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“He’s an architect, too,” Suzanne said. “He keeps asking if he can take this place off my hands because he wants to revamp it, but I love it here. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.”

“Yeah. I can see why. It really is a gorgeous home. But I think it’s the owner that makes it what it is.”

Suzanne’s cheeks reddened a little as she dipped her head. “It’s nice to share my evenings here with someone again. I don’t believe I could have picked anyone better.”

Jen chose not to comment on that. She was almost certain Suzanne wouldn’t feel that way when she learnt about some other aspects of Jen’s life. “You’ll have to take me for a spin in your Range Rover. It looks like it’s never been driven.”

Suzanne barked a laugh. “Oh, it’s been driven plenty. I just don’t really have anywhere to go in it these days. But yes, I’d love to take you out in it. Maybe that could be our next date? Out of the city for the day.”

“Sounds perfect.” Jen slid her hand across the table, feeling so content that she was quickly forgetting life prior to Suzanne. “I wish I could swap my workdays, but at the moment, I can’t. I’m still on the probation period, so I don’t want to do anything to piss them off, you know?”

“You have the weekends off, right?”

“Kind of. I usually have Friday off and work half a day on Saturdays. But Sundays are my own every week. I’m also not willing to give that up if they need a change on the shift.”

“How about this Sunday?” Suzanne looked up with excitement in her dark eyes. “If you don’t have any plans?”

“It’s a date.” Jen’s heart rate picked up a little, knowing she would see Suzanne again sooner than she thought she would. “Maybe lunch somewhere? It’s on me, of course.”

“I know some lovely places we can drive out to. I’ll make a list and decide which is the best option.”

“Then I will leave that up to you.” Jen pushed her seat back and got to her feet. “I’ll take care of the dishes. You head into the living room and finish your wine. Relax.”

“Jen,” Suzanne said, placing a hand on her wrist. “You don’t have to do that. You’re a guest.”

“You’re right, I am. But I also like to pull my weight. You’ve cooked an amazing dinner, so the least I can do is clear up.” Jen didn’t know what the issue was. The kitchen was already pristine. You’d never know Suzanne had cooked a meal in it. All Jen had to do was load the dishwasher with their plates and cutlery, and then she could spend what was left of this night in front of the fire with Suzanne. “Go on. It’ll only take me five minutes.”

Suzanne eventually agreed, giving Jen the perfect opportunity to check out her arse as she walked away and into the living room. God, she was stunning, but it was her personality and her outlook on life that Jen was most attracted to.

Jen quickly cleared the table and got busy in the kitchen. She wanted to be with Suzanne, not out here, where she could think about things she didn’t need to think about. Jen had been trying so hard to push the memories of the past away, but when she realised how incredibly lucky she was to be on a second date with Suzanne, it was hard to quiet those voices that told her she wasn’t good enough.

She knew she was. Jen had always been good enough for the women she dated. But her brain had a great way of telling her the opposite since she was released from prison.

“Jen?”

Jen popped her head around the wall. “Yeah?”

“I thought you’d got lost. Are you almost done?”

Jen grinned. “Yeah, gorgeous. I’m almost done.”

Slotting the last of the plates into the dishwasher, Jen took a tablet from the clear jar on the countertop and turned it on. She would help herself to another alcohol-free beer, and then she would settle down with Suzanne until she kicked her out the door. Though she hoped Suzanne had remembered her offer earlier. Staying the night washeavilyon Jen’s mind right now.

Just enjoy this. It’s everything you’ve ever wanted.

Chapter 8

Suzanne mindlessly toyedwith Jen’s fingers where they rested on her thigh. Silence may have surrounded them, but Suzanne felt entirely content this evening. She never had needed much in life to feel appreciative, but Jen continued to surprise her with how at ease they seemed to feel around one another. That only proved to Suzanne that her choice to ask Jen out had been the right one. Though, she didn’t need any sort of confirmation. She had known the moment she laid eyes on Jen that she wanted to explore her feelings.

And now, as they sat here, Suzanne only wanted to know more. To learn more. Maybe in time…be more. While she knew what she wanted to come of this newfound budding…relationship? Suzanne also knew that exploring one another for the time being, while not labelling this, was a sensible approach. They both had baggage; it was wise to understand what was happening here before Suzanne even dared to bring a discussion about commitment to the table. Besides, what was the harm in some fun?

“So, tonight has been even more amazing than that first date,” Jen said as she turned her head and looked in Suzanne’s direction. But all Suzanne saw were Jen’s delicious lips moving. She wanted to taste them again. She wanted that mouth to familiarise itself with different areas of Suzanne’s body. Fuck, she wanted Jen to stop talking. “And I know the mention of staying over was something we brought up earlier, but I kinda don’t want to assume?—”

Suzanne leaned in and kissed Jen, cutting her off from wherever this conversation was about to go. She wanted Jen in her bed tonight. Without a doubt. She drew back breathlessly, gazing into Jen’s eyes. “Stay over. Please.”

A smirk spread on Jen’s mouth, the hand on Suzanne’s thigh moving a little higher. Jen was a tease—Suzanne was beginning to realise that—but this night was certainly heading in the right direction. “Are you sure?”

“Do I lookunsure?” Suzanne asked, brow quirked. If this wasn’t all self-explanatory enough, then Suzanne had to try harder. Or maybe she just needed to take the lead here. After all, the look in Jen’s eyes told her exactly how her date was feeling. Jen was absolutely hot under the collar in this moment.