Leaving Normal by Stef Holm (best ereader for graphic novels TXT) 📕

She frowned, then smiled. "I do have to eat, you know."

"I know. But I didn't think you'd cook something so elaborate. I sort of figured since you had to be creative at work, you wouldn't be as creative in other areas."

"But maybe since I am creative at work, I'm creative in a lot of other ways."

The implication of what she said caught his attention. He didn't think she meant it in the way he was interpreting it, and when he gazed at her, she looked at him, then away. She understood what she'd said, maybe didn't even regret it.

He took it that she liked to be creative in bed.

That worked for him. He would try anything and he wanted to try a lot with her.

Sleeping together wasn't something he wanted to plan or think out. He just wanted to make sure she knew what she was doing, what she was offering.

Dinner was eaten leisurely and the bottle of wine finished. She got up to clear the table and he rose to help her.

"You don't have to do that."

"I want to."

"Well…okay."

"I take it your ex-husband didn't help."

"No. Not all the time."

"What did he do for a living?"

"Micron. He developed software."

"Are you on good terms with him?" Tony brought the plates to the sink and Natalie rinsed them before loading the dishwasher.

"Better. Actually, we were never on bad terms. We just didn't like each other." She dropped forks into the silverware tray, then looked at him. "I've invited him and his girlfriend to Easter dinner. It should be interesting. If I show up on your doorstep, have a shot of tequila waiting for me. I might need it."

Tony laughed. "How come you invited him?"

"Initially—harmony for my daughter's sake. I have no quibble with Greg. If he's happy, then I'm happy for him." Letting out an exhale, Natalie sighed. "Besides, he was planning on picking Cassie up at the airport. It would be awkward now if I uninvited him and his girlfriend just because our daughter canceled. And when I told him Cassie wasn't coming, he did his usual two-minute tirade, then he asked me what time he should be here for dinner. I was trapped. What are your Easter plans?" she asked, wiping the counter.

"I'm working a half shift for someone. They have family coming in that morning and they're eating at noon, so I'll stay at the station until he comes in."

"Why doesn't he take the whole day off?"

"Needs the money, I guess."

"That's what's wrong with this country—firemen, policemen and teachers don't make enough money," she stated, swinging the dishwasher door up and into place. Then she glanced at him. "I mean, I'm not saying that you don't earn a decent wage…I…uh, oops. That didn't sound right."

Tony went toward her, pulled her into his arms and looked into her eyes. "I know what you meant and I didn't take it as anything negative." He dropped his mouth to hers, gave her a soft kiss. "You worry too much about saying the right things."

"Not all of the time," she replied, her breath teasing his lips. Their foreheads touched and he savored the feel of her shirt fabric. He didn't know what it was, but it was soft; it felt really sexy.

"You look nice," he uttered next to her mouth.

"Thanks. So do you. You always do."

"I could argue that but I won't."

"Seriously, I'll bet you look just as great with soot on your face and your hair damp with sweat."

He simply smiled, brought his mouth back over hers and kissed her long and leisurely. She tasted like wine, sweet and sugary. Her arms rose around his neck, pulling him close. He let himself go, surrendered to the kiss and let her take it over.

She opened her lips and took him in the direction she wanted to go as she nibbled on his lower lip. Her tongue swept over the seam of his mouth and his lips parted. She entered him, their tongues meeting and tasting. His body tightened, he reacted and grew hard. He wanted her, but once he had her, there would be no going back. For him, this was something different. It wouldn't be casual and she had to know that.

He lifted his head, gazed into her eyes. Her face was flushed with a sexual heat that colored her cheeks. She breathed in short little gasps, a strand of hair brushing her eyebrow. He touched her, swept the hair back and then traced the outline of her ear.

She seemed to hold her breath, tense and waiting.

Expectation filled her, a flicker of indecision in her green eyes. She was deciding—was it worth going ahead and being a little reckless, maybe even dangerous? Did she really want this?

He read her like yesterday's news.

He was having the same thoughts, the same pattern of looking ahead and wondering how this would change things between them. Anticipation. Apprehension.

"I don't know how to do this," she murmured. "I don't know how to just be a gender-appropriate friend. I thought I wanted you just as my friend, but…"

"We're more than friends."

"Not yet. We aren't lovers yet."

"Is that what you want?"

"Yes, I told you."

"But you're having doubts?"

"No. That's the problem. I'm not really doubting anything, but I am questioning my sanity."

"Why's that?"

"Because I've never had sex without being in love— or thinking I was in love."

"I understand." He traced the side of her neck, grazed his fingertip over the pulse point at her throat.

She sucked in a breath. "I thought I was so in love . in my one and only relationship since my divorce—you know that feeling when you crave someone?"

"No…1 don't." Tony swallowed, tried to explain. "I loved my wife, but I didn't have those feelings for her. I thought I did, but I didn't."

"How sad."

"Yeah, it was."

She reached out, touched his cheek. He'd shaved before he'd come over, his jawline and face smooth. Blinking several times, her eyes filled with a deep and curious longing. "Do