Sideways Glance (Christmas Cookies 7)

Christmas Cookies: Sideways Glance
Camille Anthony
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2007 Camille Anthony

I'm shopping for fruit in the produce aisle at Giant Eagle, for the first time in years, planning dinner for one. It's difficult when you're used to cooking for two. I'm concentrating, so I don't immediately notice him. By about the third time, though, I spy this white man out the corner of my eye -- looking good enough to eat -- cutting a sizzling sideways glance at me.

I'm startled into sneaking another peek. Whooee! This guy is buff, definitely worthy of a second glance. Sun-kissed skin stretched tight over a brawny muscular frame catches my attention. Swimmer's build: wide shoulders and strong upper body, this man is tall, built and tanned. He's got loads of blond hair falling over a wide forehead, wicked blue eyes, and a pair of juicy lips a brother would envy.

This is a definite plus because most white men don't have lips. I kid you not. You have to be careful. A girl can start out with a lippy guy and end up with someone who looks like Peter Weller, the actor who played Robocop and Buckaroo Bonzai. He had nice lips once upon a time, but now… Sad… just sad.

Anyway, Lippy Built Guy is standing beside a gorgeous blonde woman who is checking out the fresh spinach, but he's definitely checking out moi. Pretending I can't feel his gaze -- hot enough to fry bacon -- on me, I lean way over and grab for an out of the way peach, to highlight my best feature. I give a little discreet wiggle of that asset and hear him catching a ragged breath.

It's round and plump -- my ass, not the peach -- and sticking out so far he can't miss it. My friend Danika -- who ought to know, 'cause she married one -- says white men secretly love big assed black women. I turn my head and, sure enough, he's eyeing mine with this hungry shark look. Lordy, if he stared any harder, my ass would grow teeth marks.

Okaaay! Excitement's rising. I've never gotten this hot just from being ogled by some dude. Decide to live, and all manner of juices start flowing. Sucking in a cooling breath, I go back to reaching for this peach, pretending to stumble. Before I can say jungle fever, he's there steadying me, the palm of one big hand riding the small of my back.

"Miss, are you okay?"

Your broad hot palm is practically scorching my ass. Hell yeah I'm okay. "Yes, thanks. Wow, I almost fell… would have if you hadn't caught me." I flash a coy look up under my lashes. (Hey, get off my case. I'm looking to get laid, not win any political correctness awards. A girl's gotta do… and all that.) I put my hand up, pretending to shield my gaze from a bright light. "All that shine is blinding me, though."

He looks confused. "Huh?"

Okay, so maybe he's not the scarecrow after a visit with the wizard, but I'll settle for the major heat he's packing in those tight blue jeans. "Dude, the sun's glinting off all that metal. You know… knight in shining armor and all that."

He laughs and shakes his head with a rueful grin, holding his hands chest high, palms out. "Go ahead. Make fun of me. My apologies if the weight of my glance or the touch of my hand offended you. I should have known better…"

Dropping the coy act, I give him the straightest look I can. "Look, I'm sorry. I joked to cover my nervousness, but I wasn't making fun of you and you haven't offended me. You threw me off, is all. In this day and age, it's nice when you find someone willing to risk helping a person of different color. I meant the part about the armor."

"Then my sideways glance was not too forward?"

I chuckle. "Not at all."

He breathes a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. I wasn't sure…"

I shrug and he looks down at me, eyes narrowed and focused. His gaze drops from my face and I bite back a grin. He's staring at my double D breasts, watching my nipples pop under my blouse. They're hard and tight, aching something fierce, standing up and begging for his attention. I let my breathing increase to fine-focus his attention. Oh yeah, his mouth opens as his eyes follow every inhalation.

"So, introduce yourself. A woman ought to have a name to call her hero."