Page 29 of The Perfect Distraction
Colton chuckled, and the waiter scurried away to get the dessert menu.
They decided to split a slice of raspberry cheesecake, which the waiter presented with a flourish and two spoons.
The second she wrapped her lips around the first spoonful, she moaned. And then she glanced up to see Colton eyeing her closely, his own spoon poised at his mouth.
“What?” she said, picking up the white cloth napkin and dabbing at her mouth. “Did I get some on me?”
Colton shook his head, but his eyes had darkened, and he seemed to be in a bit of a trance. And then he quickly looked away, and the moment passed.
After they’d finished and he’d paid the bill (after promising she could pick up the tab the next time), they strolled up and down the docks in the marina, commenting on the clever boat names and the size of some of the yachts.
At one point, they had to move aside to let a large group of people pass, and Colton slipped his arm around her waist, presumably to pull her out of the way. However, after the group went by, he kept his arm in place, which was fine with her.
They walked to the end of the dock and looked out over the bay, his hand resting on her hip and the sides of their bodies touching. Beth felt her skin heat, and it wasn’t just from the sun. She was acutely aware of every point of contact, particularly his warm palm, which seemed to be searing her skin through her dress.
They were silent, each lost in their own thoughts as they took in the beautiful scene. She wondered what he was thinking and if his thoughts mirrored her own. It would be so easy to shift her body to face him, tilt her head up and invite his kiss, feel his entire length pressed against her. But this was only their second date, and wasn’t that against the rules? What were the rules anyway? It’d been so long that she’d forgotten.
“Maybe we should head back now,” he suggested, dropping his arm from around her waist.
Thank God one of them was thinking straight.
“Okay,” she said, her voice breathy. On the walk back to the car, she hoped he would put his arm around her again, but he’d shoved his hands in his pockets and walked with a purposeful stride as if he were on a mission.
Maybe he’s as scared of this as I am. Or maybe he’s just tired and wants to go home. Maybe, maybe, maybe…
“Thanks again for dinner. I really enjoyed it,” she said, keeping her tone light.
“I’m glad,” he replied, pulling out onto the highway that would take them back to Harbor Springs.
They were quiet for a while after that, and Beth turned her attention out the window. She loved it up here. It even smelled better; like pine trees, water, and Colton’s cologne. Oh God. Where did that come from?
She ventured a glance at him and saw that his eyebrows were knit in concentration. It reminded her of when they’d first met, when she’d thought he was overly serious, stern even. What had happened between dinner and now that had made him so tense?
“So, what else do you have planned for the weekend?” she asked, hoping to lighten the mood.
“Why? What do you have in mind?”
“Oh. No. I didn’t mean us. I meant you. What else do you have planned?”
Colton chuckled, and she wished she’d left well enough alone.
“I haven’t really thought beyond tonight, but I’m open to getting together again if you are.”
Great! And now it was back on her. An awkward moment passed where she racked her brain for the right response.
“It’s not a quiz, Beth. There’s no right or wrong answer. It’s whatever you want to do.”
If he only knew what she’d wanted to do a few minutes ago when they’d been standing on the dock!
“What about you? What do you want to do?”
“I asked you first.”
She laughed at the absurdity of their conversation. Just when she’d thought they were becoming more comfortable with each other, they were back to this. And then Colton pulled into his driveway and shut off the car.
What was it about the interior of a car at night that felt so intimate? Maybe it was reminiscent of the teenage years, when being in a car with a boy was laced with possibilities. Or in this case, a man.
“Beth?”
