Chapter 7
Chapter seven
Lance
Tonight has been the most surreal experience of my life.
I’m sitting opposite a woman who shouldn’t fit into my world at all. Yet, every story she tells, every joke she cracks, pull me a little closer. She twirls a stray curl between her fingers as she launches into another tale. I just grin like an idiot.
“Bex and I walked into the cancer clinic. Unbeknownst to us, the father of her child, who happens to be a doctor, was there. She hadn’t told him about the cancer. But he had found out at work. He didn’t want her to know he knew, so...” She pauses, chuckles, then shakes her head.
“He ducked under the reception desk out of sight so we wouldn’t see him. The receptionist didn’t know what to do, and when Ben looked up, he could see straight up her skirt.”
Her laughter rolls around the room, echoing off every wall, joy sparking in her eyes as she remembers her lost friend. She’s been through hell. My heart breaks for her. Yet, she squeezes light out of every dark corner in the stories she tells.
“The funniest part,” she continues, wiping a stray tear, “is when he stood back up, and an old couple were waiting. He winked at the receptionist and told her he liked her stockings.”
She swallows, the old memory shattering her composure.
“Bex loved that story. She laughed so hard every time she told it. Well, eventually, once they got back together, and he confessed all.”
I move without thinking. I stand and gather her into my arms. We’re strangers, but she cries into my chest as if we’re not. Her arms loop around my waist.
Hours of talking have connected us in a way I can’t explain. But it feels good. Safe even.
Her eyes lift to mine. A shy smile flickers, highlighted by rosy cheeks.
Drawn like a magnet, my lips touch her forehead. Soft. Gentle. And damn inappropriate. I don’t even realize I’ve moved until I’m already there.
“I’m sorry, Lance.” She wriggles from my grip. “You must think I’m a daft old woman. Thank you for being so kind.”
“Old?” I splutter. “You’re not old, Katie. What are you? Forty? Forty-two?”
A huge grin splits her face, and she bites her lip.
Oh, fuck. Those lips. That mouth. The way she bites it like she’s hiding a secret. I blink to clear the image.
“I’m nearly fifty, actually,” she says, the corners of her mouth quivering upwards. “But you’ve made my day.”
“Well, you look damn good for an experienced bird then.”
She smacks me playfully on the hand, laughing.
This woman is fun.
We polish off another bottle of wine by the fire. It crackles, throwing a reddish glow across her skin. The light dances in her eyes—the conversation is lighter now, more comfortable.
She tells me about her work as an erotic novelist, talking about the characters as if they’re real.
It’s as sexy as hell.
“Actually, Major,” she says with a wicked smile, “I’m going to use you as inspiration. Yes, my next book is going to be about a big, grumpy Scottish army guy with a big cock.”
I choke on my wine, spitting it everywhere. I grab the nearest napkin to wipe my mouth. She bites her lip—again.
“Ms. Clark. I don’t think we know each other well enough for you to be guessing the size of my genitals. How do you know it’s big?”
“I don’t.” She shrugs innocently. “Call it writer’s prerogative.”
“And I am not grumpy,” I add.
Her whole frame shakes as she laughs. I narrow my eyes. “You’re looking damn grumpy now,” she points out.
The atmosphere shifts; the air buzzing. Her chest rises and falls. I can’t help but stare. My pulse hammers in my throat. She’s a magnet. I can’t look away.
I lift my hand, my thumb brushing her cheek. She closes her eyes under my touch. I lean in to kiss her then…
Baby shark
She startles, and I swear under my breath. Bloody Hannah, changing my ringtone. I scramble for my phone.
“Hello, who is it?” I hiss.
“Dad? Where are you? You’re thirty minutes late.”
I glance at my watch. It’s eight o’clock.
”Shit.” My focus shifts to the window, darkness. Jacob’s owner will think I’ve stolen him. “Sorry, sweetheart. Time got away from me. I’ll be with you soon.”
Hannah huffs loud enough that the phone hisses. She’s pissed.
“Don’t be long. He’s here again. Mum’s acting like a teenager. I’ll puke if they kiss again.”
I roll my eyes. Not what I needed to hear.
“An hour tops. Hold tight.”
She hangs up.
Katie is watching me, her eyes mischievous, a smile threatening to break free.
“Major McDonald, do you need a lift?”
She flashes me a breathtaking full beam, and I relax.
“That would be great, Katie. I forgot I have Hannah tonight. She’s not happy.”
She laughs. “I hate to tell you that pissing a woman off, no matter how old, is a dangerous game.”
Her tongue runs over her bottom lip. My body reacts instantly.
She knows it too. Her lips tilt in a slow, knowing smile.
“Grab your coat,” she orders. “Let’s go.”
I scurry after her like a recruit on day one.
The car is… barely held together. Scrapes everywhere, a smashed rear light, and a bumper ready to hit pavement. I reach for the passenger door.
“Doesn’t work,” she shouts, climbing in the driver’s side, then leaning over to open my door.
Jacob shakes rainwater over us before settling in the back. We’d forgotten the dogs out in the garden. “Bloody wet dog,” I mutter.
“Oh, get a grip. It’s only water. I’m sure you’ve been far dirtier,” she fires back with a wink.
We bounce down the driveway, the car wheezing like it’s on life support.
Outside my house, we sit in silence that feels anything but empty.
“Well, Major, it’s been a pleasure,” she says. “No doubt I’ll see you around town.”
That’s it? She’s just going to leave. Drive off out of my life after this afternoon.
“What are you doing next weekend?” I ask, attempting casual, while inside I’m anything but.
Her eyebrows shoot up. “Nothing planned. Just keeping the zoo alive.”
I take a breath, then shoot my shot. “Would you like to have dinner with me on Friday? As friends,” I add quickly, the throb of my heart battering my ribs.
She studies me like she’s reading my every thought. “I think I would like that.” She holds out her hand. “Give me your phone.”
I hand it over as if she were my commanding officer. She punches a number in and hits the call button. Her phone springs to life. “Now you have my number, Major. I look forward to your call.”
With that, I climb out of the car, mind racing. Standing on the sidewalk like a spectator, I watch her speed away in her death trap.