Heated Rush - Leslie Kelly [37]
She got it as soon as the door swung shut behind the last child and his stammering, apologetic parents.
“That was him, right? Damn, I didn’t get a good look.”
Rushing around to pick up the few remaining toys scattered in the room, Annie nodded. “It was him.”
“What did he want?” Looking fierce, her friend snapped, “He’d better not be bailing out on you, not the night before you’re supposed to go away together!”
Fierce, fiery and flamboyant. That described Tara.
“No, he’s not. He just wants to get together and make sure we have our stories straight.”
“Smart move.” Tara grinned. “You might want to do him, too, just to make sure you’re totally comfortable with each other. Or at least kiss him, because, you know, if he’s a sucky kisser, you don’t want to be surprised into gagging or something.”
She hadn’t told Tara about her two dates with Sean. Though she usually told her friend everything, this whole thing was just too new—too private—to be girl-talked about.
“Doing him is out of the question,” she said. At least until Sunday. “And he’s definitely not a sucky kisser.”
It was only when she heard a smothered male cough behind her that she realized they were no longer alone. Casting Tara a glare that promised extreme retribution, she slowly turned around and saw Sean standing inside the door. He’d probably heard every word she’d said.
Unfortunately, the tables in Baby Daze were much smaller than the ones at the hotel had been. So there was no ducking beneath one of them to escape the humiliation of the moment.
“Door was unlocked,” Sean explained, his eyes twinkling. Yeah, he’d definitely overheard.
“That’s fine, we were just finishing up,” Tara said as she strode toward him, extending her hand. “I’m Tara. I was at the auction, too. So I know who you are, meaning, uh, if you try any nasty stuff, I’ll turn the cops on you like a hunter loosing his dogs.”
“Go away, Tara,” Annie mumbled, not even sparing her friend a glance.
“Well, then, now that you’ve been warned, it was nice to meet you.” Tara gave Sean a big smile, as if she hadn’t just threatened him with bodily harm. Before she left, however, she turned back to Annie. “You’re right. The earring is way sexy.” Then she walked out the door.
Annie followed her out, avoiding the moment when she’d have to face Sean and see the laughter on his face. Locking the door, she flipped off the main lights, which killed the sign outside, as well as the overhead fluorescents in the building. Finally, when she had no more reason to delay, she turned around to face the music.
The large playroom in which they stood was plunged nearly into darkness, remaining dimly lit by the spillover from her office and the kitchen. No longer bright and welcoming, the room became a shapeless cave of shadows, interrupted here and there by the sunny yellow of the doll house or the colorful plastic balls piled in the enormous ball pit the kids loved to play in.
“So I’m not a sucky kisser, eh?” He’d moved close—close enough that she could feel his warmth, though she hadn’t spotted him as her eyes adjusted to the change in lighting. “I’m relieved to know I don’t make you gag.”
Dropping her head, Annie sighed and closed her eyes.
He touched her chin, brushing his fingertips across her skin as if savoring its softness, then tugged her head up and murmured, “But why, may I ask, is ‘doing me’ out of the question?”
“You weren’t supposed to hear that.”
“The question remains.”
“Third date, remember? We’re practically strangers.”
That was true, but she had to be honest with herself. She already felt sure she knew his character very well…and she wanted him with a desperation that made her burn down to her core.
“I’m holding you to the third date promise,” he said. “And I’m here to remedy the strangers issue. Even you won’t be able to argue that for much longer…”
Argue? Was she arguing? No, she was just putting up a few minor defenses, knowing that if she didn’t, she’d be throwing her arms around his shoulders, begging him to get to know