S. K. Lessly's Book Excerpts

Excerpt

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“Have dinner with me tonight?”

 

My finger traced along the contours of her face as she looked at me.

 

“Do you want to go to some foo-foo restaurant again?”

 

I laughed lightly. “No, nothing like that. I want you to come to my place. Let me cook for you.”

 

Misty tilted her head away from me skeptically. “You want to cook for me?”

 

“Yes, and don’t look at me like that. I do know how to cook. So, what do you say?”

 

Misty’s eyes darted left and right, but she remained quiet for a spell. I didn’t take it to mean anything but her contemplating if she could handle that type of setting. 

 

It had been a while since she and I had gone out. I wanted to spend every waking second with the woman I had fallen for. I needed it…needed her more than I needed to breathe.

 

Finally, she breathed out a sigh and smiled softly. Shit, that gesture damn near had me confessing my inner most feelings to her right then. The look in her eyes had my heart in my throat. The sound of her voice had me choking on said heart too. 

 

“Okay, that sounds like a plan.”

 

My smile grew wide and I gave her a quick peck. 

 

“Don’t look so nervous. It’s just dinner.”

 

“I know it is. I was just thinking about what time I would need to leave in the morning for work from my parents’ house. At least they live close to work.”

 

“Ahhh, and why do you think after dinner you’ll be leaving my apartment?”

 

She frowned at me and actually looked confused. “What do you mean? After hanging out with you until God knows when, I’m not going to feel like driving back to my place in the middle of the night. I’d then have to turn right back around and fight through traffic to get back to the city. I might as well stay in the city at my parents’ house.”

 

I shook my head at her naiveté. “Sweetheart, please believe when I say that after dinner, I will be having you for dessert. There’s no telling how long I’ll feast on your gorgeous body before I’m full. Why don’t

you pack a bag and leave from my place in the morning?”

 

Her eyes widened. “You want me to spend the night?”

 

I laughed. “Baby, it’s not like we haven’t done it before.”

 

“I know but—”

 

“Look, bring an overnight bag.” Hell, bring all your shit, popped into my head and I shivered at the thought. Not that it was a bad idea, but at the mere truth behind my words. 

 

I cleared my throat and added, “I have soap, towels, washcloths, toothpaste, and a toothbrush if you forget yours. Whatever you need, I

have.”

 

She gave me that skeptical look again. “So, you want me to like spend the night, wake up with you, have breakfast, coffee, and ride to work together?”

 

I shrugged. “Pretty much. I mean if you don’t want to ride together that’s fine. You can drive yourself, but the rest of it, yes.” I could see she was on the fence, so I gave her a little push. “Either that or after dinner I ride with you to your parents’ and figure out how to sneak up to your bedroom.”

 

She laughed and shook her head at me. She had no idea how serious I was with that declaration. I wanted her in my arms where she belonged as much as humanly possible. I didn’t care where she went. I would be right by her side.

 

“Shane, you know that sounds crazy, you trying to stay with me at my parents’ house. My father would kill you."

 

“Then I guess it’s settled.” I kissed her forehead and lightly kissed her nose. “You’ll be staying with me.”

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