Free Playing For Keeps by Deborah Fletcher Mello Page B

hers, the warmth of his breath blowing gently against her earlobe and teasing her neck. She opened her eyes and met the look he was giving her. His stare was intoxicating, drawing her headfirst into the wealth of it.
    â€œSo, do you want to be my boyfriend?” she whispered, a wave of nervousness passing over her expression.
    Malcolm smiled. “Woman, I thought you would never ask,” he whispered back.
    His large fingers cupped her chin, tilting her face to his. Cilla met his lips as he captured her mouth beneath his own. His kiss was eager and searching until his lips settled contentedly against hers. Both fell into the moment, the connection like nothing either had ever experienced before. Malcolm tightened the hold he had on her, his mouth like silk gliding against hers.
    Cilla struggled to stay focused, to remember where she was and what she was doing. But her mind was mush, not one coherent thought to be found. She had no words for their first kiss. Nor could she explain the wealth of emotion that suddenly consumed her. She had wholeheartedly enjoyed their banter, being as quick with the quips and jokes as he had been. The laughter that always followed never felt forced or contrived, it being as natural as the two of them breathing.
    But now, in Malcolm’s arms, sharing such an intimate moment with a roomful of people watching, she was speechless, unable to articulate what she was feeling about his touch and the nearness of him. Because in that moment Malcolm Cobb felt too good to be true. Everything about the man seemed unreal, as if he were an apparition who might disappear if she ever woke from the dream she imagined she had fallen into. Her heart was suddenly racing and she felt her body trembling uncontrollably. Right then and there Cilla knew she never wanted to kiss anyone else again.
    The moment was interrupted when Odessa abruptly bumped against Malcolm’s back. “Excuse me,” she said as the two parted, both eyeing each other anxiously. Malcolm took a deep breath and held it as Cilla panted softly.
    â€œY’all might want to get a room for all that,” Odessa exclaimed as she brushed past them toward a back table.
    Malcolm shook his head as Cilla’s face flushed with color, her cheeks deepening to a deep red. “What were you saying about family?” he jibed.
    Cilla grinned. She grabbed both his hands and reached up to press her lips to his one last time. “Why don’t you introduce me to the rest of your friends,” she said.

Chapter Five
    â€œYou’re never home anymore!” Cleo exclaimed, her expression showing her displeasure with her father.
    â€œI’m home all the time,” Malcolm responded. “Just because I have a date tonight doesn’t mean I’m never home.”
    â€œWho is she?” Claudia questioned.
    Malcolm blew a low sigh. The twins sat in the center of his king-size bed, both eyeing him curiously. His personal life had suddenly become a point of discussion when he’d announced he had a date and wouldn’t be able to join them at the community pool for an afternoon swim. The news had not gone over well and then the questions had come.
    â€œI told you already. She’s someone I met recently, that I’m getting to know. She invited me to join her at an art event this afternoon that one of her friends is hosting and I told her I would go.”
    â€œIs this the same woman you had dinner with two nights ago and coffee with the other day?” Claudia asked.
    He nodded, annoyance suddenly pulling at his expression. “She is. Is there something wrong with that?” He looked from one to the other.
    â€œYou two have been spending a lot of time together to only be friends,” Cleo snapped.
    Malcolm hesitated as he met the stare his daughter was giving him. He and Cilla had been spending a lot of time together. As much as both could manage without neglecting their many responsibilities.