Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 107(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 107(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
She’s mine. I hate that anybody else gets to look at her, gets to see her in all her glory. I want to punch every man who looks her way just as much as I want to show her off.
I manage to get to her just as the bartender does. Delaney orders a cocktail, then reaches into the small glittery purse hanging over her shoulder to pay. I step in, sliding in beside her and relishing in the little gasp she makes as our shoulders brush.
I gesture to the bartender, catching his attention as he shakes the cocktail shaker. “Put whatever she wants on my tab,” I tell him, and he nods in acknowledgment before pouring out Delaney’s pink drink.
“You don’t have to do that,” Delaney murmurs, thanking the bartender when he slides her glass across the counter. Her cheeks blush that pretty pink I’ve been thinking of for an entire day, and I barely suppress a groan at the sight.
Fuck, she’s perfect.
“I told you I’d take care of you,” I answer, a smirk tilting up one corner of my mouth. She swallows, throat bobbing, and takes a sip of her drink. “Why didn’t you text me, pretty girl?”
Delaney shivers despite the fact it’s nowhere near cold in here. “I … I didn’t know what to say,” she admits, looking up at me through her lashes.
“You should say whatever you feel,” I reply, my eyes locked on to her as she blushes and fidgets under my gaze.
Delaney laughs, shaking her head, blonde wavy strands escaping her updo with the movement. “It’s not like I can just text you, a literal billionaire, and say, ‘Hey, I think you’re insanely hot, and I want to know every detail about what you meant by ‘taking care of me’’,” she says in a rush. When she pauses to breathe, her eyes go wide, and her blush deepens, her cheeks going scarlet. She ducks her head, trying to hide her expression behind her hair and looking everywhere but at me.
I reach out, grab her chin, and turn her face back in my direction, making her look at me. “Never hide from me, Delaney,” I warn, stroking my thumb along her jaw and savoring how soft her skin is. “I want every emotion, every thought, every expression you have.”
I’m drawn to her in a way I’ve never been drawn to anyone else, and I don’t want to hide it. Her lips part as she blinks up at me.
“There’s … there’s no way someone like you is seriously interested in someone like me.”
The sound that comes out of my throat is nothing less than a growl. “Never insult yourself like that again.”
“Why?” she whispers, barely audible over the music and loud conversations happening all around us.
I can’t help but grin at that breathy question. “Because if you do, I’ll need to punish you for it.”
The look on her face is stunning. Wide eyes, parted lips, shock and desire swirling in the ocean blue of her stare. It isn’t difficult to surmise that my pretty little teacher is absurdly innocent. That only makes me want to take care of her even more. Make her feel good in ways she hasn’t even dreamed of.
“Do you want to get out of here, go somewhere a little…”
“Less loud and crowded?” She giggles, and I smile.
“Exactly. Come with me, pretty girl.”
She hesitates for a brief second. “I just need to check on my friend,” she starts to say as she looks around, and I follow her gaze to find a short brunette making out with a tall redhead on the dance floor. “Well, never mind, she’s clearly occupied.” Delaney laughs, looking away quickly. “Besides, this place isn’t really my scene.”
I reach out, taking her hand and tugging gently. “Let me take you somewhere I think you’ll enjoy a little more,” I offer, and she grins up at me, letting me lead her away.
It doesn’t take long to get to Madison’s Diner, a far cry from Neon’s Bar and perfect for the fact. The diner is small and smells of pancakes, and when I step through the door, Delaney’s hand still in mine, the woman behind the counter calls out my name.
“Damien! So glad to see you again!” Madison greets with a big smile. The older lady is as warm as her diner, and I glance down to see Delaney smiling widely at my side. “And who’s this sweet thing you’ve brought with you? Aren’t you just beautiful?”
“Madison, this is Delaney,” I introduce, leading Delaney over to my favorite booth. It’s tucked into the back corner, perfect for people-watching and drinking coffee at 3 AM when trying to prep for very important meetings. God, I don’t miss those days. But I do miss Madison’s apple pie.
Delaney sits down across from me, looking around excitedly. “I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this.”