Playing For Keeps by Deborah Fletcher Mello Page A

held his gaze, studying the look in his eyes. Taking a deep breath she drew her tongue across her lips as she closed her mouth and rested the fork back onto her plate.
    â€œPrison?”
    â€œWell, not really prison. It was actually county jail.”
    â€œWhat was the charge?”
    â€œAssault. It was some guy my ex-wife was sleeping with and I didn’t take it well.”
    â€œAnd that’s the only thing you’ve done time for?”
    â€œIt was only eight months and when I got out, I got myself together. I stopped drinking and I haven’t had any charges or committed any crimes since, nor do I plan to.”
    Her expression suddenly went blank, her gaze shifting to some spot just past his shoulders. Malcolm could almost see her brain processing what she’d just learned. A wave of anxiety rushed the length of his spine, his stomach starting to tighten into a knot. He felt himself holding onto the air in his lungs as he waited for her to respond.
    â€œSo you’re a convicted felon?”
    He shook his head. “No. My crime was classified as a mid-level misdemeanor.”
    There was another lengthy pause but this time she stared directly at him, their gazes locked tightly together.
    Cilla finally nodded. “Under any other circumstances, with any other man, this would probably be our one and only date,” she said matter-of-factly. “I’d be too scared to take this any further. Wondering what other dark secrets you might decide to spring on me when I least expect it.” She paused.
    â€œBut?”
    â€œBut, I’m just overwhelmingly impressed by your honesty. And you don’t frighten me. I actually like you.”
    Malcom smiled, finally releasing that breath he’d been holding.
    She picked up her fork and began eating again, her gaze still locked with his as she drew it to her mouth. She chewed slowly, then swallowed before speaking again. “I think the next time we go out we should go to Snoopy’s for hotdogs. I’ll even treat,” she said with a slight smile.
    â€œIt’s a date!” Malcolm answered.
    â€œIt will be so don’t you forget it,” Cilla replied.
    Malcolm laughed. “I like you, too, Cilla Jameson. I really like you a lot.”
    Cilla gave him a wink of her eye as she reached her fork into his plate and took a bite of his blackberry cobbler. Drawing it to her mouth she closed her eyes and purred softly, savoring the delicate flavors. When she opened them again, Malcolm was eyeing her intently, biting down against his bottom lip. Without her saying a word, he knew without any doubts that liking each other was just the tip of the iceberg of what they were both beginning to feel for each other.
    Despite the late night hour, the evening ended too quickly. When they finally finished their meal neither was ready to part ways. Malcolm drove slowly back to the airport, and his own car, which was still parked in the airport’s daily parking lot. Pulling behind his vehicle he shifted her car into park and turned off the engine.
    Exiting the driver’s side he sauntered around to the passenger side door and opened it. Cilla eased herself up and out, standing tall as she met his intense gaze.
    â€œThank you,” he said, his deep voice dropping to a loud whisper.
    Cilla smiled. “I’m the one who needs to be thanking you. I had a really great time tonight.”
    He reached for her hand, entwining his fingers between hers. Her palm was soft and warm, the touch electric. He led her around the car to the driver’s side.
    He was still holding tightly to her. “Call me when you get home, please, so I know you got there safely.”
    â€œI will. Are you buying coffee in the morning?” she asked.
    He grinned. “Are you meeting me?”
    She nodded her head yes as she pressed her other hand to his chest, her finger tips burning hot through his dress shirt. She tilted her face upward, her