“Oh my god, you—”
“Okay, let’s not say things we might regret when everything actually turned out fine,” Nuri placates. “So what did you guys do for an hour at the beach? Did you just draw and ignore him?”
Blood rushes to my face and I lift my wineglass to my mouth, taking a big gulp.
“Nothing much,” I say, my voice not as assured as I would have hoped, the memories of his hands roaming all over me vivid in my mind.
“Oh no, she’s lying,” Nuri chuckles. “What happened?”
“Nothing! We just… Respected Ikram’s strict sunscreen schedule.”
I roll my eyes and take another sip when I see them giggling like schoolgirls over such a small thing.
Why do I feel heat pooling between my legs when I think about it? It wasnothing. Just some kind of practical massage. But it did make me wonder about all the other places his hands could touch. All the different ways his body could be pressed against mine.Inside mine. What his voice would sound like, a little breathless in my ear, muffled in my neck. How his lips would feel against my own, or other sensitive places. If his teeth would scrape or nibbleat my skin.
Yeah. I’m all worked up just thinking about a massage.
And I definitely want to draw that moment he was pressing against my back at the beach.
“Where is he taking you for the date? And when is it?” Evie asks, pouring another round of wine for everyone.
“Actually, I didn’t say yes. Yet.”
“What?” Nuri scowls.
“I mean, I was going to! But then Tham texted me and I got distracted, and—”
“Then what are you waiting for? Text him back!”
“What, like now?”
“Yes now!” They both yell in unison.
“Okay, okay…”
I pick up my phone and open our last texts. He asked me about an hour ago.
Nate: But hold all those thoughts, and go on a date with me.
Nate: Tuesday night? I have a consult at the precinct, we can go from there.
Prudence: I’d love to. Should I bring sunscreen?
I nibble on my bottom lip when I see the three dots appearing and disappearing, waiting, both Nuri and Evie sitting next to me, their eyes locked on the screen.
Nate: If you want my hands on you, you just have to ask, sweetness.
Nate: But no, no need. Bring comfy clothes that make you feel pretty.
Prudence: Comfy but pretty clothes?
Nate: Not what I asked. I want you to feel pretty.
Prudence: Okay…
Nate: Tuesday. We’ll meet at the precinct. I’ll wait for you in your cubicle if you’re late.
“If you want my hands on you, you just have to ask, sweetness,” Nuri drawls, trying to mimic Nate’s deep voice with a sultry look.
