Page 57 of A Shot at Love
“So.” She turned her attention back to Frankie who offered her a small, adorable smile. “Where are we headed tonight?”
“It’s a surprise and it wouldn’t be as fun if I ruined it, would it?”
Finding a bit more of her usual confidence, Frankie rounded the island and slid her hands onto Jules' waist. Their eyes met and Jules had to force back a groan because Frankie’s deep green eyes had alookin them again, one that said she wanted to devour her, and God, it made her feel so many things all at once.
“Before we go anywhere…can I kiss you?”
“Frankie," Jules said, her breath hitching. "You don’t need my permission.”
And she didn’t, she really didn’t. Jules thought she might actually give herself over to Frankie completely right here in the kitchen, abandoning their evening plans all together because of the way Frankie was admiring her.
“Of course I do. What kind of person doesn’t ask for consent first?”
“Fine, in that case, you have my permission. And from now on, I give you permission to never ask and to just…do it. When you want to, if you want to.”
“Jules,believe me…” Frankie’s voice dropped an octave and her eyes fell to Jules' mouth. “I always want to.”
They both leaned in until their noses were almost touching and Jules could feel Frankie’s breath on their skin, could breathe in her scent, and they stayed like that for a moment, just being close.
Finally, Frankie grinned as she dipped her head, moving in to make it look like she was ready to kiss Jules, chasing her lips before pulling back and breathing out the tiniest laugh.
“Not…not fair.” Jules whined and raisedher arms, sliding them up and around Frankie’s neck. “You’re such a tease.”
“Baby, if you think this is me teasing you,” Frankie whispered against her lips, “then I can’t wait to get you in bed.”
And then Frankie kissed her, deep and hard, their bodies pressing fully against each other. Jules felt it everywhere, from the tips of her fingers all the way down to her toes and she couldn’t believe this is what it felt like for people when they found the right person. The desire was all consuming.
She’d have to reapply her lipgloss before they left but that was a very, very small price to pay.
It took them twenty minutes to finally make it out of the building and into Frankie’s SUV. Jules still had no idea where they were going but after a short drive through the downtown core, Frankie paid for parking in a public parking lot and rounded the car to open the passenger side door for Jules.
They walked hand in hand up the street, stopping in front of a tall, historical building that had been turned into a community events and art space. A sign outside said “Canadian Women in Sport Gala” and Jules looked at Frankie, her brows knit in confusion, excitement quietly brewing.
She’d mentioned the event once or twice over the previous few weeks, noting in excitement who some of the attendees were apparently going to be. Olympic medalists and sporting veterans, icons in the country that everyone knew, and Jules had wanted to attend just for the chance to meet some of them.
The money raised from ticket sales was going towards supporting women and girls in sports throughout Atlantic Canada but the tickets were, however, sold out by the time Jules had heard about the gala.
“Frankie, how did you…”
Frankie gave her hand a squeeze and shrugged. “My job has a few perks.”
They walked up the steps to the entrance and Frankie gave her name at the door. Moments later, they were welcomed inside and they dropped their jackets off at a large coat check.
As they entered the main event space, Jules took in the grandeur of it all. She also took in the people surrounding them and felt especially underdressed. Many of the other attendees were dressed in outfits more akin to Frankie’s chosen attire and Jules, as far as she could tell, was one of the few people who were wearing a pair of jeans. Her cheeks flamed in embarrassment as she looked down at her legs.
“I really wish you would’ve let me change.”
“Hey, stop that.” Frankie stepped in front of her and dipped her head to meet her gaze. “You look better than every single person in this room, okay?”
Jules swallowed and nodded. Her lips quirked and Frankie linked their fingers together again, leading them across the room towards the bar.
“I’ll have a white wine and she’ll have…?” Frankie looked at Jules expectantly, eyebrows raised.
“Vodka cranberry please,” Jules told the bartender.
They turned around to lean back against the bar and Jules admired the scene before them. It only took her a few seconds before she noticed a string of athletes she’d spent years admiring scattered around the room.
“Look, see that brunette woman over there in the blue dress? She raced for Canada in the Tour de France. And do you see that woman over there with her blonde hair in a bun, wearing a navy suit with the black heels? She competed for Canada in speed skating at the 2006 Olympics then went on to work for Speed Skating Canada as head of skater development.”
