I cock a brow and ignore the fluttering in my stomach. “Am I?”
He nods once and finishes his drink, then waves the waiter over and gives him his card.
“I need to walk off some of this energy,” he says after he signs the check.
“Let’s walk over to Café du Monde,” I suggest. “I could use some sugar.”
He takes my hand and leads me down the street. “Me too.” He kisses my head, and I know he’s not talking about the same sugar I am.
I grin and hold his hand tightly, enjoying our banter and our conversation.
Enjoying him.
“I’m so damn tired.” I’m in his car later that night, my head leaning back. I roll my head on the headrest so I can look at him. “You’re really here.”
He glances at me and grins. “I’m here.”
“Crazy. Turn left at that light.” It’s dark now. We spent all day in the Quarter, eating, shopping.
Wandering.
We talked endlessly and laughed more than I have in years. I loved showing him my city.
“I’m up here on the right. The yellow house.” I point to my place and smile. I know that I’m not home much, spending most of my time at work, but I love my house.
“This is a beautiful neighborhood,” Simon says as he pulls into my driveway. “Where’s your car?”
“At work,” I reply and yawn. “I’ll get it tomorrow.”
“What time do you go to work?”
“I’ll leave here around nine. That gives me an hour to settle in at the shop before I open.”
He nods and pulls himself out of the rental, circles the car, and opens my door.
“Help.” I hold my hand out to him and he practically pulls me out and onto my feet. “I think I’ll sleep well tonight.”
“Good.” He kisses my nose and follows me up the steps to my front door. I unlock it, but before I can push it open, he turns me around and kisses me chastely, and pulls away.
“If you’re going to kiss a girl, kiss her right.” I grip his shirt in my fist and pull him back to me, kissing him the way I’ve wanted to all day. Our mouths are hungry for each other, devouring lips and tongues. My leg climbs up around his hip, and the next thing I know, I’m boosted up against the door, his hand is up my skirt and on my bare ass, and I’m ready for him fuck me right here, in front of all of Louisiana.
Suddenly, he lowers me to my feet, kisses my forehead, and backs away, panting and swallowing hard.
He pushes his hand through his hair and smiles. “Good night, Charlotte.”
“Good night?” I’m shocked. “You’re not coming in?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “I told you, I’m not just here for sex.”
“Let’s be honest, Simon, we’re both adults and the chemistry is off the charts.”
“I took you out today, and I loved every minute of it. We have chemistry, yes, but it’ll still be here in the morning.”
“You’re seriously going.” It’s not a question.
“While I still can.” He reaches out to touch me, but thinks better of it, and walks down the steps toward his car.
I watch him pull away, then walk into my house. This is not what I expected at all. I thought we’d spend the night together and I’d be dead on my feet tomorrow from lack of sleep, but blissfully aware of every sore muscle in my body from the workout Simon would give me.
I’m torn between being offended and grateful.
I walk up to my bedroom and immediately shed my shoes and dress, then pull on yoga pants and a tank and wash my face.
He didn’t stay.
My body is still on fire as I crawl between the sheets and flip through the photos we took today on my phone. Selfies in the Quarter. Both of us smiling happily at the camera. In one, Simon kissed my cheek.
He’s here. He’s not staying tonight, and he’s completely knocked me off my feet.
My doorbell is ringing.
I come abruptly awake and wake my phone to look at the time.
Eight-thirty. Damn it, I was supposed to be up an hour ago.
I’ve also missed one call and three texts from Simon.
I pad downstairs, not in any hurry, and open the door, blinking against the sunlight and a fresh-faced Simon, smiling and holding a brown paper bag and a drink carrier full of delicious-smelling coffee.
“Good morning, love,” he says. “I was getting worried when you didn’t answer this morning.”
I yawn again and step back, giving him room to come inside. I close the door behind him and lead him back to the sunroom off the kitchen. The furniture in here is colorful and comfortable, and this is where I like to start every day.
“Are you not speaking to me?”