“I’ll be helping with quality control at a well-known winery.” Dean held out his arms in his ta-da moment.
I blinked. Totally not what I expected. This was the important news he’d been discussing so early in the morning with his adviser? That could’ve waited until later in the day after we had sex.
“So you get to taste test wine? Yes, that’s absolutely you, old boy.” Russell rolled his eyes and then folded his arms. “That should be my job.”
“Hey, I like wine,” Dean said and then added, “and there’s far more to it than just taste testing. A lot of science. It’s really quite fascinating.”
“Okay.” Emily then whooped. “Yay! Congratulations. That’s great news!”
“But that’s not all.” A grin curled up Dean’s lips. “The winery is located in Bloomington.”
I stopped breathing. Did he just say what I thought he said?
“Oh my god.” Emily gasped. Then asked, “Indiana, right?” When Dean nodded, she shrieked. “Bloomington, Indiana!”
I couldn’t move. I could hear my every heartbeat. I was imagining this. I’d lost my mind and shaped a new reality.
“So, if you’re in need of a new roommate, I’m looking for a place to live.” Dean stepped toward me and held out his hand. His fingers trembled ever so slightly. Long fingers, ones that could so easily bring me to great heights of pleasure.
Emily started to say something, but Russell shushed her again, whispering in her ear.
The distance I’d worried would separate me and Dean had vanished. His suspicious calls from his adviser, all to arrange his internship. A placement in the city I lived. Why wasn’t I taking his hand and kissing him madly?
Because I’d acted like an idiot. Paranoid because he was talking to another woman. Negative about our relationship because he lived far away. I wasn’t being a realist, just a plain jerk.
“I mean, if moving in together is too much for you right now, that’s okay. I understand. We don’t need to rush it.” There was Dean the perfect guy again. “Whatever you’re comfortable with. I can get my own place. My internship pays, so I don’t have to worry about finances.”
Thoughtful and gorgeous. He was doing this for me.
Russell was right. I’d never seen Dean drink wine or even heard him talk about it. He drank beer.
All for me. That hollowness filled until I thought I might burst.
“Yes.” I grabbed his hand. “Yes, move in with me.”
Dean smiled as he drew me to him and kissed me long and hard. I relaxed against him, wanting nothing more than to celebrate by finishing what we’d started earlier. Too bad there was an audience now.
Emily tackled us with a hug onto the bed. “This is so awesome! Everything is working out.”
“Now we can have a celebratory foursome.” Russell stood over us and started to unbutton his shirt.
“Whoa there!” Dean untangled himself and tugged me to him as he laughed. “I don’t share. Sorry.”
Emily hopped up and swatted at her husband. She flushed as she said, “You’re such a horndog.”
“And you love it.” Russell nipped at her neck.
I buried my face against Dean’s shoulder. I did not in any way want to watch my best friend getting mauled by Snidely Whiplash. But it was clear by the little noises Emily made, she did truly love the horny bastard.
“Breakfast in an hour, ladies and gentleman,” Russell announced. “I’ve collected my things and I’ll load them into the car. We’ll meet you two down in the hotel restaurant.”
Emily gave me one more hug before she skipped out of the room behind Russell. Our whole world had changed in less than fifteen minutes. I had expected to feel broken by the time the day was out, but now all the pieces of my life’s puzzle were coming together, and the picture they were creating was glorious.
“I love what you’re thinking.” Dean kissed me softly.
“How do you know what I’m thinking?” I shifted to face him, still wrapped in his arms. I hooked one leg over his body and cursed my wet curls as they fell into my face.
Dean brushed my hair back and pressed his forehead to mine. “That light in your eyes, the lovely smile on your lips. God, you’re so beautiful.”
Heat rushed up to my face. “Did you plan all along on taking an internship in Bloomington?”
“Not until this weekend. My adviser and I have been discussing for over a month now what might be right for me.” He caressed my cheek and then traced over my lips. “When she mentioned a few openings in the wineries in Bloomington, I knew it was fate.”
His little touches sent my blood to boiling. I wiggled my body more closely to his. “Fate, hmm?”
“I don’t believe in coincidence.” Dean kissed me and rolled so that he was on top. His arousal was barely contained in his pants.
“So it wasn’t coincidence two years ago when we both joined Steampunk Quest?” I pattered my fingers up along his back.
“Nope. Fate.” He ground down against me as his lips grazed mine.
I groaned. “And when you came across me outside the bathroom at the pub when I was having corset problems?”
“Fate,” Dean repeated and pressed himself against me again. “Beautiful, magnificent fate.”
Tingles sparked throughout my body. Like a night sky full of stars. And I was inclined to believe that fate had, indeed, brought us together.
Frak. I was a romantic.
About Christine Raines
Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she's not reading or writing, she's going on adventures with her son, watching cheesy monster movies or playing games with friends. Christine is a proud member of the Untethered Realms and S.C.I.F.I. She has several short stories and novellas published in other genres. The hilarious and nerdy Dice and Debauchery series is her first one with Ellora's Cave.
Christine welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Loose Corset
ISBN 9781419992933
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Loose Corset Copyright © 2015 Christine Raines
Cover design by Allyse Leodra
Cover photography by Shutterstock
Electronic book publication January 2015
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