Page 12 (2/2)

I shook e me, then," he said, his voice deep and husky He opened the book and recited the line that had hi hiet down on a thing when they don’t know nothing about it’"

The way the words rolled off his tongue--it was hot; he was hot I knehat he was laughing about and le I ain, there was a moment of pure vulnerability, and the silence that wrapped itself around us seeht until he blinked and handed me the book

"You should read this if you have time It really is one of the best books ever written"

I did giggle at that "Right I’m sure it’s up there next to Tom Sawyer"

"How’d you know?" He winked

My sto

He started to walk backward and I really wanted hiht he’d changed his mind But instead what he did captured htly to gesture that he was tipping an i to you" He paused, waiting for me to fill in the blank

"S’belle," I finished for hione with rinned, the upward tilt of his lip ain and I sed, h and before I could even ask his name, he disappeared around the corner

I yelled, "Wait, I didn’t catch your name"

From someplace in a distance I heard his deep husky voice call, "Ben, ton"

• • •

"Ben, Ben Covington" They are the sah the Crystal Ballrooo The sao And the saht noith a want I shouldn’t be feeling

My fingers slide down ht of his kisses and the way his tongue flicked against ency I circle my warm flesh and think about the desire that flows between us, the way he looks atde before I see hih escapes my throat as I apply pressure where I need it because there’s no way I’ with hi hi to his house All of those places are too intiht and I’ll plant the seed for one ood-bye

CHAPTER 9

Towers

Ben

I cruise into Brentwood onand I locate the restaurant right away The sign in front reading Valet Parking throwsa BBQ pit with picnic tables, but what I’ivesinside It looks pretty nice, which I’irl to a dump on a first date

I skip the valet since I don’t like anyone touching e around the corner and pull into it I’ve been to this town a few ti I really rewood trees that line the streets Witharound at the s to passersby The old-fashioned streetlights display banners that read MERRY CHRISTMAS It’s a little early for that--isn’t it?

The town looks to be a little larger than Laguna, and a bit quainter, but nowhere near as trendy or diverse I pass a florist, soalleries, and h they don’t have a care in the world, just browsing, talking, and laughing One store in particular catches my eye It’s a bookstore named Fiction Vixen My love for old books draws e s located on both sides of its front door The books are displayed in a Christhts wrapped around thelass door only to find that the place is crowded I weavein the entry and stop at the hostess station

"Can I help you?" the cute girl says

"I’d like a table for two"

"Do you have a reservation?"

"No, do I need one?"

She glances down at the book of naht"

I lean down "Are you sure you can’t find a small table for two tucked away soirl and I was really hoping to impress her I don’t want to look like the jackass I a to make a reservation" I quirk a slances up at me and her eyelashes flutter "That’s really sweet Letchart before her

"How about right there?" I point

"One of thetables? Those are always the first ones requested"

I shoot her a wink "So ot us one of those?"

She smiles at me as she erases the name printed above the table "Your name, sir?"