Lucky Fall Read Free Page B

at least.”
    “What are we celebrating?” I asked, staring at my trembling hands.
    He laughed. “Your birthday, of course. I would rather celebrate with a traditional birthday spanking, but this will do…for now.” The last two words were stretched out and followed by a delicious grin.
    I swallowed, trying not to grimace.
    He tilted my chin so I was staring at him. “Why aren’t you happy it’s your birthday, Julianne?” Sexy, strong, and perceptive…damn.
    “Did you see my cake? It had forty candles on it!”
    He smirked. “Sweetheart, I think everyone within a twenty-mile radius could see it. I’m sure the kitchen had fire extinguishers on standby.”
    “Very funny. Birthdays are not as special when you reach a certain age.”
    “It’s just a number, and you don’t look forty.”
    “That’s because I’m forty-three. My friend, Libby, was trying to be somewhat merciful and stopped at forty candles.”
    He motioned to the bartender and ordered a glass of wine I was pretty sure cost more than my outfit. “You make forty-three look incredible.”
    I wondered how he was so quick with every line, as if he had a script for our evening—one that no one had bothered to give me. He was as smooth as the wine he ordered for me.
    “Even if you are not, I am happy to celebrate any day when such loveliness came into the world.”
    “That’s sweet, Casanova, but how old are you?” If I was a betting woman, I would have said mid-twenties, but surely no man that age could afford a tailored Armani suit and an outrageously expensive bottle of Chablis.
    “I’m twenty-eight. Now can we stop talking about numbers? Math was never my strong suit.”
    I took a sip of the glass of heaven he’d ordered, savoring the nuances of earth and fruit. “This has a very delicate flavor.”
    “Much like yourself, I imagine.”
    Damn…did he have an answer for everything?
    “I believe in speaking my mind, but I assure you my goal in not to make you uncomfortable.”
    “What is your goal?”
    “To make you come.”
    “Come where?”
    He laughed in low, husky voice that made me quiver. “It was a complete sentence.”
    I bit my lower lip, willing my heart to stop its crazy double beat. “You’re very cocky.”
    He reached for my hand in a gentle, but firm hold. “Why don’t you come and find out…not in that order, of course.”
    I almost choked the wine, which was far too expensive to waste. “I think I should go.”
    “What are your reservations? Is it the man who was making puppy dog eyes at you just now?”
    It surprised me that he was observant enough to have noticed Jeff. “He’s just a friend.”
    He sighed, narrowing his eyes and tightening his jaw. “It’s apparent he wants more with you. Do you not see that?”
    “Why do you care?”
    He paused for a moment, sipping his drink. The golden liquid left a sheen on his lips and I had an urgent desire to lick it off.
    “I’m having trouble articulating my emotions. It’s a new feeling for me.”
    “What’s that?”
    “I suppose it’s a combination of jealousy and sympathy.”
    “Sympathy?” I was equally as surprised by the jealousy, but I decided to keep that one to myself.
    “I don’t want him to have you, but I feel sorry for him. You see, I know how the poor fellow feels, but I have no interest in sharing you.” His openness stunned me. I wasn’t expecting him to be so candid, but then again everything he did was a surprise.
    “Do you usually do this?”
    His eyes were so bright they appeared to be twinkling, and his smile was boyish, reminding me of his age.
    “Do what? Enjoy a conversation with a beautiful woman?”
    “Choose a woman out of the blue to sleep with?”
    “No, I don’t. I doubt you’ll believe me, but I don’t lie. Life doesn’t always give you the best circumstances. When you see something you want, you should seize it. You fell into my arms and since that moment, all I’ve been thinking about is how well we would fit.