Page 15 of Heavy Petting

“You need to have some balance though,” I said. “Something you do for fun.”

Our eyes met and held and I bit my lip to keep from suggesting that doing me would be fun. I knew myself well enough that I was all talk and if he agreed I would probably chicken out later.

I’d never been one to fall into bed quickly with someone, even back before I married. I’d waited nearly two months to sleep with my ex-husband when we started dating, which in retrospect was possibly a sign. Neither of us had a lot of interest in a physical relationship even when the relationship was new.

The server came over to the table to bring us our pizza, and we let go of each other’s hands so we could dig in.

Our conversation last week was mostly surface level but as our date went on, we started actually getting to know each other. It was nice. Once we finished our pizza, we sat talking for another hour, ignoring the curious looks of the other patrons who seemed very curious about how the town’s most handsome vet was eating pizza with the same woman two weeks in a row.

“Well, I guess I should be getting home,” I said reluctantly. “Esmerelda is snoring over here.”

“She’s really a good girl. I’ll get the check.”

“Oh no,” I protested. “That’s not fair. You paid last week. Let me get it this time.”

Joshua shook his head. “I know neither of us have dated for a while, but where I come from, if you ask a woman out on a date, you pay.”

I studied him for a few seconds before acquiescing. “Then I guess I’ll ask you for our next date so I can pay.”

I expected him to argue, but instead he just gave me an indulgent smile and told me that he’d walk me and Esmerelda home.

Joshua

Mabel and I walked towards her house, Esmerelda prancing ahead the length of her leash. As we walked I thought about the minor freakout that Mabel had at the beginning of dinner. I felt bad that I hadn’t been clear that we were going on a date. She wasn’t the only one who was out of practice at this kind of thing.

Then after I cleared up our miscommunication I could practically see her wondering what it meant that we were on a date and obsessing about what might happened next. Mabel might be guarded, but if you paid attention, you could tell when she was feeling big emotions.

I planned to walk her home and just give her a hug when we said goodbye. Clearly she needed time to get used to the idea of dating. But Esmerelda had other ideas.

As we walked up the driveway, Mabel turned to say good night to me, but her dog suddenly raced around us, looping us inside her long leash, then pulling away quickly like she was going to run off.

The movement made the leash push against Mabel’s ankles, pitching her forward into my body. My arms wrapped around her automatically and I resisted the urge to groan at the feeling of those soft curves against me.

“Esmerelda!” she scolded. “What has gotten into you lately?”

I had the strangest feeling that Esmerelda was trying to act as my wingman. Well, wingdog.

Mabel looked up at me, probably to apologize, but the words died on her lips. We stared at each other for a long, heated moment as desire coursed through my body. I lowered my head towards her slowly, giving her a chance to pull away, and when she didn’t, I pressed my lips against hers. They were soft and a little bit cold from the chill in the air.

Her arms looped around my waist and when I ran the tip of my tongue along the seam of her lips, she opened for me immediately. The instant my tongue slid against hers the kiss turned hot, my body lighting up with excitement. Mabel tilted her head, giving me better access, and I backed her up until she was pressed against the garage door and I was kissing her deeply, my body plastered up against hers.

When I finally pulled back so we could catch our breath she whispered, “Wow.”

I took that as a good sign and went in for another kiss. I tangled one hand in her long hair, tugging the strands as I dominated her mouth. I moved my other hand downward so I could cup her ass and hold her tight to me. Mabel rocked her hips against me, trying to get more pressure. My dick was growing hard against her belly, and I knew it was time to cool things down, as much as I was reluctant to do so.

Slowly I pulled back until our faces were only an inch or two apart. Mabel opened her eyes, looking the tiniest bit dazed in the light that burned over the garage.

“Um.”

I knew the feeling. My head was buzzing.

“You’d better go in,” I said. “Be sure to lock the door behind you.”

She stared at me, her gaze considering, and for a second I thought she might invite me in. But then she took a deep breath and took another step back.

“Thanks for dinner, and walking us home. See you later.”

She gave a tug on the leash and Esmerelda came immediately to her side.