Olivia looked at the clock on her phone and cursed. She didn't get away from work as early as she'd planned and was rushing to get ready for her date with Nate. It was their third date, and she'd invited him over for dinner. Well, drinks and takeout, thanks to her last lingering client.
She wondered for a moment whether she should bother with lipstick or a dab of gloss and then decided against it. Her first two dates with Nate ended in make-out sessions that would put even the horniest of teenagers to shame. She was hoping for more of the same--to start with, anyway.
She did a last quick tour of the house, straightening throw pillows and picking at imaginary pieces of lint, before pouring herself a glass of wine and turning on some soft music. She tried to relax, but the combination of being flustered and excited made it impossible to sit still.
She let her mind wander back to their previous date. Dinner was amazing. They chatted like old friends, yet the air between them sizzled. His kiss goodbye at her front door made her melt and ended with her pressed up against him on the porch for fifteen minutes. At least he was clearly enjoying it as much as she was. And despite that, he was ever the gentleman, his hands never straying further than her lower back.
Olivia squirmed and fanned herself.
I must be flushed from the wine
, she told herself, even though she'd taken only a small sip. Before she could dwell on this mystery any longer, she heard a car pulling up outside, and a few seconds later, a car door opening and closing. She fought to stay in her seat until Nate rang the doorbell.
For god's sake, woman, have some dignity
, she thought as she gave in and jumped up.
When Olivia opened the door, Nate grinned at her from behind a bouquet of pink tulips. He greeted her with a peck on the lips.
"You remembered that I love tulips! These are gorgeous. Thank you." Olivia took the flowers from him.
"I hope you don't mind, but I also brought some snacks and wine I thought you might like." He lifted the bag he held in his left hand.
"I never complain about snacks or wine," she said, relieved that at least one of them had managed to procure some food. "Come on in. Let me put these in some water."
Nate, Olivia thought, wasn't sexy just because he had a killer smile and kind, beautiful eyes. He was sexy because he listened, even if he was busy undressing her with his eyes. He'd brought her favorite flowers, a red wine that she'd mentioned wanting to try on their first date, and snacks they briefly talked about over text a month ago. She'd better not screw this up by moving too fast. Or too slow. Or by getting too wrapped up in her own thoughts.
Shit.
Once Nate had a glass of wine in hand, she took him on a tour of her small but cozy garden and then her small but cozy house, grateful that she'd taken a minute to tidy up. Their tour ended at the love seat in the living room.
By the time they needed a refill, Olivia, engrossed in their conversation, had kicked off her shoes and turned to face Nate. She accepted his offer of a glass of the wine he brought with him and watched him appreciatively as he walked to the kitchen.
When Nate sat back down, he was clearly fighting a smile. Olivia realized she was blushing, which made her blush even more. She cleared her throat. "It must be the wine." She slapped his arm playfully with the back of her hand.
Nate chuckled. "Yes, definitely the wine." He took her hand, kissed her palm, and then rested their hands on her knee and laced his fingers through hers.
The wine might not have been entirely to blame for her flushed skin, but it had relaxed her to the point of boldness. She set down her glass, leaned over, and kissed him. His kiss started out gentle and sweet and soft, matching her energy. When he let go of her hand and cupped her face, his kiss remained soft, but it became more urgent, more intense. Olivia melted into him.
This time, Mrs. Ogilvie across the road wasn't watching, so Olivia ran her hand down Nate's chest and ribs before slipping her arm around his waist. He pulled her closer, half into his lap, and finally broke their kiss. There was nothing gentlemanly in his expression as he looked at her, his face etched with lust that echoed her own.
Instead of straddling Nate and ripping off his shirt, Olivia demurely moved back to her side of the love seat and picked up her glass. She took a sip of her wine. "This really is lovely wine."
Nate raised his brow but dutifully took a sip of his wine and nodded. Olivia grinned and gently ran her fingers down his chest. She set down her glass again and turned back to face him. She popped open the top button on his shirt and, her palm flat against his skin, rubbed his chest. He stroked her cheek and sipped his wine.
