The bonus on that kiss was she had never kissed a man with a beard before. And now she knew exactly what she had been missing. His beard scratched a little, but it also was a tactile reminder that she was kissing a hot blooded, full throttle, real life man.
He gave the hostess a nod and they were led to a table by one of the windows. In the center of the room was an open fire pit that vented through the ceiling. It gave you the feeling of being inside the smoker. It also smelled amazing. Cambry hoped that her stomach didn’t take that opportunity to growl and make her look like someone searching for a free meal.
Evan pulled out her chair and she sat down. He took the seat across from her and they took the menus from the hostess.
“Does this place come with bibs?” she asked with an awkward laugh.
“Actually they do have them. But I have figured out the perfect meal to give you all the good food without the mess.”
“I’ll let you order then. I love all meat so there isn’t anything I won’t eat.” Damn, why did that sound dirty? She cringed inwardly.
“Perfect. By the way, I’m not going to apologize for kissing you. I would have done it the first time I met you if I thought you wouldn’t punch me.”
“Why on earth would you want to kiss someone you just met?”
“Because if there was ever a woman that needed to be kissed, it’s you Cambry Sinclair. You need to be kissed often, and by a man that knows what he’s doing. In fact, I think the more I kiss you, the more you are going to want me to. I’ll be happy to oblige.”
“Hmm, maybe I don’t want your kisses.” She was trying to sound brave but she came off sadly flat.
“Don’t you? Tell me that wasn’t a fantastic kiss. And tell me even though it was brief, you aren’t dying to try it again.”
Cambry never took herself for a liar and she would just sound like a petulant child if she denied it now.
“You’ve got me in a corner here,” she quipped.
“Hmm, corner, that just means I can press my body up against yours when I kiss you again. Maybe slide my hands around and cup that luscious ass of yours. I’ve been dreaming about that too.”
Cambry’s mouth dropped open just as the waitress came up to their table. Evan ordered for both of them as she was still trying to slow her breathing. Her mind went straight to that corner. Evan’s hard body pressed against her, her breasts crushed under him, his hips pressing between her legs. It sounded hot and intense.
The waitress left and Evan’s eyes came back to her. He watched her for a moment and then he leaned forward. “Cambry, that wasn’t a tease. That was what I want to do to you right now. I’m restraining myself because I want more from you than just the physical. But don’t doubt for a moment that I’m using all of my strength to not find somewhere private to find out just what you taste like. I want you to come home with me tonight, and I want to spend the night making love to you. You have nothing to feel insecure about, not with me.”
Cambry wanted to frown at him, but his words felt good. Yes, they were highly sexualized and they probably weren’t proper dinner table conversation, but it didn’t change how he was making her feel. His eyes were hot and so focused on her that she knew he wasn’t lying. Never in her life had someone stated so clearly and honestly what they wanted to do to her physically. There were no skills in her arsenal to deal with it. Miles’s idea of foreplay was announcing that he had trimmed his pubes. Not hot, not even a little.
If she asked her girls right now, they would most likely be annoyed that she wasn’t jumping at the opportunity to have a hot guy in her bed, barbeque be damned.
“Wow, I don’t think anyone has ever been that honest with me. I’m a little shocked. Not in a bad way, just still processing.”
“Fair enough. I’ll give you through dinner to process. I’m not saying you have to come home with me. But if you are wavering, I’m hoping that my goodnight kiss might persuade you. And if you find the idea that terrible, I did bring I Don’t Want To Be A Frog, along so you don’t have to talk to me. He leaned down and pulled a book out of a bag on the floor to show her.
He’d brought the book.
Great, now she was going to have to sit through dinner, trying to not wiggle. Her body responded so quickly to his words she was positively breathless. He could paint a picture that seemed to Cambry that he’d been peeking in on her dreams.
What was the harm in going home with him? She was safe; she had been tested after her ex’s shenanigans because if he lied about that part of their life, he could have lied about other parts as well. Cambry knew she wasn’t harboring anything she needed to worry about. She also knew she wasn’t on birth control, because when you when had newly minted plans to become a spinster, why bother? Waverly convinced her to buy condoms just in case sometime in the future she might need them. A few of the foil packets were in her purse under the table and Cambry could feel them calling out to her.
Go ahead, use us, it’ll be fun!
Stupid, talking rubbers.
Chapter 10
“Tell me about yourself.”
Cambry looked up from the spot on the table she had been staring at since she dropped her eyes from his hot gaze.
“How about you tell me about you. I need to warm up a little I think.”
Evan smiled at her gently, but the heat of his gaze ate her up as he looked at her. To anyone else his appearance was a relaxed pose and seemed totally casual. They couldn’t see the connection between the two people that was sparking and pulsing across the table.
He started talking about his family. His parents sounded like they couldn’t have been a more oddly matched couple. His mom was a teacher, was recently retired and his father was a mechanic that belonged to a motorcycle club. He grew up in two different worlds that had him surrounded by knowledge, fast bikes, and lots of love. He had an older sister, making him the baby of the family.
“I never even thought of leaving Colorado. I wanted to go to school here, teach here, and most importantly ride here. I love teaching. Granted, most of my time is split between teaching the alphabet and days of the week, with wiping noses and rushing kids to the bathroom. It’s possibly the best and most challenging job in the world,” he explained.
“I love kids. They are so funny. I had some friends that would get so annoyed at little ones. Especially in restaurants and stores. They’re tiny humans that haven’t even been conscious that long. You expect them to act like adults? I kind of think of them as baby monkeys. Learning and being hysterical at the same time. Who wouldn’t find that charming?”
Evan raised his eyebrow at her. “Oh yes, charming when they vomit on your shoes. I get it though, it’s so amazing how fast they grow and change. I get them when they still have that baby about them. Another year or two and that baby is gone. It’s a blink in their lives that I’m lucky to be present for.”
Cambry could see that he loved his job and his kids. Evan wasn’t the kind of guy that would have his face splashed across the news for being a deceitful asshole. Cambry on the other hand was.
She didn’t know if she should confess or be greedy and wait until she got to spend one night with him before telling him the truth.
Facing him if he thought she was scum would be devastating either way. He was a nice guy. Nice guys didn’t go out with women that were formally married to criminals. Her ex had left a film of greed and corruption on her that she couldn’t seem to slough off.
“You are lucky you love your job. I’m proud of myself every day that I show back up to mine. I’m not complaining that I have a job; I mean I know I’m lucky. But sometimes I wonder what I could do if I had any passion about what I did.”
“Selling clothes wasn’t your dream job?” He was smiling and she knew he wasn’t trying to be a jerk.
“No, it wasn’t. I love fashion, but I wanted to work for a designer, or work for a big retailer. Maybe as a buyer. I went to school for fashion merchandising. Everyone thought it was a fluff job, but i
t taught me about productions, market research, cost, estimates, and statistical planning for the behind the scenes. I know the clothes at Monroe’s didn’t just appear there. Someone ordered them. I’d love to talk to that person because they must be a hundred and seven and color blind.”
“I can’t say I know anything about fashion or design. I’m lucky when my socks match.”
They continued chatting about simple things. Nothing too deep, and for that Cambry was grateful. When their food arrived, she held back the urge to moan at the delicious aromas coming off the rack of ribs and pulled pork in front of her.
“So is it true teachers get the summer off and that’s why you all took that job?”
“Technically yes, but most of us work through the holidays. It’s a chance to earn a little extra money. I work part-time tutoring and then I volunteer at the local YMCA for their summer camp. It’s nice being outside, minus the bugs of course.”
“Hmm, bugs and dirt. You’re a brave man.”
“I don’t know about that. I’m mostly just a big kid myself, so getting to play in the dirt and collect bugs for a few weeks seems like a good use of my time.”
“I don’t camp,” she said with a laugh.
“No? Not even glamping?”
“See that seems like even more work hauling all that stuff out into the woods. Why don’t you just stay at a hotel?”
“Room service and comfy beds. I get that. I could take you camping and I’d make sure you had a good time.”
Cambry was sure of that. “Would we even leave the tent?” It was a bold flirt, but she was feeling more confident.
“I like the way you think. If we don’t leave the tent there is less chance of contact with bugs and dirt.”
Cambry shook her head at him. “If that is the plan, a mattress is a much better idea.”
“Yet most hotels frown on archery in the rooms.”
“Well, there is that drawback. You’re easy to talk to. This isn’t as hard as I thought it would be. I haven’t been on a date in so long I was worried I’d forgotten how to.”
“Vow of celibacy?” He asked seriously.
“Hardly. Actually, since the divorce it hasn’t really crossed my mind. Sometimes when you get out of a relationship you can’t imagine diving into another one. Then when it’s over and final you remember why you got married in the first place. It was to be with someone, not be alone, and have support and companionship. And don’t worry, I don’t think one off first dates are a bad thing. There’s either a spark or there not. And if there isn’t one, no need to keep trying. Nobody wants someone else’s baggage.”
“Such a weird saying. I don’t know any new people, do you?”
“New people?”
“Yeah, people that are so new to the world they have never experienced love or loss. That haven’t had bad relationships, or heartache. I think newborns are the only ones that get that title. After that, their first tears fall. From that moment on they are building on a lifetime of happiness and sadness. Everyone has baggage. Some carry it around and some people unload it. It’s a choice.”
Unload her baggage. What a concept. She tried so hard to not dump everything on her mind to her friends. She didn’t want to overwhelm or burden them.
“What if you are afraid of unloading it on the wrong person?”
“Who says you have to do it with company? After a trip, do you invite your family and friends over to watch you unpack your dirty clothes? No, you do it in private. You sort it out, wash it, fold it, and put it back in the place it belongs. Ready to start over.”
“Start over. That easy, hmm?”
“No, never easy and it’s always a chore. But who wants to live in the chaos of unfinished business? Every morning is a chance to move forward or backward. Nobody is so perfect that they are always moving forward, but if your steps move you to your goals more than they take you back, then you come out on top.”
“You must be a great teacher.”
“I don’t usually get too deep with the six-year-olds, but I do teach them about overcoming.”
Cambry liked that. Overcoming. It sounded like a much more positive way of dealing with her crap.
“And Cambry? This will not be our last date.” His voice was low and meant only for her ears. It made her shiver and she was quickly deciding how the evening was going to end.
After their dinner ended they went for a drive, ending up at a park. Evan convinced her to sit on a swing while he pushed her. She felt silly until she started laughing and feeling a little freer. Evan didn’t push her to talk about anything deeper than what they discussed at dinner. He told her funny stories about his work and the kids in his class. She told him about growing up in Colorado and never thinking she’d move back.
She talked a little about New York, but only the touristy stuff. How she lived there for years and never visited the Statue of Liberty because it was always so busy. How she used to walk for miles every day in high heels and thought nothing of it.
They also argued about pizza. Cambry firmly on the side that New York pizza was the best in the world and Evan standing with the artisan pizza crafters of Denver.
Cambry had held his hand as they walked back to his car. He’d driven them to the park, since taking two cars seemed childish. After the swing and the conversation, there was the briefest moment of awkward silence that apparently they both thought could be easily solved with a heavy make out session.
It was so hot they steamed up the windows and she could only imagine what that might have looked like from the outside. Cambry couldn’t bring herself to stop though. He kissed her like he was making love to her mouth. It was everything physical you could do to another person wrapped into lips, tongue, teeth, and ferocious intent. She found herself clawing at his clothes.
“Baby, stop. I’m not going to make love to you in a car.”
“Who said anything about making love? I need you to take me right now. No big build up, it’s been too damn long.”
“I’d be happy to help you out with that. And not saying I won’t rock your world, baby. But when I make love to you, you need to book a few hours. Right now, all I can think about is getting both of us naked and somewhere I can see all of you.”
Cambry let out a whimpering moan. “Yes, please.” Ever the polite one, she figured it got her point across either way.
Evan had kissed her hard again and started the car. She managed to get her seatbelt on and her shirt tugged down. Finding her button on her jeans undone, she righted that too. When had he unbuttoned her pants?
Glancing over, she watched him adjust the front of his own jeans a few times. Cambry had a good idea of what was under that denim. Her hand had slid over him and as far as she could tell, he was hard and long and she was eager to find out what he was hiding under that material.
She expected him to drive straight to his house but instead he drove them back towards the restaurant.
“Did you forget something?”
Evan was gripping the steering wheel, keeping his eyes on the road. “Babe, I need to cool down. You got me hot and heavy and I don’t want to rush this. Let’s go get some ice cream and talk some more. You okay with that?”
“I offered myself up and you want ice cream?”
“Don’t get me wrong, I want you more than I want the ice cream. But this is important. I think it’s important for both of us to slow down a little. We have time, I’m not going anywhere and I’m sure as fuck not turning you down. Blame me for needing a pause. You wouldn’t want me to embarrass myself and not show you a good time, would you?”
“I’m gonna have to call bullshit on that. There is no way you would embarrass yourself. I agree, a little ice cream shouldn’t freeze out our possibilities for later, right?”
“Right, sugar, conversation, and a little more time, then I will most definitely take you home with me.”
Cambry had to smile to herself. She’d gotten him so riled up, he needed a cool down. That had to be a
first for her and made her feel pretty damn cocky.
Chapter 11
Cambry was looking up at the ceiling giving only the briefest thought to whether she was doing the right thing. Evan was between her legs, or at least his head was and he was driving her mad. She should have been living in the moment, but there was something in the back of her mind keeping her from being there with a man that so clearly was happy to be alone with her.
After talking over candy cane double scoop for her and coffee crunch for him, she found out more about his family and their Christmas tradition of matching sweaters which she found hysterical. Cambry was grateful for the extra time. She was grateful because she was now choosing to go home with him more with her head than her lady parts. Not that they still weren’t getting a vote.
They drove to a large apartment complex that had multi-story buildings in the front and large townhouse-style condos in the back. Evan parked in front of one those condos and his seatbelt was unbuckled and he was at her door in a flash. He’d hit the button on his garage door and as it opened she caught a glimpse of his motorcycle sitting in the middle. He pulled her along towards the door inside. He hit the button for the garage door and was kissing her as they stepped through the door.
Now she was laying on his bed, Evan’s hand spreading her thighs open exposing all of her to him and he was doing his best to make her lose it enough that the neighbors would know his name.
Each step over the last few hours seemed to have a fuzzy sepia effect, as though Cambry was watching it instead of participating. There wasn’t time to over analyze or obsess with Evan. It was all Yes’s or No’s and she kept choosing yes.
Now she had gotten distracted and she was pissed at herself. This was too good to miss and her brain was worrying about whether she was supposed to be there. She had been a married woman. She had made her vows that her ex was going to be her one and only forever. Now there was possibly the world’s hottest man, going down on her as though he was the cunnilingus master, if there was such a thing.
Starting Over: The Broken Hearts Club Page 5