Chapter Eleven #2
"That's one of the things I like about this restaurant."
I glanced at both our plates, wrinkling my nose.
"What?" Spencer asked.
"Yours looks more delicious than mine."
"You're more than welcome to try some of it."
"Really?" I asked.
"Yeah."
I planted my fork right in the center of the pile of spaghetti, twirling it a couple times until I'd filled it. Spencer laughed.
"I love how you taste my food first and not yours," he said as I shoved the huge mouthful in. I smiled sheepishly.
“Mmm, mmm, mmm.” Now, this was delicious. I might just have to rethink my dislike for guanciale. I gave him a thumbs-up because I couldn't speak with my mouth full.
"You know what? You took a huge amount. So it's only fair that I take a large forkful from your plate as well."
I shoved my plate closer to him, so he had better access. He could take all he wanted, because I might taste his spaghetti again later.
I took a smaller forkful of mine.
"I've never eaten spaghetti with tomato sauce that had so much flavor,” I said. In addition to the few full leaves of basil, there must’ve also been dried basil and oregano in the sauce.
"This is exquisite!" They put parmigiano in it, so it was full of fatty goodness.
"I'm very happy indeed tonight. I've got great food and wine and the company of a sexy man. "
"I was wondering if you were going to give me any credit," he said in a playful tone.
"Of course! You deserve an honorary mention."
"Okay, challenge accepted."
"What challenge?"
"You'll see."
I had no idea what he meant, but I had a feeling he had more delicious and sexy things in store for me, and I was on board with that.
Something seemed to have happened in the elevator.
I didn't just lose my inhibitions but also my fears…
at least some of them. I still had no idea what would happen after we left the restaurant.
But I was determined to enjoy our dinner date.
As we finished our spaghetti, the waiter came and poured some more wine in our glasses.
“Is this my second glass? Or the third one?”
"Third,” Spencer confirmed.
“At least I had tons of spaghetti. I shouldn’t get tipsy again.”
"Don't worry, I know where you live. I promise to walk you to the front door. I wanted to ask, how long will you be there?"
"Around two months. Taylor’s schedule isn't set in stone. She might stay longer, or she might come back earlier.” I frowned at the glass. “I stand corrected. I can feel the wine going straight to my head.” I was perplexed. My eyes were unfocused, and my fingers were tingling.
He grabbed the bottle from the ice bucket, studying the label before putting it down.
“It’s got 2 percent more alcohol than usual.”
"That would explain it. Or maybe the sexy man giving me an orgasm had something to do with it." I gasped. "I can't believe I said that."
"That's the wine talking," Spencer said.
"I think I forgot my inhibitions somewhere in the elevator," I admitted.
"Do you want dessert?" he asked.
"No. I need a bit of fresh air."
"Are you sick?" His tone instantly changed from playful to concerned. I felt like someone was giving me a hug or I was pressing a fluffy toy to my chest.
"No, but I'm light-headed."
"All right, then. I gave them the credit card when you were still in the bathroom. They’ll charge it. Let's go outside."
"Spencer," I said, licking my lips. "Are you sure you don't want to split the bill? I mean the wine was…"
"No!" I’d never heard him sound like that, somewhere between offended and annoyed. "I won't hear anything more on the topic."
"Okay."
We both rose at the same time, and I suddenly wished he’d put an arm around me or kiss me or something. I was yearning for any sort of touch.
Oh, Penny, what happened to you, girl? That's just the wine. I hadn't turned into some sex-crazed person.
"Want to take the elevator?" Spencer asked.
I realized he wasn't teasing me.
"No. I’d feel a bit claustrophobic after being trapped in it."
"Okay, hold on tight."
"Good thinking," I exclaimed, lacing an arm through his as we went down the stairs.
Oh yeah, that was all the contact I needed. No, wait! I spoke too soon. Now that I was touching his arm, I was getting all sort of crazy ideas, like taking off his shirt and getting some skin-on-skin contact. I couldn't believe my mind was going down that path. It was so unlike me.
The second we stepped outside the building, I took in a deep breath. The evening air was fresh with a slight fragrance of tulips and honeysuckles. I closed my eyes, taking in another deep breath.
“Better?” Spencer asked.
Opening my eyes, I nodded. We walked home leisurely, admiring the gorgeous houses in the neighborhood, but then something funny happened when we arrived in front of my house. All my fears slammed right back into me. Where was this going? Was I a fool for going on a date with him?
I shifted my weight from one leg to the other, glancing at my feet.
"What’s wrong?" he asked.
"How can you tell something's wrong?"
"You always look down when there's something on your mind.”
"It's just that tonight has been incredible. I didn't know it was possible to feel this way, but…" I sighed. "I've barely signed my divorce papers. It's true I've been separated for a long time, but I’m not sure if I can get involved with someone without making a mess of everything."
His eyes glinted. "I know exactly how you feel. I'm in a similar situation.”
“Plus, you have Ben to focus on," I said that as if that was a genius observation. "So, you probably don't have time for me, anyway."
"I have time for whatever I want. And I want you, Penny. So, I was going to suggest we take it easy"—he wiggled his eyebrows—"with a fling."
My lady parts all but danced in my underwear. "I don't even know how to have a fling," I blurted.
He flashed me a sexy smile and said, "I never know how you're going to react."
"Well, it's true. I don't know about flings."
"I'll be more than happy to teach you."
Teach you. For some reason I found that incredibly hot.
"But what if things with you and Taylor get uncomfortable once she's home? You know, if this doesn’t work out—I don’t want to be the reason for any problems between you two."
"That hasn’t even crossed my mind. We’re all grown-ups, Penny. If you don't want this, I’ll respect your decision. But don’t be concerned about me and Taylor. I usually don’t even know my neighbors.”
My pulse went haywire. I was ready to say yes to anything if it meant I got to spend some time with Spencer. He was close enough that I could feel the heat of his body again. I loved it. It felt intimate.
"Can I think about it?"
"Sure," he replied. "I’d kiss you, but if our elevator adventure is any indication, I can't stop at just kissing you." He took a step back. "Good night, Penny."
"Good night." I rushed into the house and smiled from ear to ear. Then I immediately got my phone out, typing as I went through the kitchen to do my feeding rounds for the pets. I hadn’t told Taylor anything about Spencer. Time to pull off the Band-Aid.
Penny: I need to confess something. Your neighbor is hot. I had a sexy adventure with him.
To my astonishment, Taylor replied right away. What time was it on her side of the pond?
Taylor: Holy shit. I didn't think you’d jump a guy so fast. And since when do I even have a neighbor? Tell me everything.
That wasn’t going to happen. We were close, but we didn't share intimate details. That was just weird for me.
Penny: I have a question first. Do you mind if he and I have a fling?
Taylor: Hell no. You're hot and young and available. Climb him like a mountain, my friend.
I could always count on my bestie. Before I lost my nerve, I texted Spencer.
Penny: I’m in.
I grinned wildly when my phone beeped.
Spencer: What does that mean? I want you to tell me in your words.
I shifted my weight from one leg to the other, starting to type a message, then deleting it and starting again.
Penny: We can give this a try. But I still don't know how a fling works.
Spencer: I'll show you. I promise, I'm a great teacher. All it takes is following some simple rules.
I was going to have a fling with Spencer Whitley! I'd never been happier about anything in my life.