“Um…” I have to clear my throat past the knot that’s formed there. Bailey also looks shell-shocked. “Yeah, I’m good.”
He tilts my chin back with his finger and lowers his lips to mine, gently nibbling, sweeping his own soft lips across mine, then sinks in and slips his tongue between my lips, kissing the breath right out of me. When he pulls away, he has to hold my shoulders firmly until I regain my balance.
“Wow,” Bailey mutters with a chuckle.
“I’ll see you tonight.” He drags his knuckles down my cheek and then turns to walk out through the kitchen. “See you soon, Bailey.”
“See you!” She watches him leave with shining eyes.
I walk to the front door and lock it and then begin the process of cleaning up so I can leave for the day.
“I’ll be ready to go in about twenty minutes,” I inform her, as though the hottest man on earth didn’t just kiss me senseless.
“He’s hot,” she says casually.
“You knew that already.”
“His brother is hot, too.”
“And married.”
“All the good ones are.” Bailey pouts. “What are you guys doing tonight?”
“Can we talk about this over wine?” I ask with a sigh. “There’s a lot to tell.”
“Oh God, please hurry. The suspense is now killing me.”
She helps me clean up and get organized for tomorrow, dancing in place as if she has to pee, making me giggle.
“You’re crazy,” I inform her.
“I’m impatient,” she corrects me. “Let’s go. Hot waiter Dan is waiting for us.”
I toss my apron in the hamper, fetch my wallet and lock the back door behind us. Bailey links her arm through mine as we walk down to Vintage.
“It’s gorgeous today.” I pull in a deep breath of summer air. I can smell the salt from the Puget Sound just a few blocks away. Families are out, pushing strollers and carrying toddlers, enjoying Seattle on this sunny Sunday.
“We are having a great summer,” Bailey agrees with a smile. She leads me into Vintage and offers Damn Hot Dan a flirty grin. “Hey, handsome.”
“Hello, ladies.” He nods at the hostess and seats us himself. “Your usual?”
“Yes, please,” we say in unison.
“Coming right up.” He winks at Bailey and walks to the bar.
“He likes you.”
“He’s adorable.” Bailey sighs. “And painfully young.”
“Dude, he’s probably in his mid-twenties.”
“Too young. I need someone with more life experience for what I’m looking for.” She waves me off, sits back when Dan delivers our drinks and takes our appetizer order, then eyes me over the rim of her glass. “Talk to me.”
“I really need you to help me get my head back on straight. Talk some sense into me.”
“Okay.” She nods.
“I can’t fall in love with him.”
“Right.” She wrinkles her forehead in confusion. “Wait. Why not?”
“Because, we’re just having fun together, remember?”
She nods slowly and then shakes her head. “When did we say that?”
“He took me to meet his family,” I begin. “And they’re great. Did you know his brother-in-law is Luke Williams? Like, the Luke Williams. The one whose poster was on my wall when I was a teenager.”
“Wow.”
“And Luke’s sister is with Leo freaking Nash, Bailey. Not to mention, his brother is Will Montgomery, the football player. So, I was at this pool party with celebrities and beautiful people, and they’re all really, really nice. And so damn funny.”
“That’s cool. Can I get an invite next time?”
“It’s not funny, though. My sugars crashed because I was stupid and didn’t eat enough yesterday, so Matt found out about the diabetes…”
“You hadn’t told him?” she asks with a deep frown.
“And then he was mad at me because I hadn’t told him.”
“He’s a Dom, Nic. Of course he was pissed.” She takes a sip of her drink and digs in to the food when Dan delivers it.
“And then he let it slip that he’s in love with me.”
She slowly lowers a chip to her plate and stares at me in shock. “What did you say?” she asks with a squeak.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing.”
“It was in the heat of the moment. I’m not even sure he realized he said it. It was when he was mad about the medical stuff.” I wave that off, unable to think about it because it makes me a quivering mess all over again. “But I’m becoming too attached to him, Bailey.”
“Why?” she asks, completely confused.
“He should have kids,” I whisper softly. “You and I both know I can’t give him that.”
“You are so ridiculous.” Bailey groans. “You don’t know that.”
“I’m pretty sure. I can’t fall in love with him. I’m not the girl for him.”
“Right, so, he has an amazing family, a good job…” She’s ticking his attributes off on her fingers. “He’s not a freeloader or a loser, he’s loyal and good with kids, and he’s fucking amazing in the bedroom. That bastard!”
“Ha ha.”
“So, you went from not wanting him because he’s a Dom to not wanting him because he might want kids one day?”
“You make it sound so dumb.” I laugh. “I’m trying to guard my own heart here, Bailey. I’m not trying to hurt him. Or me.”
“You’re such a worrier. Just keep doing what you were doing in the beginning. Enjoy him and cross the kids issue if and when he proposes.”
I choke on my drink at the mention of proposing, my eyes watering as I cough and sputter.
“Okay, so the idea of marriage scares you,” she mumbles. “I was kind of joking, Nic.”
“Don’t even say that!”
“Honey, I just witnessed you two together. That was a smitten man.”
I start to reply, but she holds her hand up, stopping me. “And you were just as smitten. I know it’s early days, but Matt isn’t going anywhere. Just enjoy him.”
“He is amazing in bed,” I concede.
“Oh sure, rub it in. You’re cruel. I stuck up for you back there and threatened a man of the law, and all you can do to pay me back is remind me that you’re getting laid and I’m not?”
I giggle and pop a chip in my mouth. “It’s really, really good sex.”
“I hate you.”