He pulled back with another small groan. “Josh. Other room. I’d better stop while I can.”
“Um, hm.” She turned and curled against his side wanting another kiss as badly as he did, but knowing it was time to stop. For now. But, oh, how she wanted some time alone with him. To explore her feelings. To taste his kisses. To feel his hands on her. Another time. Another place. She just hoped it was soon.
Her next thoughts were filled with guilt. Then she could almost hear her friend Lynn’s voice chastising her, telling her to just enjoy the moment. She relaxed and decided to listen to Lynn, even if she wasn’t even here.
CHAPTER NINE
Holly stood in front of the mirror in her room and held up a simple denim skirt, a pair of black slacks, a handful of sweaters. Nothing seemed right. Steve had called the next day and said Josh was spending the night at a friend’s house again and invited her to dinner. That was a problem. She had nothing to wear. She’d packed practical clothes for work. Nothing nice. Nothing sexy at all, darn it. She finally decided on a simple coral colored corduroy shirt and a heavy silver necklace with her jeans. Comfortable cowboy boots. Passable.
She pulled her hair back in a French braid with a few tendrils of hair framing her face. A touch of mascara and lipstick. She gulped in a deep breath. Okay. Time to go.
Her doorbell rang and she walked to the front door and opened it.
“Hi.” Steve stood in the doorway dressed in jeans and a blue sweater. Her heart beat faster. He was so handsome, standing there in the glow of the Christmas lights.
“I was going to walk over.”
“I thought I’d come get you and walk over with you.” He paused and looked at her from the top of her head to her cowboy boots. “You look great.”
“You don’t look so bad yourself.” Understatement. Way understatement.
She grabbed her purse and jacket and pulled the door shut behind her. Steve took her hand as they crossed over to his house. They didn’t say anything on the walk. She was afraid if she spoke, her voice might squeak. Excitement and nervousness ran up and down her spine. She didn’t know where the night might end up, but she knew she wanted to find out.
Steve opened the door when they got to his house. The aroma of something delicious drifted across the room.
“Smells wonderful.”
“Lasagna and French bread.”
“Sounds great.”
“Here, let me take your coat.”
Steve’s voice sounded a little shaky. She wondered if he was as nervous as she was?
“Wine?”
“Yes.” Maybe it would relax her.
The awkward silence continued as they sat in front of the fire.
“Dinner will be ready in about thirty minutes.”
“Okay.” Had she really evolved to one word answers?
Steve let out a big sigh. “This is bad, isn’t it?”
“What?” There were those one word answers again.
“We’ve never been awkward talking before. What’s up with tonight?”
“I don’t know.” There. Three words. She was proud of herself.
“I feel like a high school kid on a first date. You know the one, where your dad would be right in the next room? Ready to pounce if I made a move on you.”
“I’ve got an idea.” She turned to him.
“Great.”
See, she’d turned him into a one word answerer now.
“How about you lean over and kiss me and it will break the ice.”
A slow sexy grin spread across his face. “Now that’s an idea I could get into.” He leaned over and brushed a kiss across her lips.
“Really? That’s it? Because I was expecting more. You know, in an effort to break the tension,” she teased.
“You’re asking for it, woman.” He leaned over and kissed her thoroughly until she could barely hold a coherent thought in her head. He finally pulled back and flashed a smile. “Better?”
“Uh.” Great, back to one word answers. But what did he expect when he kissed her like that? It made her mind spin and her heart thump and she just wanted more. Yes, that was better. Better than better.
He stood up, took her hand and pulled her off the couch. “Why don’t you come into the kitchen while I finish up dinner.”
For a moment she’d thought he was going to lead her into the bedroom. The thing was, she didn’t know if she was actually disappointed he hadn’t. She silently chastised herself. Get a grip. She meekly followed him into the kitchen, unable to get control of her thoughts, and willing to just follow his lead. Besides, she really had no ability to think right now. He’d stolen that with his kiss.
Dinner was fabulous, and they relaxed and talked about anything and everything. His job. The new house he was just getting ready to dig the foundation on. Her job. His childhood dog. Her parents. Their talk wandered around like a little lost puppy and she enjoyed every moment of it.