She half-turned and looked up at me. “No. Why?”
“Because you’re awfully flirty.”
Her cheeks turned pink again.
“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”
“No, Mr. Clever… uh…”
“Mr. Clever Uh,” I teased. “That has a nice ring to it.”
“I’m not as quick as you are with words. So sue me.”
“Can I use you instead?”
Her eyes widened in shock and surprise, but she didn’t immediately bolt.
“Think about it,” I said calmly. “Sue, S-U-E. Rearrange the letters and
you get…?”
“Oh! Use! Ha ha. Okay. I thought you were saying…”
“I know. Although I sorta meant it like that too. I wouldn’t mind using you. In all
She blushed and faced the sink again.
“But you still haven’t told me why you’re being so flirty.”
“Well, if you
“I must, I must.”
“Well, if you must know,” she repeated, “I’m in a good mood.”
“Oh. Okay. What’s up?”
She shrugged. “I’m just happy is all.”
I thought I knew why, but I didn’t press her on it.
She grabbed a bottle of lotion from the shelf above the toilet. She squirted some into her palm and lifted one foot to the toilet lid. She rubbed the lotion into her smooth, firm calf. Then she slid her hands up her thigh.
I watched out of the corner of my eye. Part of me—okay,
was hoping to get a glimpse of the promised land. She was too conscious of what she was doing to give me a free show, but she definitely noticed me watching.
“Would you do my back?” She handed me the lotion and turned away.
Then she strategically lowered her towel wrap. She stopped when it reached the top of her butt.
“Oh, you’re good.”
She grinned over her shoulder. “Have to keep
“The only surprise I’m going to have on my wedding night,” I said as I squirted lotion into my palm, “is that the woman of my dreams actually married me.”
I rubbed the lotion into her skin. It was smooth and flawless, with a light dusting of freckles. She pulled her hair aside, and I massaged her shoulders and neck. She closed her eyes and moaned softly, so I took my time. After a minute I squirted more lotion and continued down her back.
“So tell me,” I said conversationally, “what makes you think you’ll be able to
“I have a lot of willpower.”
Her breathing had grown quicker, and my hands felt the lie. I chuckled
and rubbed the top of her butt. She relaxed when my hands slowly moved up her sides. My fingertips came to rest just under her armpits. I could’ve easily reached around to cup her breasts. She must’ve been thinking the same thing, because she held her breath. I grinned and bent my lips to her shell-like ear.
“I have a lot of patience,” I said softly. “Which do you think will win?”
“My willpower.”
“Uh-uh. Guess again.”
“Your patience?” she said automatically.
“Mmm hmm.” I kissed her ear. A moment later I deliberately shattered the mood. “Want me to do your front?”
She blew out her breath. Then she pulled up her towel and tucked it securely over her breasts. She whirled around, but I caught her before she could push past me. I held her close and waited until she looked up.
“I really am patient,” I said. “And I’m completely serious about the secrets… we won’t have any on our wedding night.”
We made dinner in companionable silence, punctuated by plenty of smiles.
Christy broiled salmon steaks and cooked rice pilaf. Wren had left everything with instructions. I poured the wine and fixed a bowl of salad, no instructions required.
When everything was ready we took our plates into the dining room. On impulse, I searched drawers in the sideboard until I found what I was looking for. Then I made a production of fitting two long taper candles into holders.
“I thought we’d like some ambiance,” I said as I struck a match. “After all, it’s our first dinner alone together.”
“I’d’ve dressed nicer if I’d known,” Christy said. She was wearing a sky blue cashmere sweater that matched her eyes, along with light gray stirrup pants and dark blue leg warmers.
“Nah. You’re fine. At least you’re dressed nicer’n I am.” I gestured at my Park City sweatshirt and cutoff sweatpants.
“I dunno. I think you look ruggedly handsome.”
“Well then,” I said, and raised my glass, “to classically beautiful and ruggedly handsome.”
She laughed and clinked her glass against mine. Her eyes smiled at me over the rim as she drank.
“Oh ho!” I said. “Do I see flirty girl coming out?”
“Maybe,” she said coyly.
I refilled our glasses.
“We’d better eat before it gets cold,” she said.
We chatted about classes and projects as we did. Then we lingered over
the empty plates and finished the bottle of wine.
“Open another?” I suggested.
“Sure. Why not.”
“Let’s clean up first and then relax.”
“Okay.”
After we finished in the kitchen, we moved into the living room with our glasses and a fresh bottle of wine.
