Tender Kisses. Sheryl Lister

about inviting three girls over at the same time?”

      Her mouth fell open. “I sure would’ve loved to see how you got out of that one.”

      “It wasn’t easy. I couldn’t get a date for six months after that little stunt.”

      They continued to laugh and swap stories over second and third cups of coffee and tea. Siobhan enjoyed every moment. When she finally glanced at her watch, three hours had passed. “I didn’t realize how late it is. I’m supposed to be at my parents’ house right now.”

      “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you late.” He leaned forward and flashed that sexy smile. “But I have to tell you, this is the best non-date I’ve ever had.”

      The timbre of his voice and the intensity of his gaze made her pulse race. “I...I had a good time, too.” She opened her purse and pulled out a few bills.

      “What do you think you’re doing?” Justin asked, staring at her as if she had lost her mind. “Siobhan, please put your money away. My invite, my dime.”

      She didn’t want to owe any man or find strings attached to an invitation, so she always made it a practice to pay her own way, even for a three-dollar cup of tea. But Justin stared her down until she put the money back in her purse. “Thanks. I’d better go.”

      He was up and around to her side of the booth with his hand extended before she took her next breath. Recalling the warm feelings his touch stirred in her last night, she hesitated briefly before placing her hand in his. He gently helped Siobhan to her feet and tugged her close to him. For a moment she thought he might kiss her... She wanted him to kiss her.

      Finally he backed away and murmured, “Let me pay for this and I’ll walk you to your car.” Justin gestured for her to lead the way to the counter.

      She walked ahead of him on shaky legs, feeling the heat of his gaze on her. After paying, Justin reached for her hand again and pushed through the doors. They stopped next to her car.

      “Nice ride,” he said.

      “Thanks. I like it,” she said of the Lexus SUV. “I wanted a little luxury, but it had to be safe and functional, as well.” They fell silent for a moment.

      “Well, I guess I should let you go. Siobhan, I know you said you don’t have time to date, but I’d really like to see you again. We can even come back here again, if you like.”

      “Justin, I—”

      He moved his body flush against hers. “Please don’t say no.”

      The contact made her pulse leap. She opened her mouth to tell him she couldn’t see him, and his mouth came down on hers. He kissed her gently, unhurriedly, bringing his hands up to frame her face, holding her in place. A slow burn started in her belly and flared out to the other parts of her body, causing her to tremble. Siobhan moaned.

      Justin eased back and whispered against her lips, “Say you’ll go out with me.” He gifted her with one last kiss and stepped back.

      Still trying to get her breathing under control, she said, “Can I think about it?”

      “Absolutely.” He whipped out his cell. “Give me your number and I’ll call you this week.”

      She recited the numbers then pressed the remote to unlock her doors. He reached around her and opened the door.

      After she was seated behind the wheel, he leaned in and kissed her again. “Drive safely, and enjoy your dinner.”

      Siobhan managed to nod. She started the car with a shaky hand and backed out of the spot. Justin smiled and threw up a wave as she passed. She waved back and wondered what she was getting herself into.

      * * *

      For the second day in a row, Justin watched Siobhan drive away. He raked a hand down his face. He wasn’t supposed to kiss her, only engage her in friendly conversation. He certainly hadn’t planned to ask her out again. He walked to where his car was parked an aisle over, got in and leaned against the headrest. Her full, sexy lips were softer than he’d anticipated, and he could still taste the sweet flavor of honey from the kiss they’d shared. When she had scooped out the bit of honey left in the package with her finger and sucked it off, he almost came out of his seat. Justin had wanted to smear honey all over her and lick off every drop. If he ever got her to his house...

      He shook the thought away. No honey and no more kisses. He needed to focus on the goal and not get distracted. Except he had just asked her out on a date. He groaned. What was he doing? Okay, maybe dinner, nice conversation and sharing more childhood stories. Nothing more. He could do that. He had never allowed a woman to stand in the way of his dreams, and he wouldn’t now. Feeling confident he could pull it off, Justin started the engine and drove home.

      Once there, he went directly to his home office, booted up the computer and worked on his in-home safety sensor program. An hour later he placed sensors in his living room and used his cell to test whether it would distinguish between heights.

      “Yes!”

      Now that he had solved that problem, he had only a couple more additions he wanted to make. He was close to having a system that would outperform his competitors. And if it hit the market in a big way...

      Excitement raced through his veins. Justin’s stomach rumbled. The toast and coffee was long gone. He removed the sensors, shut down the computer and padded to the kitchen to find something to eat.

      After finishing his meal, he tried to concentrate on the basketball game he was watching, but thoughts of Siobhan continued to play in his mind. Although she laughed and talked, she seemed somewhat guarded, even a little tense at times. He had fully expected her to bolt after the first few minutes and was surprised but pleased she stayed as long as she had. Sitting here now, he realized Siobhan had revealed very little about herself, preferring to keep the subject focused on her family and him. He chuckled thinking back on some of the stories they’d shared, especially the ones about dating, and wondered if her brothers still ran interference. Not that he should care one way or the other. Dating Siobhan Hunter did not fall under the scope of his mission. Yet something about her made him want to peel back the layers to find out what lay beneath her prim exterior.

      Justin glanced over at his cell and debated whether to call her. Was she still having dinner with family, or had she gone home to an empty house like him? Several minutes passed, and then he picked up the phone. It buzzed in his hand immediately.

      “Hey, Joce. What’s up? Your ears must have been burning.”

      “Hey, Justin. You were talking about me, huh? Hopefully it was to some cute guy.”

      He snorted. “In your dreams, Short Stack,” he said, using the nickname he had given her when she was five.

      “Hey, I may be short, but I’ve got my assets in all the right places,” Jocelyn retorted.

      Justin frowned. “I don’t want to hear about your assets, and there’d better not be anybody else looking at them, either,” he gritted out.

      She laughed. “Oh, lighten up, big brother. I’m too busy right now to deal with guys. So, who were you telling about me?”

      “I was sharing with a friend some of the pranks you and Yvonne used to pull. Turns out she had siblings who did her the same way.”

      “Did you say she? I haven’t heard you talk about a woman in ages. Ooh, wait till I tell Yvonne.”

      “Slow your roll, girl. It’s not like that. Anyway, I know you’re not calling to get in my business, so what’s on your mind?”

      “We’re working on a project in my engineering class, and I need your help.”

      “What kind of project?”

      “Designing an intruder detection system. I’m having trouble with it differentiating between humans and pets. Right now it goes off anytime there’s