Rock Me All Night by Katherine Garbera

for ten dollars for charity. All of your favorites are on there.”
    â€œHow do you know that?”
    â€œBecause they’re all slow and sexy. Marvin Gaye, Stevie Ray Vaughan…all the ones you commented on when you picked me up that first night.”
    â€œMust be why I like you,” he said, putting down his fork.
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBecause you are sweet and sexy.”
    She couldn’t respond to that because she knew where this evening was leading and a part of her was afraid to let him any closer to her than he already was.
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    Lauren’s phone rang just as they finished dinner. She glanced at the caller ID. “It’s my mom. Do you mind?”
    â€œNot at all. I’ll give you some privacy,” he said, crossing her living room and opening the glass door.
    He stood on her small patio and listened to the sounds of the evening. The snow that had fallen earlier coated her backyard. It was chilly but he enjoyed that. It helped him focus on something other than Lauren.
    But that only worked for a few minutes. He liked her house. It was cozy and reflected the woman who lived there. Her family was obviously a close one. The pictures didn’t stop in the kitchen but covered the walls of her hallway and the mantel over her fireplace.
    Though she’d said she was searching for Prince Charming, he knew she wasn’t searching for love. She already had that in spades. He wished his parents could see her house. Then maybe they’d understand that what they were searching for couldn’t be found in the places they’d been looking.
    That finding a new mate and trying again wasn’t the answer to the family life they both had always been seeking. He rubbed the back of his neck.
    â€œWant some hot chocolate?” Lauren asked from the doorway.
    He pivoted to face her. She was silhouetted by the light that spilled from the living room, her thick hair curling around her face and falling on her shoulders. She canted one hip to the side and stood there in her stocking feet, looking more desirable than any fashion runway model.
    â€œIt’s kind of a yes-or-no question,” she said, holding her hand out to him.
    He wanted to take it. But at the same time, he didn’t want to go back into her homey little house and exchange more small talk. Or reveal any more details of his own dysfunctional clan. He wanted to get past this getting-to-know-you stage and get to the hello-naked stage.
    â€œYes, I want something hot,” he said, taking her hand, tugging her closer to him. He saw her shiver and knew he should just go inside.
    But he liked the idea of providing warmth forher, keeping her toasty on a cold night, so instead he drew her into his arms. Rubbing his hands up and down her back, he held her until she stopped shivering. He liked the way her curves felt against his body.
    â€œWill you mind if it’s powdered stuff? Actually it’s kind of embarrassing, but I love the kind with the little marshmallows in it.”
    â€œYou’re rambling,” he said. She must be nervous. He understood why. The mood had changed between them, and he suspected they both knew where they wanted the evening to end. But getting there always took some steps that could be slow and laborious.
    â€œWhat were you thinking about out here?” she asked, tipping her head up toward his.
    He leaned down. She had the most kissable mouth he’d ever seen. He brushed his lips lightly back and forth over hers. Her hands slid up around his shoulders, holding him.
    She traced the seam of his lips with her tongue, and her fingers caressed the ridge of his ear. He wanted her with a bone-deep certainty that made nothing else matter.
    She rose on her tiptoes, opened her mouth over his and kissed him. For the first time he allowed her to control the embrace. And he liked it. She wasn’t shy or tentative, but she also didn’t shove her tongue down the back of his throat. She