Page 41 of Tequila & Lace

As though someone had flipped a switch, the sky opened up and started pouring. On instinct, I started to stand and make a bee line for the nearest cover, but before I could lift myself up, he grabbed my arm and stilled me.

“Wait…” he pleaded. He was wearing his usual devious smile.

Being in this moment with him I felt happy and free. Like I didn’t have a care in the world. It was just us—Andi and Paul—enjoying the here and now, and I didn’t want it to end.

I tipped my head back feeling the rain on my face and spread my arms out to the sides. Paul’s hands gripped my hips, making their way around my waist. I looked back down at him and laughed. Needing to touch him, I brought my hands back and ran them through his finger length brown hair. He dipped his head, resting against my chest and in response, I simply wrapped my arms around him. I knew what he was saying without him speaking a single word. I felt it too.

And it scared the hell out of me.

“Should I be jealous?” Paul asked as I came into the living room dressed for my date.

I looked down at my fire engine red dress. “It’s not my fault you told me to dress casual for our two dates.”

He pulled me down so I was straddling him on the couch and it caused me to squeal. “But I’m the lucky one who gets to see you in your pajamas.”

I smiled and leaned forward to kiss him briefly. “Exactly and you’re gonna make me late.”

“Where are you going?”

“The Palazzo to play craps.”

“Do you know how to play?”

I shook my head and laughed. “Do I even need to know how to play?”

“Not looking like this.” He laughed and ran his hands up both of my bare thighs until they rested on my ass. Goosebumps pricked my skin and that butterfly feeling returned to the pit of my stomach.

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

“Well, I’m going to wing it, blow on the dice, flirt.” I shrugged.

He groaned. “Yeah, this whole dating other people thing isn’t working.”

“How do you think I felt all week?”

He leaned his head back on the couch, looking up at the ceiling, but not removing his hands from my butt. “I never thought I was a jealous man before you.”

“I thought you didn’t date before me?”

He raised his head just enough so his gaze could meet mine. “No, I said I hadn’t been in a serious relationship in a long time.”

I smirked. “So we’re in a serious relationship?”

The grip on my ass tightened and he moved in one swift motion so I was laying on the couch and he was hovering over me, one leg on the floor. “Yeah, gorgeous, we are.”

“I’m kidding, sugar lips.”

“Sugar lips?” He grinned.

“You don’t like it?”

“I’ve upgraded to a nickname?”

I nodded.