Their tongues came together in a dark rhythm where they each took turns leading in the dance. Her fingers slowly worked their way up the front of his chest to find his shoulders. There, they dug in, pulling him down to her level and pushing him closer to the precipice. Despite his own resolve, his hands had somehow found their way to cup her bottom, the fit perfect. He cursed the layers of clothing between them that prevented him from exploring the silk of her skin firsthand.
But standing out here on the sidewalk certainly wasn’t the place for that. The two of them might be alone for the moment, but there was no way of knowing how long that would last. They could always find someplace a helluva lot more private, but once again he reminded himself that it was too soon. He gently applied the brakes, slowing them down, banking the fires but still enjoying the heat from the coals. With luck, Natalie would taste his reluctance right along with his pleasure.
When they finally broke off the kiss completely, he briefly tucked her head against his chest, both of them breathing hard. He was at a total loss as to what to say next.Thank youwasn’t quite right, but neither wasCan we go somewhere else and pick up where we just left off?
Thank goodness Natalie stepped up to bat. “I’m really glad you told me to brace myself. Otherwise, I’m not sure my legs would still be supporting me right now.”
Her grin and peek-a-boo dimples hit just the right notes, telling him she’d enjoyed the kiss but that it was also time to move on. He did his best to match her lighthearted response.
“Come on, Cinderella, let’s get you home. It will be the pumpkin hour before you know it.”
She slipped her hand into his as they made their way back to the restaurant parking lot, which was now deserted except for his car, another reminder of how late it had gotten. The drive back to her house was over all too soon. Tino accompanied Natalie up to her front door, each step of the way wishing like hell that he wasn’t just seconds from walking away alone. Not to mention hard and hurting.
Natalie dug out her keys. “Thank you again for the wonderful evening, Tino.”
“You are welcome. I had a great time.”
And they could have an even better one if she’d invite him in. Maybe she was a mind reader, because she brought the subject up herself. “It’s tempting to ask you if you’d like to come inside for…well, you know for what.”
She paused to bite her lower lip before continuing, frowning up at him, her pretty eyes worried. “Not to give you my entire history, but I recently broke off an engagement to a man I went with for several years. You’re not the first man I’ve gone out with since that happened, but you are the first man that I’ve considered inviting in.”
He took that for the compliment that it was and hushed her with a fingertip over her lips. “It’s enough to know you were tempted.”
Then he kissed her again, deliberately keeping this one more happy than hungry. “Get some rest. I’m guessing you probably have a long day ahead of you and then that obligation you already had scheduled for tomorrow night.”
Damn, he hadn’t meant to let that last part slip out. He had no right to ask what plans she had that precluded her from spending that time with him.
Once again, she answered the question he wouldn’t ask. “I have to go to a cocktail party at an art gallery that’s featuring a new artist whose work my mother really likes. To be honest, I’d just as soon give it a pass, especially when I have to be at the community center bright and early on Saturday, but I promised her.”
Tino brushed a lock of her hair back from her face. “The things we do for family.”
“So true.”
She unlocked her door and stepped inside. Tino hated even the thin barrier of the door coming between them. He needed to know for sure that she really did want to see him again, even if it was only because he knew how to patch drywall.
“Sorry about the cocktail party. Maybe it won’t be all that bad. I also meant to tell you that if everything goes as scheduled tomorrow, I should be able to lend a hand at the center on Saturday. That is, if you want me to come.”
To lighten the moment, he waggled his eyebrows and added, “I could bring some other power tools for you to try out.”
Natalie’s bright laughter rang out. “You sweet-talking man, I’ll be counting the minutes.”
“I’ll see you then.”
As he started back down the sidewalk, she called after him. “But for the record, Mr. Gianelli, I’d want you there even if you’d never picked up a hammer in your entire life. See you on Saturday.”
Okay, then. He’d be counting down the minutes, too. The only problem would be telling Jack that they had to finish up the job tomorrow come hell or high water. They should make it if they started early and stayed late. His brother would bitch and moan, but too damn bad. There was no way Tino was going to miss out on spending Saturday with Natalie even if he had to share her with all the other volunteers who showed up to help.
He was still smiling when he reached the annex and headed up the steps to his narrow bed. He might be sleeping alone, but he’d likely be enjoying some pretty hot dreams thanks to that amazing kiss down on the waterfront. Ones that featured him and a certain petite blonde with eyes the color of a summer sky and the kind of dimples guaranteed to drive a man crazy.
