Free Laurie's Time (The Fairfield Series) by Maryann Jordan Page B

as she realized that he couldn’t even stop being a player for one night. Friends, we’re just friends. It doesn’t matter if he is scoping out Miss Perky Tit of the Year!
    Determined not to be affected, she made her way over to the table coming up behind them. She could hear his voice, speaking softly, but with an edge.
    “If you don’t back away right now, I will report you to the manager,” he was saying. He turned his head to the side, and Laurie could see that his eyes were on the woman’s face, not her tits. And he looked…embarrassed. “And furthermore, you should have more pride than to come onto a man who is so obviously with someone else. Someone so beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. So take this check, keep your goddamn phone number, and count yourself lucky that I don’t report you!”
    Laurie came to a stunned halt, frozen in place by his words. The hostess, glaring back at him, stalked off, her heels clicking on the tiled floor.
    Rob cursed as he turned looking towards the ladies’ room afraid of what Laurie might have seen and misinterpreted. He was startled to see her so close, standing anchored to the floor.
    He jumped up from his chair, ready to defend himself, but before he could speak, she ran the few steps separating them, threw her arms around his neck, and squeezed as though her life depended on it. Stunned, he wrapped his arms around her lifting her feet off the ground.
    Pressed tightly together, her face was tucked into his neck, and she could feel his heartbeat against her breasts.
    His massive arms wound around her tiny body, and he was filled with a sense of rightness. He wanted to protect her, keep her safe, take care of her. So this is what it means to crave more than just sex.
    He could feel her arms starting to slip from his neck, and he gently set her down. Keeping his eyes on hers, he smiled. “Let’s get out of here, okay?”
    Smiling shyly back at him, she just nodded. He reached down, grabbed her hand, linking their fingers together as he led her outside to his truck.
    This time she did not protest as he assisted her up into the seat and buckled her in. What am I doing? It just feels right. Friends? Or more? Shaking her head to clear her whirling thoughts, she watched him lift his muscular frame into the driver’s seat.
    Looking over at her, not wanting the night to end and praying she felt the same, he asked, “Where to?”
    Laurie looked down at her hands, unsure of what she felt but knowing that she was not ready for the night to end. Raising her eyes to his, she said, “We could go back to my place.” He raised his eyebrow at this suggestion. She quickly explained, “I mean, Carol is gone, and we could…keep talking…I mean, that is… um, if you wanted to.” Heart pounding, palms sweating, she felt the words stick in her throat.
    “Babe,” he said softly. He held her eyes as he reached over to cup her face with his massive hand. “There’s nowhere else I rather be than with you.”
    Leaning her face into his hand, she could feel the current that was becoming familiar when he was around.
    *
    Back at her apartment, he hesitated at the door. As she entered, she turned questioningly. “Don’t you want to come in?”
    Running his hand through his hair, he suddenly felt as awkward as a teenager, fumbling on his first date. Giggling, she grabbed his hand and pulled him in. She led him over to the sofa, sitting on one side tucking her legs up under her. He sat on the other end, twisting his body to face her.
    “You haven’t told me about being a fireman,” Laurie inquired. “It seems exciting and yet dangerous. Have you always wanted to do that? And work with your dad?”
    Rob looked over at the gorgeous woman looking expectantly at him. When was the last time a woman wanted to sit and talk to me? When was the last time one actually asked me about me? Feeling as though he was entering uncharted territories, he found that talking to Laurie was as