Cold Feet

VIOLA

He offers his arm and I link my arm through his. We wander away from the party into the gardens. There is still some time before the reception begins. I’m sure whatever he wishes to discuss will be over by then.

“It’s a lovely evening,” he says sounding as if he is observing something working exactly the way it should.

“I think it’s perfect,” I reply.

“Nearly perfect.” His remark tells me that he thinks something is missing.

“And what would make it perfect if I may ask?” I say looking up at him as we walk towards the beach.

“Getting to know you better,” he replies confidently.

I blush, thankful that it is night and there is little light for him to see how red my face is. My skin is a golden brown but despite its color, I’m sure he could see me blushing if there was enough light. Despite the cool breeze, I feel warmer than expected and I know it’s Rick’s remark and his closeness that is having this effect on me. What is wrong with you? No man has ever had this effect on me this quickly. I know I’m feeling like a little girl who has just been spoken to by her first high school crush. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I haven’t had someone in my life for a long time.

“Do you gatecrash weddings looking for women that you can charm and flirt with? Is that your strategy to find a girlfriend?” I tease.

He chuckles. “Not at all. I just happened to be invited to this wedding as a friend of a friend.”

“I had no idea that people were in the habit of inviting friends of friends to wedding receptions these days.”

Rick laughs. “Well, I’m glad I was invited otherwise I would never have met you.”

“Oh really?” I smile. “Tell me, does the hard sell really work with women for you?” I’m guessing it does. He’s so damn gorgeous. And while he’s straightforward and confident, he doesn’t come across as being arrogant.

“Is that what you call it?”

“Mm-hmm,” I reply.

I thought I probably don’t have much time. You’re very busy with coordinating the wedding and, I might add, you’re doing an absolutely stellar job of it but I’m guessing that you walking with me right now is a luxury that you can

me well,” I

anyone saw us, they would easily think we were a couple. I am amazed at how

His touch is setting my skin on fire and I don’t think a fire extinguisher can put out the fire between my thighs. His eyes,

to know you better. I just felt … something. When our eyes met, I was drawn to you like a moth

might get burned,”

time and I don’t know how long we have

“Say what?”

to get to know you better. Will you give me your number?” As he asks, he releases my hand and he places his hand on my cheek.

nothing but simply look into his eyes. He leans into me bringing his face to my level. Our noses touch. He is asking permission without saying a word. I don’t

hungrily clamp his lower lip between my teeth as I suck it. Our tongues clash and briefly battle for entry before we acknowledge we both want the same thing and they start to dance with our passion. Our breathing quickens as he pulls me

my hands to his waist and then to his ass and pull him closer increasing the pressure of

follows and his hands settle on my ass.

eventually come up for air and I hastily look around wondering if anyone has seen us. I am beginning to feel guilty at being gone so long. He looks

and he quickly hushes me with his lips on

stands behind the trees lining the path and he sets me down behind it out of sight of the path. Pressing

this man that well. My inner voice is talking non-stop, taken aback by my sudden recklessness. I don’t normally do this. No, wait. I never do this, have never done this. I’m living a little, I answer my inner voice. Now shut

skirt. I feel his hands as they settle between my thighs. He ends our kiss and looks at

little tart,” he

a lie,”

bark press against my ass briefly. His fingers find the elastic of my

reception but dammit, I can’t help myself right now. I have never been this hot for anyone in my

hardly know each other but

my hands on his back. He