Happy Wednesday! Ready for this week’s buffet of Mid Week Teases, hosted by author Sandra Bunino? Fabulous!
Last week Miles came to Jamie’s rescue when her old truck, Byron, wouldn’t start in the early morning hours after the bar closed. For weeks they’ve gotten to know each other with the bar serving as a wall between them. They were both struck by the intimate proximity of the car ride home, in comparison. It’s an opportunity Miles just can’t let pass, but will Jamie welcome his advance?
<===EXCERPT FROM LOVE ME NOT (BAD BOYS GONE GOOD BOOK #2)===>
Jamie parked in the closest available space to her third-floor rental. “I’m up the street there. Thanks for the ride, and for letting me drive. Will you be able to find your way back?”
“Sure, I’ve got my GPS. I’ll be fine. But that’s a long way up the street. I’ll walk you to your door.”
“Not necessary. This neighborhood is a snoozefest. Trust me, I’ll be fine.” She stepped out of the car.
Miles exited the passenger door, and she handed him the key. “My mother taught me to always walk a lady to her door. So please, just indulge me here. You’re killing my knight-in-shining-armor moment.”
She slung her bag over her shoulder and surveyed his face. “Okay, fine, but to the door, no further.”
He raised his hands in surrender. “To the door is fine.”
Miles locked the car and walked beside her down the street in silence. It was dark, but with the streetlights on he could see that the neighborhood was full of solid, older homes. Most of the houses were duplexes and two-family homes. There were a few single family homes, too. All of them seemed to be well cared for, even though they were probably built at least half a century ago.
“Nice neighborhood,” he said. “How long’ve you lived here?”
“In this place? About two years. Ma is about five minutes from here. I’ve lived a few places, never more than fifteen minutes away from her.”
“I’m sure she’s happy about that.”
“It makes her feel like I’m within reach, I guess.” She shrugged, digging her keys out of her bag. She turned up the drive of a beige two-family home. There were two cars parked in front of the two-car garage. “Thanks again for the ride. I’m exhausted. The last thing I wanted to deal with was a tow truck driver. Ma or Mimi will drive me over in the morning to get it towed. I’ll have to deal with the speech about letting my auto club membership lapse, but hey, I deserve it, right?”
“Or you could let me pick you up tomorrow and use my auto club membership. Then they’d never have to know,” he said quickly. He paused for a moment, realizing for the first time how strange it was not to have a two-foot oak bar separating them. He inhaled the floral scent drifting from her.
Jamie shifted the bag on her shoulder and sighed. “I appreciate what you did tonight, but I can’t impose on you any more than I already have.”
“Why not? I thought we were friends.” He smiled. “That’s the kind of thing friends do for each other, right?”
Jamie leaned against the side of the house. He could barely see her face in the darkened drive, but he could feel the warmth from her skin. He leaned in slowly, closing the space between them. His movement so gradual it felt like slow motion. He needed to be sure she wanted this, too.
Miles placed his hands gently on either side of her face and pressed his lips against hers. He relished the feel of her lips—plump, soft and firm. Savored their taste—sweet and tingly from the mint she’d popped in the car.
She’d leaned in closer and was kissing him back, her fingertips resting gently on his sides. He glided the tip of his tongue along the seam of her lips then slid it between them. Suddenly she pressed the heels of her hands firmly against his chest, pushing him away.
Shit! It was the tongue, wasn’t it? The tongue was too much.
<===END OF EXCERPT===>
Thank you for visiting and getting to know Miles and Jamie. Ready for more literary hors d’oeuvres? We have a wide selection for you this week. Grab a glass of vino and savor the tasty teases at the next stops.