Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 115833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
I tried not to think how ridiculous it was to still be wearing my wedding rings so many months after my husband died. Just like the dragonfly necklace, they felt sacred—like something I couldn’t take off, not even in the shower.
Deke’s lips pushed together before he said, “I respect that.”
“I’m glad you do. That makes you a true gentleman.”
“Can I ask you something, though?” he asked.
I eyed him. “Sure.”
“Are you happy with the man who put that ring on your finger?”
My back straightened like a board as I fought a frown. I hesitated before asking, “Why do you ask that?”
“Because you don’t seem happy. Overall, I mean.”
“How do you mean?”
“I don’t know.” Deke’s cognac eyes penetrated mine, then he dropped his gaze to my rings again. “I think it’s your eyes. There’s a sadness or a longing in them, but they still hold a lot of passion. And it’s like you want to pour all that passion out and place it somewhere, but he won’t let you . . .” He paused, twisting his lips. “Or maybe you can’t. Long distance. Marital issues. Lack of trust, possibly. I’m no relationship expert, though.”
I pulled my gaze away, and my guard went up like a steel wall. What was he, a shrink now? “It’s none of those.”
I was getting uncomfortable with where this conversation was heading. My eyes prickled with heat, and I blinked to cool the burn as I checked my phone for the time. It was nearing nine, and the contract was signed. There was no need to entertain him any longer. I had to get out of here before I started bawling at the table.
I darkened the screen of my phone before putting my focus on him.
“So, listen, dinner was great, Declan.”
“Deke,” he corrected.
“Sorry. Deke.” I collected my purse and pushed out of my chair. Deke stood too. “Tish was right. This place is incredible. Thank you for the invitation to dinner, the endless cups of water, and for agreeing to endorse us. I’ll leave some cash so you can pay.”
I was about to undo the clasp of my purse, but Deke stopped my hand with his. My breath hitched as I focused on the brown hand that felt like it was searing into my skin.
When my eyes dragged up to his, I didn’t expect to find him so close to me. His cologne was intoxicating, and those damn eyes, bordered with impossibly long lashes, were hooking me good.
Why did he have to look at me like that? Like he owned every part of me, down to my blood cells. This man oozed sex appeal, and he knew it.
Deke had a way of making a woman feel special, like he only had eyes for her and like she was the only woman in the room. I understood it now—what drove the fans crazy (and probably the women he encountered on a daily basis).
I was positive I wasn’t the first person he made feel this way, and I damn sure wouldn’t be the last. Not that it concerned me. This fluttery, nervous feeling I got with him wasn’t going to matter when the night was over.
“Don’t worry about paying,” he said, taking his hand away.
“Huh?”
“The bill. I’ve got it,” he said, the corner of his mouth quirking up. “Come on. I’ll walk you out.”
“Right. Yeah.”
My heart sped up a notch as he followed me out of the restaurant. So much for that steel wall going up. When we made it to my car, he stopped only a few steps away from me while I unlocked it and opened the door halfway.
“Thanks again,” I said, unsure what else to say.
“Don’t sweat it.”
“And for signing the deal. This is going to be great for you! You’ll see. We’ll make it worth your while. Tish will email you and Arnold about the photo shoot and all the other details within a week or so.”
“Sounds good.” Deke continued smiling, but I don’t think he really cared about the deal or the emails that would follow from Tish. He kept watching me, his eyes shimmering beneath the streetlights.
He revealed those dimples again, and that’s when I had to look away. He really was sexy. I needed to get away from this man. He was making me feel things I shouldn’t have felt.
I fumbled with my keys as I slid into the car. Taking a step back, Deke threw his hand up and tossed me a wave as I started the engine.
I waved back before pulling out of my parking space, but as I drove away and looked in the rearview mirror, his head was bowed and a big, adorable grin was on his face.
He was smiling like a schoolboy with a crush.
SIX
DEKE
The bass of the music pulsed through my shoes as I sat on a leather sofa, a drink in one hand and my phone in the other. I was at one of EJ’s many offseason parties in the private house he owned in Atlanta.