They shared the rest of the tacos and drank their beers beforethey went back to the mushroom-taco stand. Dex bought more tacos to go for thejazz festival later, and Emma grabbed a card from the booth with therestaurant’s name. They’d definitely have to try these again.
Strolling around, they just happened upon the Mexican wrestling.Emma was surprised at how entertaining it was. The colorful masks alone made itworth watching. The rapid sequences of holds and maneuvers the wrestlersperformed enthralled Dex, as did the high-flying tactics they used on eachother. At one point the wrestlers ended up outside the ring, chasing each otherthrough the crowd.
After that show, they picked up an apple strudel and found themusic stage where they settled into a few open chairs close to the front. Dexlaid her arm across the top of Emma’s chair, and Emma settled into her. Emmatingled when Dex curled her hand around her shoulder and pulled her closer.
They never made it to the jazz festival, which was fine. Emma wascomfortable right where she was, barely touching Dex in the chair next to herand enjoying her company. At one point, Dex ran to the beverage stand to get acouple more beers, and they ate the mushroom tacos she’d bought while watchingthe band play.
The sun had faded over an hour earlier, and it had begun to getchilly. They’d listened to a few sets before the wind picked up, but then Emmashivered as a gust came across her shoulders. Dex must have felt it because shepulled Emma closer and pressed her head against Emma’s.
“It’s getting kinda cold. You ready to go?”
Emma hesitated before she leaned back and stared into Dex’s eyes.“I guess we should.” She didn’t want the day to end, but if they didn’t leavenow they’d get caught in the hordes of people leaving and would probably getstuck sitting in traffic for hours. Yet that honestly didn’t sound so bad aslong as she was stuck with Dex.
* * *
Emma walked Dex to her door, which was probably a bad move if shewanted to keep the pace slow. What she did want was another one of thoseheart-stopping kisses. When Dex invited her in for coffee, she wasn’t sure sheshould accept. The night could turn out very differently than she’d planned,and she really needed to stay on course with this one. She didn’t want thingsto happen too quickly, or she might just get her heart broken. There was alwaysthe risk of that happening anyway, but she’d been through that before andwanted to shield herself from heartache as much as possible.
As soon as they were in the door, all her restraint flew from hermind when Dex pulled her into a steaming kiss. Their tongues moved in motion asthough they were made for the same mouth. Her hands went to Dex’s waist andpulled her closer. She wanted, no, she needed more contact. She tugged theshirt from the waistband of Dex’s pants, only to find a tank top underneath.She growled and pulled the cotton fabric loose, then swept her hands across thesmooth, warm skin. She popped the buttons on Dex’s shirt to gain more access,and her hand went immediately to her breast, which fit perfectly in her palm.Dex let out a soft moan and Emma was instantly wet.
Somehow they made it to the couch and Dex fell backward onto it,pulling Emma on top of her. Dex’s leg was between Emma’s, and she pressed intoit as she pushed up Dex’s shirt and reclaimed her breast in her palm. She wastrailing her mouth down Dex’s neck on her way to it when she felt a thud on herback.
Emma immediately stopped and widened her eyes. “Uh. What’s on myback?”
“Damn it.” Dex reached around her and plucked something from herback. A cat. A big black-and-white cat. “Sorry. She likes to be involved.” Sheset her on the floor beside them.
Emma chuckled. “In everything?”
Dex flattened her lips and pulled her eyebrows together. “You haveno idea.”
Emma sat up and ran her hand down the cat’s back. “She’s cute.”
“And annoying,” Dex added.
“What’s your name, little girl?” Emma rubbed her behind the ears.
“Panda. Because, well, you know.”
“I can see the resemblance.” Panda jumped into Emma’s lap andsettled. “I think she wants me to go, so you can give her some attention.”
“Way to be a terrible wingman, buddy.” Dex bent to eye level withthe cat. “You really don’t have to go.”
Dex glanced up, and Emma was caught by the startling yellowclusters radiating within Dex’s emerald-green eyes. She shifted and tried toignore the desire the sight provoked within her. “Yeah, I think I do. I have anearly day tomorrow, and if I stay, I don’t think I’ll get much sleep.” Truestatement. Neither of them would. It would be a Monday from hell, but Emma hada feeling it would be totally worth it.
Panda jumped to Dex’s lap as Emma stood and searched for her coat.Her cheeks warmed when Dex pointed to it on the floor.
“Oh, my. How did that happen?” Once they’d made it inside, she’dbeen totally focused on the earth-shattering kiss that came next. Clearly, themomentum was intense. They’d made it to the couch at light speed, memorieserased on the way. Both of their coats had come off, as well as Dex’s flannelbutton-down, which she picked up and slid across her shoulders.
Dex shook her head and smiled. “I honestly don’t remember.”
Emma curled the edges of Dex’s shirt into her palms and pulled hercloser. “You’re a really fun date. You know that?”
“It could get a lot funner.” Dex let out a low groan and kissedher.
Emma let the tingle consume her from head to toe before she brokeaway. “I don’t doubt that in the least.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “But Ineed to go.” She spun around to pick up her coat, but
