Page 42 of Storm Warning
“Is this my sign you’d leave me in the water like Rose did Jack?” I ask as a joke, but that doesn’t mean I’m not curious about the answer.
She shrugs, a mischievous glint burning in her gaze as she says, “Depends on how I feel after this date.”
Feisty per the usual, but, nonetheless, I laugh.
Questions whirl in my mind, but I don’t get the chance to ask one as she shoots off, “Cereal before milk or milk before cereal?”
I pause. Of all the questions to ask, this is what she lands on? I mean, there has to be some hidden meaning behind it,right? No, I’ve got to be over thinking this. We all do it the same. It’s just a trick. Whatever, we could talk about nothing, so long as I get to spend time with her, I don’t care. “Not exactly the type of question I expected, but definitely milk before cereal.”
“Hmm. Okay.” She looks confused by my answer as she scrunches her cute, little nose.
It feels like she’s let down her wall, humanizing herself through a silly little interrogation. Seeing this side of her is fun.
“Why’d ya ask that?” I start to overthink my answer, like it makes any difference. Replaying what my routine is as if I have to confirm I answered correctly. “That good or bad?”
She hums. “Just making sure you didn’t have a crazy answer. It’s pretty important to make sure I know the person I keep kissing isn’t a serial killer.”
“Interestin’ way to gauge somethin’ with such high stakes, but since ya didn’t walk off, I’m guessin’ I passed?” She laughs, the sound like music to my ears. I bite back a satisfied grin. “So, cereal first puts me on NCIS?”
She shakes her head, her grin growing wider as she says, “No, milk does.”
“What? Why?”
“Because why would you fill an empty bowl with milk? You literally can’t fit as much cereal in that way.”
“I guess lock me up now.” I blow out a breath for some dramatic flare. “I like to add a little bit of cereal at a time. Can’t stand soggy shit, and I’ll drink the milk if it causes a problem.”
She starts to stand. “Well, it was nice knowing you.”
I reach for her hand and pull her back down. “Fuck it, I’ll eat it your way. It’s weird, but not a deal breaker.” There’s a lightness on her face, a warmth in her eyes I’m not used to. And now that I’ve seen it, I’m addicted to it. “Okay my turn. What’s with all the fancy outfits? Even today, you’ve got sparkles on your ass.”
“Did you just admit to looking at my ass?” she teases, not a trace of anger or hostility lurking beneath the surface.
With a wink, I reply, “I did, and I’d do it again. No shame here.”
She considers her words as she takes another piece of funnel cake into her mouth. I do the same, forgetting we even had it. “I like to make everything I own feel more me. Bright colors and sparkles just feels so much more fun than wearing black.”
“Well, I like it.” Honestly, I like everything she wears. “Ya could wear a potato sack and still be just as attractive. But I like that ya try somethin’ different. Ya look good.”
“Thank you, and thank you for the snacks,” she says, before taking another bite of funnel cake. A soft sound of enjoyment passes her lips. A moan of delight I wouldn’t mind hearing if she took a bite of me as well.
“Ya have to admit this beats whatever ya had planned for today.” I keep my tone light, but I’m burning for the answer.
“Even more than I expected, Casanova.”
The honesty in her words hits me like a semi truck. I wasn’t expecting her to agree so easily. A teasing jest? Maybe. A snarky response? Definitely. But raw, unbridled honesty… Yeah, that’s a shock.
I glance down as she bites her lip, and I notice a bit of powdered sugar at the edge of her mouth. I can’t help but place my finger under her chin, tilting her head back ever so slightly as I brush away the sugar with my thumb.
“Now, Angel, ya be careful dishin’ out a sentiment like that. Ya might have me grovelin’ on my knees before ya know it.”
Her full lashes flutter down then up again, and, for whatever reason, it sends a chill down my spine. I keep my hand under her chin a bit longer, before leaning in to kiss her pink, frosty lips. The taste of lemons and sugar dance between ourtongues. A sweetness that carries over to the perfume she wears, and it takes everything in me not to pick up where we left off in her office.
I keep my lips close to hers, looking deep into her stare. “Guess we both got a prize today.”
“Is that so?” She glares back at me with an intensity I would love to explore.
My pulse roars in my ears as I fight to hold back the smile on my lips. Ma always says persistence pays off and boy was she right. As I stare back into the green and gold eyes of the most enticing woman I’ve met, I can see a spark I hadn’t seen before, and I think I’m the match.
