Flukes by Nichole Chase Page A

against my back. “Oh, we’ll see who’s following who around.”
    I met his eyes and tried to slow my breath. His long, hard body pressed against mine was giving me ideas I didn’t need. Especially if I was going to be spending all day with him. He seemed to be thinking along the same line, because his breath had picked up.
    “You know, kissing is a good way to get to know someone.” He leaned forward even more, pressing his entire body along mine so that I could feel every inch of him. And I do mean every inch. “A very fun way of getting to know someone.”
    “Yep.” I turned away and started up the ladder. “I’m going to have to get you a collar.”
    His chuckle slid over my skin. “Game on, Meena.”
     

Chapter Ten
    - Meena -
     
    We spent the rest of the day talking about the design he had come up with, making tweaks on the computer, and discussing how best to launch the new logo. Dad popped into the house once or twice to ask how it was going, but for the most part we were left alone in the living room. There were a couple of times that I felt a bit awkward, knowing that we were going out later, but Blake had a way of keeping me on my toes and putting me at ease at the same time.
    Around five o’clock, Blake looked at me over the computer and smiled. He closed the top slowly and stood up.
    “We still haven’t picked a color for the font. I don’t like the green you chose.” I frowned.
    “We can work on it tomorrow.” He tucked his laptop back in his bag. “But right now, I need to go get ready for my date. I don’t want to show up covered in dolphin skin.”
    “She must be something special if you’re going to go shower.” I grabbed our cups from the table and took them to the kitchen.
    “She gives me a hard time, but she’s worth it.”
    Heat ran up my neck and I was glad I wasn’t facing him. Otherwise he would have seen the goofy grin that spread across my face. Schooling my features, I turned back toward him and leaned against the counter. “And what kind of place are you taking this girl to?”
    “It’s my favorite restaurant. A little joint near the coast that has a great outdoor sitting area. It’s pretty casual.” He slung his pack over his shoulders and picked up his helmet. “I can’t take her somewhere too fancy.”
    “Why not?” I frowned at him, wondering what he was thinking.
    “Well, it’s kind of hard to ride a motorcycle in a dress.” His eyes gleamed wickedly. “And if I take the motorcycle, then she has to hold on to me.”
    “Sneaky.” My lips twitched.
    “You have no idea.” He walked over to me, his helmet hanging at his side. With every step he took, my stomach jumped. The distance between us seemed to disappear as he braced one hand on the counter next to my hip. He leaned down and very gently kissed the side of my head. His lips only met hair, but it still felt like electricity ran over my body. He lingered for a moment, and I closed my eyes and breathed in his scent. He smelled like sun-kissed skin and salt water. When he pulled back enough to look into my eyes, part of me hoped that he would just go ahead and kiss me. A large part of me. From the way his eyes lingered on my mouth, I was pretty sure he was considering it, too.
    “See you in a little bit.” With a quick smile he turned and left the house, but it took a lot longer for me to move away from the counter. I wasn’t sure if my heart would ever go back to a normal rhythm.
    Mom walked in from the back door, took one look at me, and smiled. “So?”
    “So what?” I blinked at her owlishly.
    “Am I making dinner for three, four, or two?” She leaned against the doorframe and smiled again.
    “Um, two.” My hands twitched at my sides. “I’m going out with Blake for dinner.”
    “Good.” She nodded her head and stood up before walking into the kitchen. “Are you going to go for a swim now or when you get back?”
    I glanced at the clock and frowned. “Later. I want to have