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Letting out a low chuckle, Jo’s fingers absentmindedly twisted her wine glass. “You totally did,” she said. “You even asked me about the engine. Or don’t you remember?”

Sighing, Evelyn shook her head. “Okay, I remember,” she answered. “Part of it was a little geeking, but also I was trying to impress you.”

Jo leaned closer. “Well, it worked,” she whispered. Evelyn’s cheeks flushed slightly, and moving back a little, Jo took a slow sip of wine. She enjoyed the way Evelyn was starting to relax. The earlier nerves she clearly felt when Jo arrived had faded, replaced by something softer.More open, Jo thought.Like she enjoys having me in her private space.

“You know what’s funny?” Evelyn said, shifting slightly so she was more angled toward Jo. “I don’t think I’ve ever dated someone who works with their hands like you do.”

Intrigued, Jo raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What kind of people do you usually go for?”

Evelyn hesitated, and then her shoulders slumped. “You really want to know?” she asked, and Jo nodded.

“Absolutely.”

“Honestly, I never really date,” Evelyn answered. “And never a woman.”

Pausing, Jo took in what Evelyn said. “I see,” she said slowly. “And is there a reason why?”

Swirling the wine in her glass, as if to buy some time, Evelyn finally shrugged. “I think I always took the safe route,” she answered. “Predictable.”

Narrowing her eyes, Jo hummed. “And I’m not predictable?” she said, keeping a playful tone in her voice.

Meeting her gaze, Evelyn’s lips curved slightly. “Not even a little,” she replied. “I would never have expected to be here right now with you.”

Jo grinned. “Good. The last thing I ever want is to be predictable.”

“I walked right into that, didn’t I?” Evelyn said with a smile.

“Evelyn,” Jo said, her voice dropping slightly before she finished her wine and set it on the coffee table. “You’ve been walking into new territory with me since the moment we met.” Evelyn’s breath hitched, and Jo saw it. The moment Evelynlet the chemistry between them grow into something stronger. Something charged. Evelyn set her wine glass down on the coffee table as if she needed her hands free for whatever was about to happen next.

Jo watched as Evelyn’s gaze dropped to her mouth, then back to her eyes. “You keep looking at me like that,” Jo murmured. “And I’ll think you have something on your mind.”

Not answering right away, Evelyn reached out, her fingers trailing lightly over Jo’s forearm on the back of the couch, a slow, deliberate touch that sent heat curling low in Jo’s stomach. “Maybe I do,” Evelyn finally said, her voice softer but more certain.

Feeling heat roll through her, Jo knew her control was slipping a little. “Yeah?” she asked, her voice rougher than she intended.

Evelyn didn’t respond with words. Instead, she moved. Slow and deliberate, she pulled her skirt higher, lifting herself onto her knees before swinging a leg over Jo’s lap, straddling her with a confidence that made Jo’s breath catch. Her hands instinctively found Evelyn’s waist, steadying her, but she didn’t tighten her grip yet. Not until she knew exactly where Evelyn wanted to take this. The woman settled against her, her body hot, her hands sliding up Jo’s chest before resting lightly on her shoulders.

Her lips were parted slightly, and her eyes were half closed. “Still think I go for the predictable route?” Evelyn whispered.

Swallowing hard, Jo’s pulse pounded as she looked at Evelyn, her grip on her waist tightening just enough to keep her there. “Not anymore,” she murmured. “Definitely not anymore.”

Her heart hammering as she straddled Jo’s lap, Evelyn’s hands trembled slightly as they rested on Jo’s shoulders. She feltthe heat of Jo’s body through her clothes, the firmness of her muscles, and the way Jo’s hands gripped her waist with a sense of possession that sent shivers down her spine. She was in uncharted territory, but she was determined to explore it. Jo’s eyes were dark with desire, and it gave Evelyn confidence. She leaned in, her lips brushing against Jo’s in a soft, teasing kiss that quickly deepened into something more urgent. Jo’s mouth was hot and demanding, her tongue sliding against Evelyn’s in a way that made her entire body ache with need.

Evelyn’s hands slid down Jo’s chest, feeling the hard planes of muscle beneath her shirt. She fumbled with the buttons, her fingers shaking with anticipation and nerves. Jo chuckled softly against her lips, a low, husky sound that sent a jolt of electricity straight to Evelyn’s core. “You don’t need to be nervous,” Jo murmured, her voice rough with desire. She helped Evelyn with the buttons, her own hands steady and confident. Evelyn held her breath as Jo’s shirt fell open, revealing nothing but hot skin and small, naked breasts.

Tentatively, Evelyn reached and let her fingers trace the line of Jo’s collarbone before sliding down to touch her breast. Jo’s nipple hardened against her fingers, and Evelyn gasped at the sensation. She had never touched a woman like this, had never felt the softness of another woman’s skin, the firmness of her breasts. It was intoxicating. Jo groaned, her head falling back against the couch as Evelyn’s fingers explored her. She arched into Evelyn’s touch, her own hands gripping Evelyn’s hips tightly. “God,” Jo whispered, her voice ragged. “That feels so good.”

Excited, Evelyn pressed the nipple harder. “I want to taste it,” she murmured. “Is that okay?” Jo nodded, and Evelyn slid down her lap until her lips found the tight nipple. She hesitated for a moment, unsure, but the way Jo’s body responded to her touch gave her the courage she needed.

She flicked her tongue against the hardness, drawing out a low moan from Jo. “Oh yeah,” she growled. “Like that.” Evelyn felt wetness between her own thighs, the ache in her core that begged for release, and she sucked harder. In response, Jo’s hands moved to Evelyn’s breasts, her fingers finding her hardened nipples through the blouse. Evelyn gasped as Jo’s fingers pinched and teased, sending waves of pleasure coursing through her. There wasn’t a time she remembered ever being more turned on, and all with only a few touches. It was crazy, but she was on fire.

Pulling back, she looked into Jo’s hungry eyes and saw everything she felt reflected in them. “Jo,” she whispered, her voice barely more than a gasp. “Take me to the bed—”

But before she could finish her sentence, a sharp knock at the front door shattered the moment. Evelyn froze, her heart pounding in her ears as reality came crashing back in and Jo’s hands stilled on her body.

“Evelyn?” a distraught-sounding voice called from the other side of the door. “Are you in there? Please be home.”

Evelyn’s eyes widened as she recognized the voice. Sophie, one of her very best friends. She scrambled off Jo’s lap, her hands shaking as she tried to straighten her blouse. Jo sat up and quickly buttoned her shirt.