Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
Kendall
He leans down and kisses me. Heat erupts like a volcano, and I slide my hands around his neck to have something to hold on to, as I melt into his body.
His muscular arms hold me up, tugging me closer.
Feeling his erection on my stomach, I open my lips ever so slightly, and it’s an invitation for his tongue to slide in.
If we were here alone, I suspect we’d be on that couch or up against the wall. The thought of him slamming me against the wall gives me tingles and throbbing between my legs. With our lips together, it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt. And I’m still wondering how we ended up here.
The kiss slows, and Dane pulls away first, staring into my eyes. He says, “My grandparents were soulmates. I wish I were that lucky.” He takes his hand and gently touches my cheek, and slides it down my neck.
My breath hitches, and I swallow hard. How did we end up having this conversation again?
“From what she says, it has nothing to do with luck. Love finds you.” I can’t help but stare into his caramel eyes while butterflies threaten to take flight in my belly.
My body needs to calm down. I can’t get too invested in him.
Reminding myself it’s just dinner, and who knows if he’ll even want to do it again.
The newness might wear off. It’s hard not to doubt his intentions.
He shakes his head and shrugs. “That’s what she says.”
I place my hand on his chest, and he draws me into his body.
An intimate hug, as our arms wrap around each other in a way that makes my eyes close and my head rest on his chest. Breathing in him—coconut and palm trees—it tickles my nose yet relaxes my body.
When his arms loosen around my body, I squeeze a little tighter. I’m not ready for him to let me go.
He nestles his face close to my ear and kisses me. “I’ll hold you as long as you need me to.”
My heart skips a beat, and my eyes jump open. His sultry voice sends shivers down my spine, and then he uses his fingers to stroke my back. I mold even further into his body. We stay there, soaking up the moment.
He slowly releases my body, and his hands linger on my hips. “What else can I do for you?”
I can think of all kinds of dirty things he can do for me, but I realize quickly that he was talking about the furniture. A smirk spreads across my face. “Oh, um…”
Dane looks at me and chuckles. I wonder if he has any inkling of what I was thinking about. He glides his thumb over my cheek. Closing my eyes and feeling him on my skin, I slowly open them.
I lead him down the hall. “Come this way and I’ll show you where the rest of the furniture is.”
He takes in what needs to be moved and says, “Let’s get this done.
” His authoritative voice slides under my skin, and the hair on my arms stands on end.
Holy shit. This guy is embedding himself into me one small gesture at a time, and that voice, oof, it’s seeping into my body, drenching my panties.
Still questioning if this is a good idea—getting involved with him. Realizing I’m digging myself deeper.
After I explain where things need to go, I say, “Thank you so much for helping. I really appreciate it.”
As Dane takes care of moving items for me, I head back to the salon area.
Walking straight over to Jane, I say, “Thank you again for bringing your grandson to help me. Opening day will be spectacular. I look forward to showing you everything that's been completed. It’s coming together perfectly thanks to Dane helping with the furniture this morning. It’s a dream come true. ”
“Oh dear. You’re very welcome. Dane is a sweetheart…once you get to know him.”
What does she mean by that?
I take a minute and then mutter, “Yeah, he seems it.”
“Exactly, you get him.” She looks at me with loving eyes and a smirk.
“Acts of service are my love language; this means more to me than he will ever know. He’s one of the good ones.” I believe every word I’m saying to Jane. Yet, I have reservations, but I’m not giving it attention at the moment.
“I’ve been telling everyone. You’re a local celebrity, Kendall.”
“Ah, you’re so sweet.”
Dane swaggers out from the back looking handsome as hell.
Oh man, if no one were here, we’d be all over each other.
A part of me is thankful Jane is here. The other part is ready to get back into bed with him.
I’m so conflicted. I’ve been waiting my entire life to feel a connection like this, but it’s hard to think he’ll change his whole life for me.
No more one-night stands and settle down.
I shake the thoughts and focus on this moment.
“Dane, thank you again.” Reaching for his arm, my hand lands on his bicep. Feeling his strength under my hand is heavenly.
“If you need anything else, be sure to reach out. You have my number.” Then he whispers, “See you tomorrow.”
Squirming under his grandmother’s watch, I feel her staring at us. It’s like she knows what we were doing in the back. Is it written all over our faces? She can’t possibly know, but she’s picking up on something between us because I feel it too—the magnetic charge between us.
I move closer to Jane and place my hand on her shoulder. “Thank you for everything. You’ve been such a big supporter of the salon. See you for the soft opening.”
Jane pulls me into a hug. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
We let go of each other, and I look over to Dane, who is staring at me with eyes full of love and admiration. No, not for me, but I’m sure it’s for his Gram. He really loves her. Bringing her here and helping me with the furniture warms my heart.
Walking them to the door and saying our goodbyes, I linger, then turn around to start my day and move about the salon, making sure everything is perfect for our clients. As I prepare my products, Sally, our receptionist, walks in the door.
I say, “Good morning.”
“Good morning.” Sally looks at me with an arched brow. “So who was that man who walked out this door with Jane?”
“You don’t miss much, do you?” I shake my head at her.
She puts her coffee down on the counter and turns to me. “Give me all the details because I can tell by that smile on your face…you have something to tell me.”
“You know how Jane has been trying to set me up with her grandson.” I give her a pointed look. “Maybe I would have said yes if I had seen a picture of him. He has a look to him, huh?”
Sally settles into her chair behind the reception desk and says, “He needs to take you on a date.” She is fanning herself.
“Well, Jane doesn’t know, but he already asked me on a date.”
I wasn’t about to tell her the one-night stand story. That is for another day, at this point. When you think you have life figured out, you are thrown for a loop.
Deciding it's time to cut the Dane talk, I say, “He seems great, and I’m looking forward to our date. But I don’t see it leading anywhere too serious; he just doesn’t strike me as the settling down kind.”
“I mean, it might just be a fun night.” She winks at me and laughs.
“Alright, enough about that; let's finalize these details for the openings.”
My phone vibrates, and I glance down to see Dane’s text.
Dane:
Seeing you this morning is the highlight of my day. If I had known, I’d have brought you a coffee.