“I wanted to drop by and see you. I missed you.”
“But I just saw you at work.”
“And it’s been hours since then.” Her insides warmed at his words. Maybe he wasn’t cheating on her after all. “Can I come in? Only for a minute?”
“Well... Okay. I’m actually dressed for bed.”
“That sounds enticing,” he teased as he slipped in past her. “But we really shouldn’t.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
He laughed. “But a guy can dream, right?”
“Spencer!”
“Okay, sorry.” He didn’t look the least bit contrite as he plopped down on her couch. She sat down next to him, eyeing him cautiously.
“How was the shelter?”
“I have a confession. I wasn’t at the shelter.” She held her breath waiting to hear the truth. “I’ve been playing basketball. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I was dying for some exercise, but I thought the shelter sounded better.” He turned his face up to hers, staring with dark brown puppy dog eyes. How could she resist him? He wasn’t losing interest; he only wanted some exercise. She loved his fit body, and she certainly didn’t begrudge him the time he spent doing sports and exercising.
“I’m sorry. Forgive me?” He leaned in and stole a kiss.
She jumped up in alarm. “Oh! You can’t do that. I mean, not here. I mean, not on the couch.”
He bounded up and examined the offending couch. “Why not?”
“It’s against the rules. No unsupported kissing.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Well, the first rule is: No private kissing. That’s one Mom gave us back in high school. That means you shouldn’t kiss in a place where you have too much privacy—like here, in the apartment. But then the backup rule is if you do kiss in a private place, you have to be supporting your own weight. You know—standing up. Not sitting or lying down. So... No unsupported kissing. It’s a rule to help you not have to depend on your willpower to stop, uhmm... to stop doing stuff.”
“Exactly how many of these dating rules do you have?”
“You think they’re stupid, don’t you?”
“No, I don’t. It’s just I don’t know the rules. I know you have rules to define what a date is. Are there other important rules I should know?”
She hesitated, aware of the heat radiating from her face. “There’s one that might be important. It’s save the white parts.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means... well... certain parts don’t ever get a suntan, so they’re white. And you save those for your husband.”
It was his turn to blush. “So you haven’t ever... I mean, you’ve followed the rules?”
By now her face must be glowing red. “Yes, I have. And I intend to keep following them. So, if that makes a difference to you, tell me now.”
“It does make a difference.” He wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. “It makes you more special.” He rubbed his hands gently up and down her back. “I’m glad to know the rules, and particularly glad you have a nice little tan on your back and your legs.”
“Spencer…” He smothered her protest with another kiss.
“It’s okay, we’re standing.”
She relaxed and reveled in the heady feeling that always overwhelmed her senses when he kissed her. His lips traveled down to her jaw. As her head fell back he moved his mouth below to the side of her neck. Her knees trembled. Her head was dizzy, and she would have slumped without his strong arms holding her weight.
He halted his assault and hugged her close again. “I think I like these rules, just fine.”