“Sounds wonderful. That is, if you don’t mind.” She followed Dexto the door and couldn’t help notice the way her hips swung ever so slightly asshe walked. So much sexiness to go with those gorgeous eyes.
“No, not at all,” Dex said, glancing over her shoulder, and withthat, Emma had been caught checking out the very nice ass in front of her.
Emma’s cheeks warmed when Dex smiled at her as she opened the doorand motioned her in front of her. She wasn’t usually so dude-like. Checking outwomen’s body parts wasn’t something she made a habit of doing, but there it wasright in front of her, packaged nicely in olive-green skinny jeans and lookingperfectly touchable. She’d had no control at that point. Her eyes had hijackedher mind and led the way to the glorious sight.
When they zigzagged through several people to the kitchen, theyfound Grace at the counter scraping spanakopita triangles from a pan she’d justremoved from the oven onto a tray. “Can you help me with these?” She motionedto another tray of wings in the open oven.
“Uh, sure.” Dex swiped the hot pad from the counter and took outthe tray. “Can you grab me that bowl,” she said to Emma and pointed to a brightorange, fiesta-style serving dish by the sink. “Where are your paper plates?”
“In the pantry.” She squealed. “I’m so overwhelmed here, Dex. Idon’t know what to do.”
“I’ll get them,” Emma said as she set the serving dish for thewings where Dex could get to it and then went in search of plates. She foundthe paper plates, plastic ware, and napkins in the pantry and set them all outon the counter with easy access for the guests.
The three of them had the rest of the food plated and on thedining-room table within fifteen minutes. Emma hadn’t realized how uselessBrent was at home. If Grace had been her wife, she would’ve been right in herehelping her get everything ready, which seemed to be what Dex had done. Shewatched the two of them interact as Dex handed Grace a glass of wine and thenpoured two cups of coffee from the press. Dex seemed to be a helluva prize inevery way.
Dex turned and caught her staring. “Sorry about that. Ready forthat tour now?” She handed her a cup before taking a sip from her own.
“Sounds wonderful. If you’re still up for it.”
“Absolutely.” Dex rounded the kitchen counter and led her throughthe living room and into the hallway. “This is the…I forget…what do they callit? Oh yes, the hallway.” She pointed at the crystal chandelier hanging fromthe ceiling. “The most elegant hallway I’ve ever frequented.” Her voice took ona British accent, and Emma let out a burst of laughter.
She led her to the guest bathroom next. “Here we have the loo.”She continued in the upper-crust dialect. “The elegant charm of the beveledmirrored vanity finished with crystal knobs centers the oversized room. But thepièce de résistanceis the decorative handmade Italian mirror.” Dex lightly tugged her in front ofthe mirror and captured her gaze in the reflection. “Where you can view themost beautiful of faces.”
Emma’s body sizzled in all the right places. Gorgeous and charming.
After going through a couple of other rooms listening to Dex’s Lifestyles of the Rich andFamous descriptions, Dex balked as they entered the master bedroom,and Emma walked right into her. Standing there alone, this close to Dex, madeher body heat soar. She was feeling things she hadn’t in a very long time. Thedark look in Dex’s eyes made an image of the two of them naked under the downcomforter fly through her head. If she’d known her for just a few weeks longer,Emma would’ve locked the door and taken advantage of their proximity. A newgift-set of sheets would’ve definitely been in order. She forced the image fromher mind and stepped back.
Dex cleared her throat. “And this would be the boudoir.” She movedher hand in a typical Vanna White motion, showing her the room. “Spacious yetcozy enough for the most intimate of trysts.” She seemed to purposely finishthis part of the tour quickly. Perhaps she was feeling the same heat as Emma.
When they returned to the living room, most of the guests hadleft, and it was almost eleven o’clock. Emma hadn’t realized they’d been awayfrom the actual party for so long. She glanced around at the few peoplestanding in scattered circles and suddenly felt sad that the night was about toend. Grace was out on the deck with Brent talking to another couple and, fromthe motion of her arms, seemed to be explaining something vividly.
She took her empty cup into the kitchen. “I guess I’d better getgoing.”
“Oh, so soon?” Dex twisted her wrist to check her watch. “Wow. Ididn’t realize it was that late. Can I walk you to your car?”
“I’d love that.” Emma was surprised at just how much she’dlove that.
“Give me just a minute.” She rushed outside to Grace and told hershe was leaving. From what Emma could hear, Grace wasn’t happy. She wascomplaining about cleaning up, but Brent put his arm around her and shooed Dexwith his hand. He looked over at Emma and waved. “We got this. I’ll see youMonday.”
She smiled and was surprised at the dip her stomach took when Dexcame back her way. Slowdown, Em.
“Did you bring a coat?”
“No. I didn’t think it was going to get this cold.”
“No worries. You can wear mine.” Dex reached into the closet,pulled out a down jacket, and held it up for her to slide an arm inside. “I’lljust wear one of Grace’s.”
Givingup her coat for me? Could she get any sweeter?
They were both quiet as they walked to Emma’s car. She pushed theremote and the car chirped. “This is me.” Emma glanced around at the lack ofcars left on the street. “Did you drive?”
“Nah, I took the L. It’s just a couple of blocks away.”
“You can’t be out walking at this time of night. That’sdangerous.”
Dex opened the door for her. “I’ll be fine.”
She hit the unlock button for the
