Chapter 6 #2
I look at her with fondness, as she has strong shoulders with realistic expectations, and more importantly, she cares about how my life revolves around my kids.
In the past, the women I might have had a hookup with were always well away from anyone and discreet.
Now? Lexi is in close waters… yet still, I’m ignoring the lifesaver that I should probably consider using.
“You are extremely right, except tonight, they are not here,” I remind us.
Her face swings in my direction. “I’ve noticed.”
I nudge her shoulder with mine. “Relax, we can eat and have adult conversation. Other than eating with Stone, my ability to have adult discussions at dinner is limited. This is a refreshing change.”
“I ran into him this morning when I stopped by to hit the gym. He gave Stuart a hard time about cookies.”
I chuckle. “That’s always the case.”
“It’s a little insane the number of athletes, retired or not, that live in this town. I know the Spinners train here, but still. Do you miss playing?”
Nobody has asked me that in a while. “Hmm, let me think,” I pretend.
“No. Which might sound strange, but I feel like everything was meant for that chapter. I always knew that I would retire young, as most athletes do, so I made those the best years possible. Not to mention that fatherhood hit me earlier than I probably would have planned. But now I have a completely different life. Do I wish Harry would be more into sports? Sure, but he has other interests. Do I get excited when Lori is dancing on ice? Yeah. Because the ice brings good memories.”
Lexi steals some of my sesame chicken, and I appreciate that we’re comfortable enough around one another to do something like that.
“I would never have expected you to end up owning the Dizzy Duck Inn, but it’s a great story.
” She gently swats my arm in excitement.
“Actually, I have an idea that I wanted to run by you.”
“Shoot.”
“I was thinking we could hang some photos of all the athletes and sports stuff from here in Lake Spark. I could get some frames to match the feeling of the Dizzy Duck. Everyone appreciates those little touches.”
“I like it, and I’m sure our guests would love it, including the owner of The Spinners when he eats there with his wife. We have a lot of team dinners happening all the time too.”
“Perfect.” She sounds accomplished with her thought before she picks up her wine.
I grab an eggroll, but I’m eager to keep our conversation going. “Other than design, what has life looked like for you in the last few years?”
“Well, I worked on a few projects. Homes mostly, which I love, because your home is where you return to and it’s the base of your life, therefore you should make it cozy and full of personality,” she gushes.
“Heart in the home or something like that.”
She’s completely enthusiastic. “Totally. And after a few projects, I backpacked around Europe and then Costa Rica. I even went up to do a tour of Alaska. Basically, I’m not afraid to get lost somewhere in Austria because I ended up on the wrong train or ending up in unusual situations that find myself eating Chinese food on the floor in Lake Spark.
” She smiles proudly before popping food into her mouth.
“Don’t worry, adventurous and self-assured were the first two things that came to my mind when you walked into my office.”
Her grin turns shy as she sets the box down, deciding not to eat. “I guess you’re kind of my client. And yes, I have no qualms admitting that I wasn’t going to keep quiet about my attraction, it would have been obvious anyway.”
“You were not subtle, nor was I.” Setting my food on the table, we both have empty hands, and we should probably efficiently use them for other activities. “Again, I feel obliged to point out that I’m the guy that plays games, and I just haven’t figured out which one I’m playing with you.”
With purpose, Lexi leans across me, ensuring her body presses against mine as she reaches for something.
Her eyes sizzle with a sexy glint that is roping me in, only made worse because her mouth is within inches of mine.
I take in our mingling breaths and debate if my hand should slide up the side of her body, but I don’t get a chance to decide because she begins to drag her body back to sitting next to me.
Lexi holds a fortune cookie up. “My favorite part of the meal.” Her voice is a hoarse whisper.
“Meal, sure, but once that goes into your mouth then the meal is over.”
Her brows rise to throw caution at me before she cracks open her cookie to read the paper. “Run while you can or accept your fortune.”
I lick my lips, completely enamored by her humor that is on par with my own.
“Fitting,” I say before I nab my own cookie.
Breaking it open, I read aloud, “You should touch the woman sitting in front of you.” I throw the paper over my shoulder and move in to glide my hand along her cheek, urging her to move closer.
“It didn’t say that.” She grins.
“You’re right. It only said, ‘you will have a good year.’ But my version is better and by far more likely to come true.”
She presses her lips together but doesn’t let go of her smile. I’ll cross the line because I’m completely tempted by her. From her fun personality to the way she tucks her hair behind her ear, I’d be angry if I never got the chance to touch her the way I want.
“I’ve walked into your life when I probably shouldn’t,” she chides.
“Don’t think, Lexi. We’re all allowed a little escape,” I whisper.
She breaks away and stands abruptly, with her palms smoothing over her clothes. She busies herself with cleaning up the table which disappoints me and confuses me, but I follow her lead.
Walking to the kitchen, she sets the boxes on the counter with her back to me and her hands planted on the edge of the quartz counter. She appears to be in deep thought.
It doesn’t feel like I should say anything, so I don’t. Which is good, because Lexi spins on her toes, and the speed of her eyes flicking to me transmits the message perfectly.
I’m not sure who makes the move first, but we both take the step to crash our mouths together, her hands quickly finding their way to hang onto my elbows as my hands discover the curve of her hips, because we’re in for a long kiss.
Maybe even more.