Page 10 of Completely Captivated
Within thirty minutes of when she arrived at home, she’d already called Allie and arranged for coverage, completed her nighttime ritual, and climbed into bed.When her cell phone rang, excitement and anxiety vied for first place in wracking her nerves.She stared at the phone display until after the second ring before she answered it.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Christa.Did you make it home okay?”His voice was low and sexy, the deep timbre of it seeping through the phone and wrapping her in its warmth.
“Yes, I did.I’ve already called Allie, and she’s fine with taking over the shop tomorrow without me.”
“That’s the best news I’ve heard all week.I’m so looking forward to forgetting the rest of the world exists and just spending the day with you.”
“It sounds like you have an amazing day planned for us.”She snuggled deeper under the covers and hugged her pillow close.
“Well, I hope you’ll think it’s amazing.Are you already in bed?”
“Yeah, why?”
“No reason.I was just thinking about your ass again.I’m trying to picture what you wear to bed to cover one of your bestassets.”His playful, teasing tone kept the question light and humorous, so she decided to give him a dose of his own medicine.
“You’re so funny,” she replied nonchalantly, dismissing him with her mocking tone.“I don’t wear anything to bed.I’ve found mixing clothes and sheets is much too confining.”
He groaned in physical pain.“You don’t play fair.”
“You started it.”She couldn’t help but laugh, feeling slightly more sure of herself than just minutes before.“So, you can dish it out, but you can’t take it?”
“Babe, I can definitely do both.I’ll be more than happy to demonstrate for you.But before you start fantasizing about having your way with me, you do have to get to know me first.Before you get in my pants, I’ve set a minimum number of dates you have to meet.That number is only in my mind.You have to earn it.”
Christa threw her head back in laughter, loving his sarcastic and frisky sense of humor.“I’ll keep that in mind.Let’s make a deal.You stop staring at my ass all the time, and I’ll stop trying to undress you with my eyes.”
“Afraid I can’t agree to that.I’d never be able to hold up my end of the deal.I’m not even interested in trying, honestly.So, tomorrow you’ll walk in front of me the entire time so I can stare at your ass.”He chuckled, and she knew she was in trouble because she thought even his laugh was sexy.
They talked much longer, running the gamut of topics to learn bits and pieces about the other, until staying awake was no longer an option.“As much as I hate to go, I need to get some sleep.Four o’clock came early this morning, and I have a feeling I need to be as rested as possible for everywhere you’re taking me tomorrow.Though you haven’t told me about a single place yet.”
Before letting her hang up, he felt the need to stress the importance of their all-day date.“We have the whole day together, Christa.There are several places I want to take you, just to spend time getting to know you better.But I’d like for my plans to be a surprise.If there’s anywhere you want to go, I’ll make it happen too.”
“That sounds great, Aaron.But I kind of need to know what to wear since I have no idea where we’ll be all day.”
“Something comfortable—clothesandshoes.Dress in layers.Feel free to take off as much as you want.Just don’t obstruct my view of that gorgeous derriere.I may need to take pictures of it as you walk.”
“Comfy layers and an exposed derriere it is, then,” she laughed.“I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”She rattled off her address, and he promised to pick her on time.
The next morning couldn’t come fast enough for Aaron.He bounded up the steps to Christa’s apartment.Part of him hoped she wouldn’t be fully ready yet so he’d have a chance to look around her apartment, get an idea of what her life was like and see what was important to her.The other part of him hoped she was waiting for him so they could get away before something unexpected had a chance to ruin his plans for their day.He knocked on her door and completely forgot all about whatever he had been thinking when she opened the door.
“Hi.Oh, wow,” he stuttered.
Self-conscious, Christa looked down at her choice of clothing and suddenly felt very insecure.“Is there something wrong with this?I can change.”She turned toward the hallway, but Aaron grabbed her hand to stop her.
Her soft skin was like silk in his hand.She stopped in her tracks and looked up at him expectantly and with a hint of shyness.
He physically couldn’t make his hand let go of hers.Her hand was small, but he felt the strength in it.It was soft, but he’d witnessed firsthand how hard she worked in her café.But most of all, he knew it just felt right…meant to be…destined.
He smiled sincerely as he shifted his hand to lace their fingers together.“No, you’re perfect.That was a good ‘wow.’Actually, it was agreat‘wow’ now that I’ve had a better look.I need to add a few body parts to my list of favorites.”
Christa looked down at her clothes again but didn’t see anything special.She was wearing a formfitting solid white tank top, faded blue jeans with strategically placed tears, and the high-top Chucks that matched her glittery tan cardigan sweater perfectly.It was very casual and comfortable, but the sweater added a little flair in case they went somewhere nice.Her eyes caught the sight of their fingers laced together, and she felt her stomach do a somersault.
“Well, if you’re sure,” she replied hesitantly.
“I’m positive.Are you ready to go?”Aaron asked, trying to look around her apartment nonchalantly without appearing overly intrusive.
“One sec—let me grab my phone off the charger,” she replied, giving him a minute to glance around the small but neatly decorated living room.
