did they even need pizza? Not really. My God, one kiss and she’d become the Jasper Falls slut of the month.

“Ready?”

“Bed?” Her face flamed as the word fell out of her mouth. “Red.” What? “Ready,” she covered.

He chuckled and took her hand, walking her to the door. “Coat? It’s a little chilly this evening.”

“Oh.” She searched for her coat, staring at the coat-tree but too addled to move. He reached past her, pulled it off the hook, and held it out. Slipping her arms through the sleeves, she giggled again. What the hell was wrong with her?

Once in his car, she tried to find her bearings. How would she get through a meal without her brains? She crossed her legs, hoping to suffocate her lady parts and find some sense of balance again. When he turned off Main Street and onto the exit for the interstate, she frowned.

“Where are we going?”

“To dinner.”

“I assumed we were eating somewhere in town.”

He glanced at her and smiled. “You said you like deep-dish pizza. I know a great place.”

“Oh.”

They drove for a few miles. “Music?” he asked.

“Sure.”

He pressed a button on the steering wheel and cello filled the car from speakers hidden throughout. It was a rendition of Beethoven but redone with modern elements.

“You like classical music?”

He smiled. “I like the vibe of it, the seductive power that builds.”

“Oh.” She wondered if he’d laugh at her music collection. Her most played song still remained Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy.

She wondered how much of him was actually genuine and how much was image. Being from foster homes and never really belonging to anyone had to have an effect on a person. Maybe he was trying to be something he thought the world would find irresistible. He was doing pretty well at that, but he was also intimidating as hell.

“So, what’s wrong with you?” she blurted.

He gave her a double take and laughed. “Pardon?”

“What’s your baggage? There has to be something wrong with you.”

“You want me to tell you my flaws?”

“Yeah. You seem a little too…shiny.”

His eyes focused on the road and he smiled. “I don’t like ice cream.”

“Pull over. I’m getting out.”

He laughed. “Is that a deal breaker for you?”

“You don’t like ice cream? Like, all ice cream?”

“It’s too cold. It makes me cough.”

“Disgusting.”

He chuckled. “How about you?”

“Oh, I’m easy. I don’t like people who don’t like ice cream.”

His eyes creased at the corners, and when he turned that smile on her, it penetrated her ovaries. “You’re funny. Quick. I like that.”