more about his answer. If he claimed jealousy, he wouldn’t need any other explanations of his actions. “Hell, yeah I’m jealous. I care about you, and I don’t want to see you hurt again by that two-timing scumbag.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. And you don’t have to keep tabs on me.” Tory began to pace the hardwood floor, her hands fisted, and her lips pursed tightly closed.
“I’m not keeping tabs on you. I know you can take care of yourself. I just don’t want to see you get hurt again.” Dave spoke sternly, his voice louder than normal.
“If you must know, Matt and I went out, but it wasn’t a date. I had to end our relationship once and for all. I gave him back his grandmother’s ring, a family heirloom. I made it clear to him I wasn’t interested in him or a new relationship. Are you happy now?” Tory replied. Her fists clenched at her sides, forehead wrinkled. She didn’t want to have to tell him everything, she was feeling so vulnerable. And it wasn’t his business. Was it?
“So I have nothing to worry about with you and Matt?” Dave asked.
“I’ve made it clear to both you and him, haven’t I?”
“I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions. I don’t know what got in to me. I’ve never…” Dave said in a whisper as he moved closer to her.
“It is kind of nice to know you care enough to be worried.”
“It is, is it?” Dave moved closer. He took a step, his pants brushed against her bare legs and he put his hands on her waist. He pulled her closer to him. His heart lurched in his chest with the feel of her in his arms. He kissed her lips, a soft caress, then kissed her deeper. He caressed her shoulders and back with his hands, rubbing them up and down her spine. He moved his lips to her ear and nuzzled it, then kissed her in the hollow of her neck.
“Yes, it is,” Tory whispered as Dave pulled her closer and kissed her again.
“So, are we friends again?”
She answered him with a passionate kiss.
* * * *
Dave watched the light breeze flutter through Tory’s hair. The temperature was perfect to have a casual dinner outside on the deck of her apartment. The simple pizza, salad, and wine were everything he’d hoped for. The candlelight reflected off Tory’s wine glass as she touched it to her soft, smooth lips. Those lips he remembered kissing and wanted to kiss again left a lipstick impression on the glass.
They sat at the small bistro table on the deck overlooking a park, and Dave took a sip of wine. She was personable and strong, despite the circumstances. He wanted to be there for her. During the day he couldn’t stop thinking about her, what it would be like to hold her..., to sleep beside her all night and to wake up to her every morning. He wondered what she was doing and who she was doing it with. His heart began to race with thoughts of her wandering through his mind—her soft, sweet lips, her musky womanly scent, and her soft caresses. He wanted to do something to make her stay by his side. He noticed her serious expression and asked, “What are you thinking about?”
“I was thinking how much I like your company, and how you always lift my spirits.” She toyed with the stem of her wine glass. “And how sad it is when everyone in town knows your business.”
“I grew up in a small town. I can relate to that.”
“Anyway, how do you like Hickoryville now that you’ve been here a while?” Tory asked Dave.
“I like it fine. As I said, in certain aspects it’s very similar to where I grew up. But I’m really drawn to the people here, certain ones especially.”
“Oh, and who might they be?” She fidgeted in her chair.
“Well, you for one,” he said with a smile, somewhat self-conscious about his bluntness.
“Who else?” Tory leaned in closer to him. He could see pink blotches on her chest where her light blouse was unbuttoned. Her face flushed.
He cleared his throat and crossed his legs. “That’s about it, just you. My
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