There was no way he could sleep. Macy’s slender body was nestled against his, giving off enough heat to keep him awake. What he wanted was to take her again, and again. But there was no need to be greedy. Unlike dates with other women, this wasn’t just a one-nighter. Macy was the woman who could change everything about him.
She had a sense of humor. She had integrity. She was outspoken, and she was gorgeous. His finger trailed along her arm. Her brown skin glowed like a new penny.
He rubbed the bridge of his nose. His obsession to be with her edged toward unfamiliar territory. Could this be love? Or was he infatuated with the novelty of a woman who didn’t throw herself at him?
No. What he felt for Macy was deeper than infatuation. This feeling could stay with him forever and he’d never tire of it. Love hadn’t been on his radar that night in the hotel when he met her. He’d thought he could postpone settling down until he turned forty, forty-five if he got lucky.
As long as Macy was willing to enjoy what they had right now, the two of them would be fine. If she started talking about diamonds and baby buggies and a house on the Main Line, he’d find a way to handle that, too.
He ran his finger along her jaw. She stirred but didn’t wake up. He didn’t recognize his behavior. Watching her sleep as if he were love struck. He eased out of bed and out of the room.
In the living area, he collected their wine glasses from the table. The wine was warm. In the kitchen, he poured the remains down the drain. Hunger rumbled in his stomach, reminding him that dinner had been more talking and not so much eating. He opened the refrigerator door and removed a pound of imported cheese and summer sausage from the door.
Within minutes he’d warmed the sausage, sliced the cheese, and arranged everything on a crystal tray.
“What smells so good?” Macy strolled into the room, wearing nothing but her panties. She must have found them mixed in the bed linen. Her hands covered her breasts. She picked up his shirt from the floor and pulled it on. “I didn’t want to slip back into my dress. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. I should have pulled a t-shirt from my drawer for you.”
She’d pulled back her sleep-tousled hair in a ponytail. At least she hadn’t attempted to look like she’d just stepped off a photo set. She hadn’t reapplied her make-up or lip gloss. Refreshing. A woman who was willing to be herself.
“I thought you might be hungry.” He pointed to the dish. “I was going to serve you in bed. Would you like wine?”
She sat at the kitchen island. “No wine. I think wine is the reason why I’m sitting in your kitchen nearly naked and ogling you. How about soda?”
“I planned to fix us something to eat and come back to bed. I didn’t think about dressing.”
“I’m glad you didn’t. Otherwise, I’d feel a little uncomfortable since my dress and bra are somewhere around here.” She glanced over her shoulder. Her eyes lingered on the leather sectional for a moment. “Your place looks exactly the way I imagined.”
“How so?”
She spun around on the stool, facing the living area. “Expensive. Everything in this place is decadent. How many people make a snack at two a.m. on a crystal platter? Is that Waterford or Baccarat?”
“If it makes you feel any better, I can see if I have paper plates and plastic tumblers.”
“You know you don’t, so don’t pretend. While I’m here, I might as well see how the other side lives. I get plenty of paper and plastic dinnerware at home.”
He found a two-liter bottle of ginger ale in the bar. “Okay, soda for you and a glass of wine for me. You carry the dish, and I’ll bring the drinks.”
“Can we eat in here?”
No, was his immediate answer. He wanted her back in his bed. But he didn’t say that. He said, “Sure.” He took the seat next to her at the kitchen island.
“After we eat I need to get home.”
“Are you sure? I was hoping you’d stay the night. I can drive you home in the morning.”
She reached for a slice of cheese and placed it on the crackers he’d pulled from the cabinet. “No. I don’t think that’s a good idea. We’re on our first date, and even it’s a little late to think about impressions, I don’t think I should sleep over on our first date. I don’t want you to think I’m easy.”
“I have a lot of thoughts about you, but I’d never call you easy.”
“After we enjoy this delicious snack, you’ll take me home?”
“Only if you promise to let me take you out on a proper date tomorrow.”
Her infectious smile warmed every layer of him. Who was he fooling? She was getting to him.
“One other thing before you go.” He rubbed his knee against her leg.
“I know what you have in mind.” Sincerity marked her face.
He cupped her face, slipping his tongue into her warm mouth. She gave him as much as he gave her. Going to battle with his tongue only stirred him more. “Let’s shower before I take you home.”
“What else do you have on your mind?”
“You’ll see.” He led her to the bathroom. When the water temperature was perfect, he opened the door and allowed her to step inside in front of him.
“I don’t think you have any intention of behaving yourself.”
“You’re right. None what-so-ever.” He grabbed the soap and ran it along her shoulders, between her breasts and then along her back. Pressing against her soft skin.
She reached for his hardened erection. With deft strokes, she drew him closer.
He cupped her soapy breast and pressed his erection against her thigh. He planted slow kisses along her neck and shoulder before he slipped his finger into her moist center.
She shuddered. “Okay, but you have to promise to get me across town sometime tonight.” She sought his lips and wrapped her legs around his waist.
Macy curled around the pillow in her apartment, in her bed. Nothing felt better than being in Avery’s apartment, in his bed, but she had standards, she at least had to pretend to live up to them. None of which included staying overnight at his place on their first official date.
They were going on another date, in a few hours and with any luck, there wouldn’t be any calls or emergencies or family matters to interfere.
Gayle knocked on the door before sticking her head into the room. “I didn’t hear you come in last night.”
Macy sat up in the bed. “That’s because I didn’t get home until early this morning.”
“Oh, my, my. Dish please.” Gayle flopped on the edge of the bed and curled her legs in a yoga pose. “Is everything okay with your brother?”
“Yes. Avery even offered to make some calls to the college on his behalf.”
“Great. You guys are getting along.” The syrupy sweet sound of her voice said she already had them knee deep in love.
Macy held up her palm. “Whoa, horsey. We had one date, and we’re going on another one today.” She shrugged a shoulder. “I like him.”
“You like him a lot. I know you. I can tell by that silly little smile on your face. You haven’t dated in months. I was beginning to worry about you. And I might be wrong, but that glow must mean something too. Did something happen that you’re not telling me.”
Macy pulled the sheet up over her head. “I’m not saying anything.” She giggled. “Now get out of here and close my door. I need a few more minutes of sleep.”
Gayle pulled the sheet away. “Wait a minute, lady. What about all that talk about him being a Malveaux? One minute all you do is work, work, work. Now you’re swooning and doing other things that you can’t talk about with your mother. Girl, you’re either cold as ice or hot as hell. You have no medium dial setting do you?”
“Gayle, give me a break. I’m a big girl. I’ve got my eyes wide open.”
Her cell phone rang. She patted the night table until her hand landed on the phone. She pulled it under the sheet and looked at the screen. The 202 number. Her father. Her finger hovered over the accept button. She kicked away the sheet and sat up to gawk at the phone. There were countless nights when she’d wished she could talk to him, hear his voice. Now that the moment was here her heart pounded so hard she couldn’t move. If she wanted, she could talk to him, or yell at him, or confront him. This was the opportunity she thought she wanted. She’d rehearsed the spiel so much, she had it memorized. But she was supposed to catch him off guard, when he was having lunch at an outside café, or walking the aisle of a grocery store, not the other way around. She declined his call.