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“Maybe there’s a compromise.”

Devyn enjoyed this endlessly. The conflict on Elizabeth’s face.The strife. “Second date, second base?”

“Do you think I’m juvenile?” Elizabeth asked. “You can just sayit. I feel juvenile with this rule.”

“No. That word has not entered my thoughts,” Devyn said insincerity. “You have convictions. Nothing wrong with that.”

Something new and informed took over Elizabeth’s features. She restedher chin in her hand. “But you’ll be headed home soon.” She gestured betweenthem. “You live in Philly. I live here.”

“And to be clear, I’m not looking for a long-term…anything.”

“I imagine not. You live a busy life.”

“Very busy. I have no time for much outside of my job. Hence theon-the-go salads.”

“This sounds like an opportune time to discuss what’s happeninghere.” She gestured between them. “Let’s have a summit.”

Silence hit and the mood shifted.

“Well, I like you.” Devyn reached for a slice of the hot breadfrom the second basket that had been brought to their table. “We’re friends.”

“Unlikely friends.”

She spread butter on one slice, watched it melt instantly, andhanded it to Elizabeth. “Very. But I’m also attracted to you.”

“That makes us friends who are attracted to each other.” As Devynbuttered a slice of bread for herself, Elizabeth sat back, appearingthoughtful. “I can work with those terms.”

Devyn smiled. “I can, too. So, in a sense, we’re not negotiatingforever.”

Elizabeth took a bite of bread and nodded slowly. “We’renegotiating right now. So maybe conventional dating rules don’t apply to…twogood friends who are attracted to each other.”

Relief hit. They were on the same damn page. “I really like theway you think.”

Elizabeth smiled politely at their server as she passed. “I thinkwe might be ready for our check.”

Chapter Fourteen

The room was still. Dexter had taken Scout to his place earlier inthe day, since Elizabeth would be out for the night. With her back to Devyn, Elizabethpoured two glasses of wine, because wine was sexier than beer, but she wonderedif they’d even get to them. She didn’t have to turn around to know that Devyn’seyes were on her. She could feel that gaze across every inch of her exposedskin, causing her temperature to elevate and her brain to go quiet.

Dinner had been an adventure. While she wanted to hear everythingDevyn had to say, she also struggled to follow the thread of the conversationbecause every part of her wanted Devyn. Really wanted her in a primal, veryphysical manner she’d never experienced. She would have to ask KC about thislater, but for now her thighs ached, and the dampness in her underwear had heradjusting uncomfortably. She exhaled slowly. They hadn’t even touched.

Yet.

She straightened, standing taller, as she felt Devyn approach. Theskin on her shoulders tingled in anticipation as she felt Devyn’s warm breathtickle. When the slow kiss landed on her bare shoulder, she closed her eyes anddropped her head back. “Hello,” she murmured. Devyn placed the next kiss on hershoulder blade, followed by the side of her neck. Elizabeth’s knees trembled.“Are we skipping the wine, then, or…” She couldn’t finish the sentence becauseDevyn’s tongue traced a line up her neck that her lips then repeated withopen-mouthed kisses.

“Up to you,” Devyn said, quietly, continuing to work.

“Wine is overrated.” But she didn’t recognize her own voice. Itwas lower and breathier and made her feel outside herself, except she stillexperienced every nerve ending tingling with overwhelming desire. She turnedand slid her arms around Devyn’s neck, pressing their bodies together at last.Her breath caught at the heated contact, and she reveled in the sensation ofDevyn’s breasts against hers. It made her wet. It made her want to be touched.

Devyn didn’t revel. She didn’t dwell. She seemed to be on amission, and far be it from Elizabeth to get in her way. She kissed Elizabethslowly and then fast. She slid her hands from Elizabeth’s waist to her rib cageuntil they found the undersides of Elizabeth’s breasts. Elizabeth pulled hermouth from Devyn’s to breathe through the sparks that hit when Devyn’s handstouched her intimately through her dress. Her hips rocked subtly. She couldn’tstop them.

“I love this dress on you,” Devyn breathed. “I need to say goodbyeto it now.”

Elizabeth nodded and watched as Devyn lifted the blue fabric overher head, leaving her standing there in her bra and underwear, the sight ofwhich must have done something to Devyn because she crushed her mouth toElizabeth’s and walked her backward, directionless, as their lips danced, andshe clutched Elizabeth’s ass.

Bam. Her back met the refrigerator. She instinctively reached toher left and killed the kitchen lights. The small portion of her brain that wasstill working reminded her that she might not want to give the neighbors ashow.

“You’re more beautiful than I even imagined,” Devyn said, runningher hand slowly down Elizabeth’s body, over her bra, across her stomach, andslipping gently between her legs. The slight pressure Devyn applied when shepressed upward nearly had Elizabeth out of her skin. She needed thatrefrigerator. She thanked God for it. The stroking that ensued was heaven,hypnotic and rhythmic, which let her climb and climb. She hissed in a breath,already so very turned on, her underwear already so damp. It wouldn’t takemuch. Her hips moved instinctually, pushing back against Devyn’s hand,requesting the release she so desperately needed.