Page 104 of Time To Learn

21

Laura

My palms sweaty,I run my hands down my simple, royal blue tube dress, which hugs my curves and stops just above my knees. I try not to fiddle with my hair that I’ve tried to curl before pulling it back in a low ponytail—bloody hell, it took forever, but I hope Kristian likes it. It’s been ages since I’ve dressed up for a date, but even though it’s foreign to me, I like the way it makes mefeel.

I welcome the anticipation that mingles with butterflies. Besides, after I’d had my bath earlier, I came to the conclusion that both Mum and Trish were right.

It’s time I gave another man a chance and stop living in thepast.

I take a shaky breath as I hear the gentle knock on the door and turn my head to watch Kristian as he walks inside. His eyes widen as he takes me in, standing next to the kitchen sink and he jolts to a stop. Feeling exposed, I shuffle a bit until his stance shifts and he smiles atme.

I offer him a cautious smile.

“Hey,” he mutters in that low, husky voice that turns my insides to mush. As he tugs off his boots, his eyes trail every inch of my body, making me push my bare feet firmly into the hardwood floor beneathme.

“Hey, yourself.”

He turns his head and takes in the table I’veset.

“Seeing as I have the house to myself for once, I thought we could have dinner—get to know each other better,” I offer, wringing my hands. “I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, but…”

“It looks nice, Laura,” he interrupts, as he walks towards me. “Realnice.”

“Thankyou.”

Crap, why does he have to look so delicious rightnow?

His hair is pulled back from his face, and I want to lick my lips at the scruff on his jaw. The fabric of his white T-shirt stretches across his toned chest, making me relive the way it felt underneath my hands when we had sex last night. And his black jeans look as if they’re glued to his stronglegs.

Everything about him oozes sex, confidence, and something else I can’t quite put my fingeron.

No, it’s Kristian. Inherently him—male, sexy, and swoonworthy.

I glance down at the bulge straining against the fabric and wet my lips, already eager for the dessert part of themenu.

Me. Him. Naked. Sweaty. Hungry.

“So,” he muses as he stops in front of me, “is this our first officialdate?”

I smile at the way his eyes crinkle at the corners.

“Yes. Sortof.”

He takes another step, his chest coming achingly close to mine, and my heart flutters at his closeness.

“I feel like a fool.” There’s a sheepish smile in his eyes as he looks atme.

I frown athim.

“Why isthat?”

“Because I didn’t bring you any flowers. I think that’s the way people usually go about things—the man is supposed to give his woman a flashy bouquet on their first date, right?”

I grin at the way his eyes glint playfully atme.

“I don’t need flashy stuff, Kristian,” I whisper. “I just need to have a goodtime.”

He nods as he leans down to kiss my cheek.