Page 17 of More Than a Fling
“Annie, I don’t want to scare you off, but I’m seriously into you. I honestly don’t think I have ever been this attracted to a woman in my entire life. It’s put me at a severe disadvantage.”
She smiled at him exposing her dimples, then said, “Tell me more, I kind of like the sound of that.”
He reached over and stroked his thumb across her full lips, causing her to suddenly feel wet between her thighs. Her large green eyes grew wide when he slipped his hand all the way down her bare arm to clasp her hand. He rubbed the tender spot in her palm, then he brought it to his lips and planted a kiss in the center, which felt directly linked to her womanhood. She inhaled sharply as his tongue darted out to tantalize her further. His warm eyes danced with humor as they met hers, knowing full well the effect he was having on her nervous system. She found herself mesmerized by his seductive powers and helpless to do anything about it.
“Oh Annie, you have no idea…” She stared at him as if in a trance, which wasn’t too far off the mark. “Stop looking at me like that or we will never make it to the barbeque joint,” he said, effectively breaking the spell.
“Sorry,” she said.
“For what? Making me crazy with desire for you? That’s not your fault, Annie girl,” he said, tweaking her nose as he turned and started the truck.
So electrified was the energy between them that Annie felt like crawling out of her skin with longing. It was only after Gabe turned on the radio and began singing along softly that she began to unwind a little.
“Our band does this cover,” Gabe said, referring to the song playing,Let Me Down Easy,by Billy Currington.
“I love this song!” Annie said.
“I knew you were a country girl at heart.”
“So now you know, the secret is out.”
“I could have written this song for you, it pretty much says it all, I am barely hangin’ on.” Stealing a line from the song, he said, “If I fall will you let me down easy?” He continued singing along with the romantic song, lyrics about being on the edge of falling, leaving his heart with her, her scent, tasting her kiss…glancing over at Annie, and seeing her eyes sparkling with desire, Gabe suddenly became tongue tied. Her incredible beauty and her complete lack of awareness of it, made her even more stunning if that was possible.
“Your eyes, damn Annie, a guy like me could get completely lost in that sea of green,” he confessed.
She looked down at her lap then glanced back up to meet his burning gaze. She knew she was in big trouble, teetering on the edge of a cliff, diving, free falling, tumbling down to God only knew where.
“Gabe… I don’t know what to say, I mean, this is intense, I am a bit overwhelmed,” she said, while wringing her hands.
“Hey, I didn’t mean to throw you Annie, let’s go with the flow and enjoy where we’re at and if it’s meant to be it will be. Deal?”
“Deal,” she said. The electricity in the truck practically bounced off the cab. She dazzled him with her smile. He reached for her hand and held it for the rest of the way.
They arrived at the barbeque restaurant and the first thing she noticed was the giant pig floating in the air over the building. Next, she saw that the parking lot was full and there was a line outside waiting to be seated. They put their names on the list and stood outside to wait.
“It must be pretty good food to attract a crowd like this,” Annie commented.
“You have no idea. It is the best southern barbeque you will find north of the Carolinas.”
“I’m starving, how about you?” she said. It was innocent enough until his gaze scorched her lips.
“Oh yeah, I am definitely starving…” He smiled, trying to lighten the intensity but failing to do so, put his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. She rested her hands on his chest and looked up at him, her eyes glowing with desire. As he leaned down for a kiss, they heard Gabe’s name called, informing them that their table was ready.
Gabe said, “I could take you right here, right now, on this patio, I want you so bad.”
“Down boy,” Annie said.
“Too late for that.”
Annie laughed and grabbed his hand, practically dragging him along behind her and into the restaurant. They were immediately seated at a booth in the middle of the noisy eatery. There was a fun, casual vibe with lots of conversation and laughter all around them. Strangely the raucous crowd almost provided a sense of privacy and anonymity.
Annie studied the menu intently as Gabe studied her. He couldn’t help himself. He felt like he could get lost with her, go completely off the grid for the rest of his life, and never grow tired of being in her presence.
He couldn’t quite figure it out. He had been with many beautiful women over the years, he had even loved a couple of them, but this felt unlike anything he had ever experienced before. Annie was the whole package…authentic, warm, smart, funny, sexy as hell, and the most exquisite creature he had ever laid eyes on.
Glancing up, Annie was startled to catch Gabe’s fixed stare. His eyes practically glittered, the golden flecks standing out even more.
“Have you even looked at the menu?” Annie asked.