Still Fine at Forty by Dakota Madison Page B

baby squash and corn. When it came to dessert, I was too stuffed to even consider it.
    “We could split a small one,” Cody said trying to tempt me.
    “Okay,” I agreed. “But pick what you want; I’ll probably only take a bite.”
    Cody ordered Crème Brûlée with berries. When the waiter put in in front of us with two spoons, the dessert was anything but small.
    Cody took one of the spoons from the dish and handed it back to the waiter. “We won’t need this.”
    I raised an eyebrow.
    Cody took a spoonful of dessert and fed it to me. “How is it?” he asked.
    I had no words to describe how wonderful it tasted. “You have to try it. It’s amazing.”
    Cody took a bite and nodded. “You’re right. It’s delicious. You need another bite.”
    Cody continued to feed me small bites and taking bites himself until the dessert was nearly gone.
    When the waiter took the remains of the dessert away and left the check, Cody looked at me with a serious expression. “So, how was everything?”
    “Special,” I said. “Wonderful.” Maybe the best date ever. “Especially the company.” I gave him a big smile. “Thank you so much. I know this place isn’t cheap. I really appreciate you taking me here.”
    “Your beautiful smile is worth every penny,” he said as he placed a stack of bills into the bill folder.
     
    ***
     
    When we got back to my room, there was a bit of awkwar dness as we stood in the entry.
    “I really want you to come in,” I said as I unlocked the door.
    “How’s your hand?” he asked.
    I held it up. “A lot better.”
    He nodded then stepped closer and grabbed me. He pulled me close and kissed me. This time his kiss wasn’t soft and gentle. It was filled with fire. His tongue pushed deeply into my mouth sending his heat rushing through my entire body.
    We just about made it into the room between explosive kisses.
    He looked into my eyes. “I want you.”
    I nodded. I wanted him more than I ever wanted anything in my life. “It’s been a while since I…” He cut my words off with another kiss. This one was so forceful, I moaned. I felt a longing so deep inside, only one thing would fill the fierce desire.
    He carefully unbuttoned the front of my dress and pushed it from my shoulders just enough that it slipped off my body and fell to the floor. I felt so vulnerable standing in my underwear in front of him. A sudden panic swept through me as I wondered what he thought of my 40-year-old body. How did I compare to the 20-year-olds he’d no doubt been with?
    My fear faded when I saw the desire in his eyes. I was suddenly very glad that Mel had talked me into the sexy bra and undies.
    His eyes devoured me—took in every inch of me. “You’re beautiful,” he said as he eyes finally joined mine.
    “And you’re still fully clothed,” I said. He nodded and without taking his eyes off of me, he unbuttoned his shirt and let it fall to the floor. My jaw nearly fell to the floor with it. His muscles were so tight; his chiseled build was amazing. The mere sight of it sent another round of tremors through me.
    When I looked into his eyes, I sensed a bit of discomfort. That’s when I noticed an extremely deep scar that ran from his shoulder all the way down his arm to just above the inside of his elbow. A second scar ran from underneath his armpit diagonally down his chest to almost mid-chest. The wounds had been ugly and the despite what was probably the surgeon’s best efforts, the scars were prominent.
    I put up my hand and leaned in to touch the longest scar that ran from his shoulder down to his mid upper arm. He flinched when my fingers touched the scar’s jagged edge. Even though the scars were obviously old, he seemed to be in pain when I touched him.
    “Does it hurt?” I asked tentatively.
    He shook his head, but I could still see the hurt in his eyes. Maybe the pain wasn’t physical. I decided it was a conversation for another time. When I moved my hands away from the scars