Dex shook her head. “That’s completely unnecessary.”
Emma tilted her head and smiled. “I’d like to.”
Still hesitant, Dex gripped the top of the door with her hand.Emma covered it with hers. “Really. I would.”
“In that case, I’d hate to disappoint a beautiful woman.”
Again, surprised by the bounce in her stomach, Emma smiled.
Their conversation was sporadic as they traveled across town toDex’s house in Oak Park, a place Emma was quite familiar with, having grown upin the area. Even in the dark, she couldn’t help but notice the beautifullylandscaped front yard when they pulled up in front of the house.
She noted the stenciled logo on the side of the SUV parked in thedriveway. ScenicLandscaping and Design. Emma had seen a few yard signs on herparents’ street with the same logo.
“Wow. Did you design this?”
“Designed and installed,” she said with a subtle sense of pride.
“It’s so intricate, and it all flows together perfectly.”
She shrugged. “It’s what I do.”
Emma got out of the car and wandered up the pathway to the doorbefore she turned around to take it all in. “You’re very talented.”
As they stood at the front door, surrounded by sweet aromaticroses in the beds by the house, Emma could see the blush rising in Dex’scheeks. It was as though the moon had created the perfect ambience just forthem. Emma stopped resisting and leaned in for a kiss. Dex’s lips were soft andsweet, with just a taste of coffee still left on them. When Dex’s hands went toEmma’s cheeks, she thought maybe it was too much, too soon. She was pleasantlysurprised by the warmth of Dex’s tongue as it passed through her lips. Sheslipped her arms around Dex’s waist and pulled her closer, desperately wantingmore contact. She fought to keep her hands from inching up Dex’s shirt as thekiss deepened, their tongues mingling gently. All of Emma’s senses wereheightened to an intense level, ready to uncoil into a blissful pool ofsatisfaction with just the right touch. When they finally broke the kiss, theywere both hot and breathing hard.
Emma buzzed all over, and she sucked in a deep breath. “I had…”She had no words to explain just how she felt about the night, that kiss, andwhat this woman did to her.
“Me too.” Dex smiled. “Can I see you again?”
“Yes,” she blurted. “I mean, of course.” She put her hand out.“Let me see your phone, and I’ll put my number in it.”
Dex handed her the phone, and she typed in her number and handedit back. Dex quickly typed in something.
“I sent you a text so you’ll have mine too.” This was a clear signthat they’d made a connection. Dex opened the door and stood in the threshold.“I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”
She moved closer and brushed a stray strand of hair from Dex’sface. She needed to go now, or else she was going to push Dex through thatdoor, take her to the closest piece of furniture, and make her scream withpleasure.
“Sure. That’d be great.” She swung around and walked to her car.At least she thought she was walking, though at this moment, she felt like shewas floating. She would definitely thank Brent for this one.
* * *
Dex watched Emma drive away before she closed the door and droppedagainst it. Her legs were as pliable as the spandex covering them. The megaearth-shattering kiss had rattled her so much she’d had a hard time unlockingthe door. She took in a deep breath and went into the kitchen, picking up hercat and scratching her belly on the way. “This one’s promising, Panda.” Herblack-and-white face held its usual indifference to the attention. She kissedher on the nose and then let her jump to the floor. Dex had been totallyprepared for this evening to be a disaster, just like all the previous datesGrace had set up for her over the past week.
But the chemistry with Emma was unreal. They’d talked abouteverything from books to food to basketball. And the banter was ridiculouslyfun. With every witty line of dialogue she fired at her, Emma returnedsomething wittier. The girl was not only beautiful, but she also had smarts.Emma had received her MBA at Northwestern University, and even though Dex hadreceived hers from the University of Chicago, she wouldn’t hold it against her.They’d found they both liked unique and sometimes quirky modern art and agreedto go to the Museum of Contemporary Art sometime in the future. Even when Gracehad dragged her away to help in the kitchen, Emma had pitched right in withoutcomplaining. Dex hadn’t had that much fun with another woman in a long time.And the kiss was off-the-charts sizzling. Had Emma felt it too?
Her phone chimed and she glanced at the screen. A text from Emma.
Metoo. It was an incredible night. I hope we can do it again soon.
The sentence was punctuated with a smiley face at the end. Dex’sstomach fluttered. Question answered.
Chapter Eleven
Dex’s phone chimed on her bedside table. She picked it upand read the message from Grace.
Hey,sleepyhead. Wake up. I’m about to be at your front door.
Dex moved Panda from her legs to her side and slid out of bed. “Iknow. It’s not even eight yet,” she said in response to the cat’s protest. Shetugged on her sweatpants and trotted down the steps. She wasn’t expecting tosee Grace today, and definitely not this early. She checked her reflection inthe mirror hanging in the front entryway and finger-combed her hair before sheopened the door.
“Hey. What are you doing here so early?”
“Are you alone?” Grace peered around her after she entered.
“Technically, no. Panda is still in bed and not very happy thatyou woke us up.”
“I thought maybe you and Emma…”
“Sadly, no.” Dex sighed. “I slept alone. Just like every othernight.”
“Didn’t you two have a good time last night?”
“Actually, yes, but she only dropped me off. She didn’t stay.” Sheclosed the door and followed Grace into the kitchen, where she perched on oneof the breakfast-bar stools. “Did you expect her to spend the night?” Maybethere was something more she needed to know
