Perfect for You (Short Story) (Fire and Icing) Read Free Page B

little too exotic to have been born in Tennessee. “Something interesting. Aside from the muscles and sexy jaw and all that.”
    “So you think I’m sexy?” Trent shifted the pool cue to one side, clearing the space between them.
    “I said your jaw was sexy,” Dawn said, a hitch in her voice.
    “Sorry, my mistake.” He leaned closer, until he could feel her breath warm on his face and her cinnamon and smoke smell filled his head and the knowledge that he was about to kiss Dawn Fuller made his pulse race. “I find all of you sexy.”
    “Yeah?” Her lips parted.
    “Completely.” He closed the distance between them, brushing his lips across hers, tentatively at first, but with increasing confidence as Dawn leaned into him and her free hand came to rest on his chest, her fingernails digging lightly into his skin through his shirt.
    After only a moment, the kiss deepened and Trent’s tongue swept into her mouth, tasting her for the first time. She tasted like hops and French fries, but with a hint of sweet smokiness he knew immediately was Dawn’s taste. It reminded him of the first breath of early morning air before a big race—fresh, sharp, exciting, and filled with possibilities—and kissing her was every bit as addictive as he’d imagined it would be.
    Once he started, he didn’t want to stop. It wasn’t long before his arm was around her waist, pulling her closer. He fought the urge to moan as her slim body pressed against him and the kiss grew even more intense, entering Inappropriate for Public Viewing territory with a swiftness that made his head spin.
    “Maybe we should stop?” he said, mumbling the words against her lips.
    “Probably.” Dawn pulled a few inches away. “Though I have to admit I haven’t enjoyed a kiss that much in ages.”
    “Me either,” he said, keeping his arm around her. “Does that mean we get to do this again?”
    “Kiss?” Her eyes widened. “Dear God, I hope so.”
    Trent smiled. “Can I take you out Wednesday night? I have Beatrice starting first thing tomorrow through Wednesday morning, but I’m free after that.”
    Dawn hesitated only a moment before nodding. “Wednesday sounds good.”
    “We could try this Ethiopian restaurant down the street from my place if you’re game,” he said. “I’ve been getting out and trying new things. Breaking out of my sports bar routine.”
    “I’ve never tried Ethiopian,” Dawn said, “but I’m game. It sounds great.”
    It sounded better than great. It sounded like a long forgotten fantasy being brought back to life. But so far, the real Dawn was more intriguing than any fantasy.
    He was suddenly grateful for the past six months of bad luck with the opposite sex. If he hadn’t struck out with those other women, he might not have been free to take a chance on the girl who got away.

Chapter Three
    “Tell me Trent and I should slow down.” Dawn stood at her apartment window, staring down at the street where Trent would be arriving any minute, waiting for her best friend, Maddie, to talk some sense into her.
    But she should have known better. Now that Maddie’s own whirlwind romance had become an engagement, she was all about rushing in.
    “No, you shouldn’t slow down!” Maddie squealed with excitement, loud enough that Dawn had to pull her cell away from her ear until Maddie stopped squealing and started talking again. “This is amazing news! I’m so happy for you. What a perfect way to spend your break between semesters. And I bet he’s kept you from missing the kids, too, hasn’t he?”
    “I’ve still missed the kids,” Dawn said. “But Trent is pretty good at keeping my mind off my troubles when he’s around.”
    Boy, was he good at keeping her mind off her troubles.
    They hadn’t made it to the bedroom yet, but Trent had already proven he knew exactly what to do with his hands. After their epic make out session on his couch last night—during which he had managed to bring her over the edge