Page 7 of She’s Got that Spark
I putter around the shop, cleaning and organizing, then working on my drawings to make sure there’s always fresh art displayed in the window. Although I have several inquiry emails,and a couple of people dropping in to browse, I don’t have any appointments today. If it weren’t for the incredible deal I have on the rent for the place, I’d be sunk.
At six o’clock, Emma walks out of the café. She’s coming right toward me when I call out, “Stop right there!” and rush to meet her.
She stares inquisitively at the helmet in my hand. I place it on her head, tightening the strap under her chin, then scoop her into my arms to cross the street to my bike.
Her laughter is muffled. “My feet aren’tthatbad!”
“I’m not taking chances. Going to get you out into the fresh air, since that’s healing.”
“I don’t think?—”
“Trust me on this. I sleep in a tent in the back yard when I feel worn down, so I can get fresh forest air all night.” Setting her down, I kiss my finger, then place it on her lips. “Please let me baby you.” Her adorable grin tells me that she enjoys being pampered.
I pull on my own helmet, then we hop on the bike and drive slowly out of town.
I love that her hands slip under my jacket and around my waist to hang on. We can’t talk for a few minutes, but I try to communicate with body language. Reaching down to stroke her outer thigh for a second. Squeezing her knee. Leaning back against her to do a bit of a shimmy until I hear her laughing over the sound of the engine. Damn, I love the way this girl laughs, and not just because I can feel it’s shaking her luscious breasts slightly – although that is certainly getting my motor running even more than the bike’s.
Our slow cruising speed is extremely safe, especially since I stick to back roads with little traffic. Emma doesn’t seem nervous at all. Eventually we reach a secluded lookout spot with a beautiful view of the mountain and the two lakes below. Wepark and remove the helmets, then I take her hand, walking her out to the bench that’s been here forever.
I pull Emma to sit close beside me, keeping an arm around her. “All of this fresh, crisp air is perfect for people new to the mountain,” I state. “We have to get all of that old city air out of your lungs.”
She turns to me with a curious smile. “I’m beginning to think you hate the city or something.”
“No, not at all. I loved living in different cities for a few years each time. But it’s not where I want to make my home.”
“What’s your home like here?” she asks softly. “Do you have an apartment?”
“No, I have a house on the west side – not even two minutes outside of town.”
Her tongue darts across her bottom lip as she stares out across the rolling hills. “Wow, you already have a house.” Her soft voice is quieter. “I guess that makes sense. You’re quite a bit older than I am.”
“I’m only thirty-two. Is that so ancient?”
Emma shrugs. “I’m twenty. I still have no clue what’s going on with my life. Meanwhile you’re…” She hesitates, a slight furrow forming between her brows. “At that stage where you’re getting settled, I guess.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. My shop’s been open less than a year. And that’s only because my uncle retired and closed his shoe store that was in the same space and was able to talk the landlord into giving me the same deal he signed ten years ago. I only have the house because my parents sold it to me cheap when they decided to retire early to South Carolina.” Caressing her shoulder, I lean closer. “I’ve been extremely lucky.”
“But you also work really hard.” Her eyes seem lighter blue compared to the bright cyan sky. “I looked up your shop online. Unbelievable reviews. And your artwork is just incredible.”
“So’s yours, Sparky.”
Her giggle is adorable. “You can’t call me that!”
She shivers as I breathe into her ear. “If you don’t like Sparky, can I just call you mine, then?”
Her breasts lift and lower as her breathing becomes heavier. It’s very distracting. “I don’t… Are you joking? You wouldn’t tease me about stuff like that, right?”
“No way.” I lift her into my lap, cuddling her tight against me. “I think you’re breathtaking. I know it’s crazily soon to start thinking long term, but I’d like to know that there’s at least a possibility.”
Her chin tips up and down. “I guess anything is…possible.”
I grin until her eyes light up. “So can I call you mine, Sparky?”
After a deep breath, she reaches out to play with my collar, then lets her fingers wander along the back of my neck. “Yeah. If you like.”
“Good.” We lean in at the same time, leading to a delicate, romantic kiss that quickly becomes heated. Her lips are so soft, and from her uneven breath I’d guess she’s excited.
It hits me like a ton of bricks: Emma’s never been with a man before. I’m going to be her first…everything. Which means I have to be extra careful about how fast we go.