sat back in the seat, leaning a bit toward him to see around the post holding the overhang up. He moved the box and motioned for her to scoot closer. She did and he put his roll back in the box. He extended his arm behind her on the bench, and she leaned back into the hollow of his arm. “Thank you for this. It’s wonderful.”
She glanced up at him and smiled. “It is, isn’t it? We should do this while you’re here.”
He stared down at her. The happiness in her eyes made them sparkle and it pulled a contented feeling from deep inside him. He smiled back at her. “We should. A standing date.”
“Sitting, actually,” she quipped and broke a piece of her roll off, offering it to him.
He bent down and took the offered pastry, brushing his lips against her fingertips. Her eyes flicked to his lips before she offered a shy smile and broke off a piece for herself. She licked the frosting from her fingers, perhaps a bit longer than was necessary. He closed his eyes and repositioned as his interest expanded, and his jeans… Well, they didn’t. She was flirting, and he was more than happy to receive her attention.
“What’s on your agenda today?”
“Landings.” He’d be able to replace both Gen’s and hers today.
“Oh, that’s right. Got any plans for dinner?”
“No, you?” He took another sip of his coffee.
“I know this great little place. Not far from here.”
“Really? What type of cuisine?”
“Well, the chef isn’t Michelin-rated, but she’s decent. Her specialties are comfort food. Fried chicken, potatoes, and corn are what’s on the menu tonight. She buys one hell of a good blueberry pie that is produced locally. I can recommend it.”
“Does that pie come with vanilla ice cream?”
“That option is always available.”
“Sounds like a place I’d enjoy. Can I bring anything?”
She lifted a piece of roll to his mouth, and he took it, this time capturing her finger between his lips. Her mouth parted and her tongue darted out to wet her bottom lip. “Yes. A toothbrush.”
He stared down at her and swallowed hard. “Are you sure?”
She moved the plate where the roll had sat and turned to face him. Her gaze traveled from his eyes to his lips. She lifted a bit and he dropped, consuming those soft, full lips in a gentle kiss.
Her tongue licked his lips. He sat up more and dropped his arm around her, pulling her in closer. Gone was the shy gentleness. It was replaced by a building hunger. They explored and teased, probed and played, and finally had to end the kiss or die of asphyxiation. She pushed away from his chest and looked up at him. “Oh, yeah, I’m positive.”
“Whoa, me too.” He leaned down again and swiped a gentle kiss across her swollen lips. “What time do you want me?”
“Now.” The word came out as a breath and then she squeaked. “I do not believe I just said that.” She sat up and her hands flew to her face.
He chuckled and put his coffee cup in the box at his feet. “Don’t get embarrassed on me now.”
“I’m not really, that just sounded… desperate.” She sat her coffee cup, which had been in her hand the entire time, down in the box with his.
“A little bit of desperation is acceptable, even preferable.” He took her hand in his. “But I have to remind you I’m not a permanent fixture. I’m only here for a couple of months.”
She cocked her head and smiled. “A couple of months? That’s up from a couple of weeks, and I understand temporary.”
He nodded and pushed a strand of her blonde hair out of her face. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You can’t if I don’t let you.” She smiled at him. “Don’t overthink it, Remi. Just come to dinner.” She stood up and offered him a hand.
He took it and rose, not releasing her hand but standing, still connected. “You never answered. What time?”
“Six-thirty.”
“I’ll be there.” He dropped and brushed a kiss across her lips.
“Morning Eden. Doctor Wheeler,” the call came from across the street.
Eden collapsed in giggles against him. She turned and waved. “Good morning Phil. Wonderful day, isn’t it?”
“For you, I’d say it is,” the older man chuckled and rolled up the only maintenance bay door to his filling station.
“Well, it looks like the entire town will know we’re…” She stopped and a frown crossed her brow. “Dating? Phil is one of the biggest gossips in town.”
He shrugged. “That