While these thoughts were swirling in her head, the music changed to a much slower song. Thrilled that he didn’t just grab her but instead held his arms out and tilted his head to the side in an open invitation, she stepped closer and lifted her hands to his shoulders. His hands slid around her waist, and she reveled in his embrace. As the song continued, they swayed back and forth in each other’s arms, her cheek resting against his chest. After a moment, she felt the slight pressure of his cheek now resting on the top of her head.
Wrapped in his arms, she was barely aware when the song ended. Leaning her head back, she inwardly purred with warmth moving through her at being close to his body. At least, she hoped the purr was inward.
“You look flushed,” he said, bending his face closer, his eyes peering deeply into hers. “Are you all right? Do you need some air?”
Her usual flirty quip died on her lips. “Yeah,” she whispered. “Air would be good.”
With his arm around her shoulder, he guided her toward the front, his free hand outstretched to help part the crowd.
“I usually just dart between people.”
He chuckled. “You’re like Tinkerbell… small enough to flit everywhere. And before you think I’m weird, that was my sister’s favorite character.” As they reached the door, he looked down at her. “But truthfully, you’re beautiful enough that the crowd should simply part for you.”
She sucked in a quick breath, her gaze once more ensnared by his. “Wow, if that was a line, it was your best one yet.”
“It’s no line.” He opened the door and escorted her outside. She nodded toward her vehicle parked down the street and they fell into step, her heels clicking on the sidewalk.
Once they reached her small SUV, he turned and leaned his back against the side, his legs separated enough for her to step close, placing her hands on his shoulders. She had no idea what to do next. Ask if he’d like to go somewhere to get something to eat? Ask if he’d like to have her phone number? She understood the rules inside the bar for flirting. Laugh, toss her hair over her shoulder, offer a bright smile or smoldering look. But anything beyond the safe confines of a group made her unsure.
He lifted a hand and cupped her face, gliding his fingers through her hair as his thumb swept over her cheek. He leaned forward, stopping when his lips were a whisper away from hers. With his warm breath puffing against her face, he said, “This is as far as I go. Now, it’s all up to you.”
A man handing her that kind of control caused her breath to hitch and her fingers to clutch his shoulders. Refusing to spend any more time thinking, she leaned in, her lips melding with his. The kiss may have started slow, but it soon flamed as his hands tightened around her back and she dug her fingers into his shoulders. A buzzing filled her ears as an electric current moved from her lips to her breasts before heading straight to her core.
With the angle he was leaning against her vehicle, she was pressed almost flush against his body as she rested against him. And yet he didn’t grab her ass or grind his pelvis against her. Instead, she simply felt embraced.
For all her outgoing, flirtatious nature, kissing was rare for Sandy. As his strong lips moved over hers, she sighed. He took advantage of her mouth opening and slid the tip of his tongue inside as though still asking for permission. Emboldened, she tangled her tongue with his, and when the dam broke, their kiss grew wild.
The sound of people walking past finally reached her ears, and she lifted her head, almost surprised to remember they were still on the street, standing at her car. Holding his gaze, she panted, “Wow.”
His lips, already curved into a smile, stretched wider. “You can say that again.”
She licked her lips, the tingle from their kiss still making them sensitive. Just as she opened her mouth to beg him for more, he placed his hands gently on her shoulders and settled her so that her legs were steady underneath her.
“I really want to see you again,” he admitted. “Hell, I want to see more of you right now. But just like a cheesy pickup line would never work on you, I want to be a gentleman. So I’m gonna walk away… for now.”
Disappointment speared through her, battling the admiration she felt as his words settled deep. Knowing he was right, she nodded and stepped back so that he could move away from her SUV. Pulling out her keys, she threw open the door and then turned. Offering a huge smile that came straight from deep inside, she said, “I can’t wait to see you again, either.”
With his hand on her waist, he leaned forward and kissed her cheek, right by the edge of her mouth. “See you soon. Be safe.”
With a quick nod, she slid into the driver’s seat, and he closed her door. Tossing him a little wave, she pulled out onto the road. Keeping her gaze on the rearview mirror, she watched as he stayed on the sidewalk until she turned the corner and could see him no more. Biting her lip, she grinned. “A lady always leaves a man wanting more.”
“Okay, Grandmother, I did. But it left me wanting more as well.”
4
Rory watched Sandy drive off and sucked in a deep breath of air, glad that the bracing slap of the breeze gave him a chance to cool off before he went back into the bar. Walking toward the door, he looked up and saw Bill returning from taking Harper home.
With a smirk on his face, Bill asked, “Damn, man, you and Sandy were going
