Page 14 of Accidental Blind Date

Internally or otherwise.

I’ve been in rooms with women. Not many but I have.

One-night stands and hookups are not my go to, and when it has happened, there was a lot more alcohol and a lot less witty banter.

Libby is nervous.

She’s not saying it, but I can see it.

I can also tell that she doesn’t do this either.

Whatever this is.

“The view is amazing,” she says, stepping closer to the window overlooking the city.

“It is,” I say but she doesn’t turn around.

“Now that’s a line. Let me guess, you’re looking at me and not out the window.”

Damn.

“Maybe,” I answer, loosening my tie. She turns around and notices, so I stop, holding out the tie. “Don’t worry. I’m just trying to get comfortable. Nothing else implied.”

“Right…” she sneers, and I can’t tell if she is upset or making fun of me.

“Is it okay if I take my shoes off? Or is that breaking the rules. It’s just that they’re new. They’re Van Huesens and they’re rubbing my heels and–”

“Oh my God,” she shakes her head laughing,that laugh, and I grin. Then it fades because rules or not, I can’t do this. Or I can’tnotdo this.

I want her.

“I want to kiss you.” I say.

It’s a Russian Roulette of a statement.

Because, while she has humored me this long, I still haven’t gotten any green lights.

Most of them have been yellow.

“Okay,” she says. It’s apprehensive. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t the slightest bit nervous too.

So, I reach down and place my hand on the small of her back.

She’s going to have to stand on her toes, even with her heels on if our mouths are going to reach.

But at the touch of my hand, her body does just that.

She steps up, her back arching and her front pressing against me.

I take her chin between my fingers, and I kiss her.

Her lips are as soft as they looked, her mouth sweet from the gin and muddled berries.

My palm brushes over her cheek and the kiss goes deeper.

I don’t know how much of her I am going to get to taste tonight.

But if this is it, it’s enough.