I fight my urge to bite my knuckles out of frustration.
I want her.
My God, do I fucking want her.
But I need to take things slow.
“When can I see you again?” I kiss her lips.
“I was thinking”—she gulps, tracing the cursive letters of my name on my coat with her fingertip—“we could go on that date we never got. Tonight?”
I lift her chin to study her clear eyes. “I’d love to.”
“I won’t bail this time. I promise.”
“I know.” I smirk.
She shakes her head. “Are you always going to be arrogant? It’s not a good look on you.”
“I’m just saying, you can’t help yourself after you’ve had me a couple times. I’m your nucleus now.”
“Oh my God.” She buries her face in her hands against my trembling chest as I laugh. “How can you make freaking chemistry sexy?”
“It’s the charm, baby.”
Her lips part like she’s in shock that I called her baby.
I kiss her lips once more. “Get used to it, baby.” Winking, I lead her to the door, avoiding Patty’s knowing glances. Her smirk is the size of her big hair, and Tinsley snickers behind her.
I wave goodbye to Clara, then roll my eyes at the ladies. “Are you ready, Tinsley?”
She drops the sly grin and follows me, iPad in hand.
I only completed my fellowship last year, so I’m still getting my feet under me, but I’m good at compartmentalizing.
Which is what I do—Clara is in my personal life box, and my patients are in my professional one.
That’s the only way I successfully complete the next few hours.
Because I’m ready for tonight.
For my real first date with Clara.
“What can I get you to start?” our server asks. She’s a middle-aged woman with her hair tied back in a low bun like a cadet.
We glance at each other from behind our menus. Even without seeing her entire face, I know we’re thinking the same thing.
“Shrimp cocktail, please,” we both say.
Our server doesn’t even flinch before nodding and walking away.
“She seems delightful.” I grab a piece of bread from the basket. “How many times do you think we can get her to roll her eyes at us tonight?”
“With you here? Probably twenty-two.”
“That’s specific.”
She snorts into her water, then wipes her mouth with her napkin, her cheeks red. “Can’t believe I just snorted. That was so inappropriate for a date.”
“It really was. I think I’ll be going now.” My smile is slow.
She shakes her head, grinning at me.
I reach out to caress her hand—I can do this now. I can touch her like this because my feelings aren’t a secret anymore. We’re on a date, and I’ve seen her naked, and this is Clara.
She can snort, burp, or scratch her ass, and I would still want her. Hell, I’d marry her tomorrow if she was ready.
I pause, tamping down my racing thoughts. “Clara,” I start, dipping my head to meet her gaze. To make sure she’s listening and not just hearing me. “It’s still me. You don’t have to hide.” I rub circles on top of her hand with my thumb.
“It’s still so new.”
“Good new?”
She turns her hand over, curling her fingers through mine. “Wonderful new.”
“I put in your appetizer order,” the server announces, then holds her iPad up. “Do you have any questions about the menu, or would you like to go ahead and order?”
I nod to Clara, and she orders first. The whole time, I watch her mouth move like I’m trying to read her lips. Like they’re telling me a secret and not just ordering a grilled chicken breast with mashed potatoes.
But coming out of Clara’s mouth, it’s poetry.
Once she finishes, her tongue darts out, wetting her lips like she can taste her food already.
I inhale, and my voice is strained when I order. Once the server disappears again, I try to pull myself together. “How’s work?”
Good, safe topic.
“It’s amazing.” Her eyes shine. She tears a piece of bread from the basket and sets it on her plate. “Sidney is great. She’s teaching me so much. The cool thing about the magazine is that it’s national. I get my taste of the world without ever leaving Sunnyville.”
“Best of both worlds.” I pause, trying to hide my frown. “Do you miss living in the city?”
Will you go back? I want to ask but bite my tongue.
Slow. We’re going slow, I remind myself.
She swallows a bite of bread. “I was worried I might, but I don’t. Moving here has felt so right. The familiar places, being close to family, my job—this is where Jacob and I are supposed to be. He’s definitely loving it. The only time he ever even talks about Atlanta anymore is to say it smells better here in comparison. Otherwise, he goes on about his new school and friends.” She glows with pride. There’s a new sense of peace about her, which makes me exhale with relief.
Our server sets our appetizer between us and refills our water glasses. After we thank her, we continue our conversation. Easy and natural. Nothing like the pressure from normal first dates between someone you just met.
“Not to mention, it’s been… nice seeing you again.” She eyes me coyly over the rim of her glass as she takes a sip.
“Nice?” I lean forward, dropping my voice. “You can do better than that.”
“It’s definitely been hot,” she whispers. Her nostrils flare, and she shifts in her seat. I fight my urge to duck under the table to see if she’s squeezing her legs together.
“Your mom’s staying with Jacob tonight?”
She nods slowly, her pink lips teasing.
Enticing.
I grind my teeth. How will I make it through dinner? All I want is to haul her round ass to my bedroom and spend the night exploring her body.
She drives me insane, and I don’t know how I’ll make it.
Our gazes lock, and she watches me like she’s thinking the same thing.
There’s only one thing we can do.
Twenty-Five
Clara
Dax slams me against the wall like he’s trying to tear his whole house down. The few frames rattle near our heads as we move down the short hallway, bumping from wall to wall.
We left dinner in a rush. We asked the server to box up our meals after only a few bites. The way Dax looked at me with his hungry eyes—I knew I couldn’t wait to have him.
I gasp into his mouth, wrapping my legs around his waist. Our lips are locked as he moves us toward his bedroom. He massages my tongue with his like we’re made of honey—stuck together.
One.
He pushes me against his bedroom door. Heavy pants and sexual tension cloud the air around us.
His kisses are feral.
Seductive.
I claw his shoulders, and he tugs my hair while his other arm holds me up around my waist.
He nips at my ear, his hard length obvious through his slacks.
Hot.
My whole body is on fire for him, electricity running through my veins, heating every spot he touches.
I ache for him.