See Me After Class(96)

And he’s using his love of words, of expression within text, to help me see that. So, perhaps the correct word I should be using is “swoon.” I’m not hooked . . . I’m swooning.





Chapter Twenty-Two





ARLO





I adjust the cuffs on my sleeves one more time, making sure they’re perfectly rolled to my elbows, before knocking on her door.

I spent longer than I care to admit picking out my clothes but decided to keep it simple. Dark jeans, slate-gray button-up shirt, and black vest. I hope I’m not underdressed now. I told her to dress casually, so hopefully she stuck with that.

With a deep breath, I raise my hand and rap my knuckles against the door.

I take a step back, put my hands in my pockets, and stare at my shoes just as she opens the door.

When I look up, my goddamn breath is stolen straight from my lungs.

She’s stunning.

In a simple pair of black skinny jeans and heels, she looks tall and toned. Her deep-purple silk tank top floats over her torso while whatever magical bra she’s wearing tonight makes her tits look irresistible. And her hair is loosely curled and cascading over her shoulders.

I was afraid I wasn’t going to give her enough physical contact . . . Hell, I’m afraid I’m going to touch her too much now.

“Greer, you look fucking delectable.”

She smiles, the gloss on her lips making her mouth that much more enticing. “You look really delectable yourself. You have that whole ‘Justin Timberlake Suit and Tie’ era going for you.”

“I guess that works. At least it’s not ‘Justin Timberlake Denim Suit’ era.”

“True.” She snags her purse, a leather jacket, and keys and shuts the door behind her when she joins me in the hallway. When I think she’s about to lock up, she presses her hand against my chest and wraps it behind my neck. Standing on her toes, she lifts up and places a soft kiss across my mouth. I barely have time to react before she’s pulling away. “I needed to get that out of the way,” she says, looking me in the eyes. “After all those notes, I felt desperate to kiss you.”

“Then kiss me the right way,” I say, right before slowly backing her up against her door, lifting her chin, and connecting my mouth with hers.

It’s slow but urgent—the way she grips me. My hold on her chin. I angle her to make room for when I open my mouth, and luckily, she does the same, allowing our tongues to touch.

Fuck . . .

I could do this all night. This could be our date.

Kissing.

This and this alone would be the best night of my life.

“Jesus,” I say, pulling away but keeping my face close. “I need to stop, or we’re never going to leave.”

She smiles and brings my head back down, where she presses a few more kisses across my mouth.

“I love your lips,” she says as she releases me and locks up her apartment.

When she turns back around, I hold out my hand for her. She smiles at it and then places her hand in mine.

And just like that . . . we head out to my SUV.

I can already tell it’s going to be a good night.





“You’re kidding me.”

I shake my head.

“Arlo . . .”

“What?” I ask, putting the car in park and turning toward her in my seat.

“We’re going sailing?”

“Technically, someone else is sailing the boat, but yes, we are. And I had a dinner catered.”

“And you think this is casual? This is probably the fanciest date I’ve ever been on.”

“Good. I like to set the bar higher than the men before me.”

“You didn’t have to do this. This is a lot.”

I reach out and cup her cheek gently. Leaning toward her, I say, “I wanted to do this. I want you to know I’m serious about you, which means I plan on dating you. This is how I date.”

“Have you ever taken anyone else out on a boat?”

I shake my head. “No one special enough has come along . . . until you.”

The corners of her lips turn up as she presses a short kiss across my lips. “Expect a lot of that tonight.”

“I hope so. Now stay right there.”

I hop out of the car and go straight to Greer’s passenger side door, where I open it up and hold out my hand. She takes it, and I carefully walk her across the pebbled parking lot to the harbor. The sky is dark already, but the stars are shining along with the moon, providing the perfect blanket of romance above us.

“The dock can be slippery, so hold on tight.”

We make it down the ramp where there’s a boat, lit up and waiting for us. From where I stand, I can spot the dinner table with ample lanterns that provide sufficient glow for me to see Greer.

The staff of two is waiting on the dock.

“Good evening, Mr. Turner,” Gary, the captain, says while holding out his hand. I give it a firm shake as he introduces his staff. “This is my wife, Janet. We’ll be serving you this evening as you enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Michigan at night.”

“Thank you. This is Greer Gibson.”

“Miss Gibson, a pleasure.” Gary nods. “Let’s get you two on board and comfortable, and then we’ll set sail.”