Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 227(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 227(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
“Are you asking me on a date?” she questioned, searching his face to see if this was some kind of prank.
“I am. I’d like to spend more time with you.”
“Um… I’d like that, too.” Kiki forced herself to be honest.
“Then it’s a date. What time would you like to meet?”
“I have to work—I cut hair. I don’t get off until six. I think I remember that they’re open until seven. I could get there in about ten minutes.”
“I don’t want you to speed, Kiki. Drive safely, and I’ll meet you there at six-fifteen. We’ll eat our cupcakes and decide if there’s something else we’d like to do together,” he suggested.
“Could I have your phone number just in case something happens? Sometimes people walk in desperate for help or the processing takes longer than expected,” Kiki explained hesitantly.
“Of course. Are you comfortable calling yourself from my phone? Then we’ll both be able to contact the other if an emergency comes up.”
When Kiki nodded, Terry unlocked his phone and handed it to her. Quickly, she tapped in her number and pressed the call button. When it vibrated, Kiki jumped and laughed at herself as she passed it over. “That should not have scared me,” she joked.
“You’re allowed to react honestly, Bumblebee.”
“Why do you call me that?”
“I like bumblebees. They’re charming and silly at the same time, with a threat of pain if you don’t treat them right.”
“Are you going to treat me right?” Kiki couldn’t stop herself from asking.
“I try to be pleasant to everyone. For special people, I make a greater effort.”
Silence fell between them as Kiki digested all that had happened in such a short time. She felt like she knew Terry better than many people she’d been friends with for years. He didn’t lie, and he seemed to be an open book. A very handsome open book.
“So, what do we do now?” she asked.
“We go back to the daycare and color with your friends. Then tomorrow after work we meet for cupcakes and then maybe dinner?” he suggested. “I’ve always wanted to try eating dessert first.”
A giggle welled from deep inside her. “Me, too.”
Terry stood and held out a hand for hers. When she stood, he pulled her close. “Stop me, Bumblebee, if you don’t want this.”
Kiki watched him lower his face toward hers. She closed her eyes at the last minute and felt his lips press softly on her mouth. A hint of his taste tantalized her, and she lifted her mouth to press against his again. His fingers cupped her chin and bracketed her throat to hold her in place as he took control of the kiss.
Reaching forward, she curled her fingers into the crisp cotton of his shirt and clung to his clothing for support as he teased her lips apart. Kiki moaned into his mouth as the tip of his tongue swirled over her sensitive inner lips. Shivers of sensation sizzled down her spine, making her fingers tighten on the fabric she held.
When he lifted his head, she opened her eyes quickly to scan his expression, hoping to find him as discombobulated by that kiss as she felt. To Kiki’s surprise, the edges of his lips were turned up slightly, as if he were delighted by her response.
“Bumblebee…” Terry stopped talking as they heard several voices calling her name softly.
“Your friends are concerned about you,” he stated.
“They’re not really my friends. I just met them the last time I was here.”
“That’s not how Littles operate. They’re looking for you to make sure you’re okay. They already care about you. Let’s go reassure them.”
“Maybe Tori’s just worried about you,” Kiki suggested, suspecting that reason was more likely for their search.
“You’ll see.”
Terry took her hand and led her from their secluded location. They quickly caught up with the group of five Littles who were peeking into all the corners. Tori spied them first and rushed forward to hug Kiki before relinquishing her to Ellie.
“There you are! We hoped you hadn’t run away. Your picture isn’t done,” Ellie said as she embraced Kiki.
“We were afraid you didn’t like us,” Daisy said quietly. “We wanted to change your mind.”
“Oh, there’s no way anyone couldn’t like you. I’m kind of the oddball in the group,” Kiki said, criticizing herself.
“Pish posh!” Lark answered. “We think you’re incredibly brave and daring.”
Kiki watched Riley signal Terry that he had lipstick in the corner of his mouth. She waited for the tattooed Little to point it out to everyone, but Riley stayed quiet. Kiki didn’t mind if everyone knew she’d kissed Terry. She just wasn’t ready to talk about it. Those kisses still boggled her mind.
Before she knew it, the chattering group swept Kiki up and escorted her back to the daycare. To her delight, Terry sat next to her.
“Want a picture from my book?” she whispered to him as everyone bent over their projects.