Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26508 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 88(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26508 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 88(@300wpm)
“I don’t think there’s anything you can do about sticking out.” Twirling a lock of my hair around his finger, he shook his head. “You’re too fucking gorgeous for anybody to miss, no matter how big the crowd.”
“I’m not sure about that, but I’m glad I somehow managed to capture your attention last night.”
He slid his hand down to grasp mine. “And held it every second since then.”
Ivy made big eyes at me as Cole led me out of our apartment. After he helped me into his car, we headed to an amazing French brasserie that I’d always wanted to try, but the price tag was too high for my bank account when I could eat dinner out at least three times for the same cost. Or twenty if we got a slice and a drink at the pizza place around the corner from our apartment.
I didn’t go out to expensive restaurants often. However, the spot Cole had chosen was pricey but not too fancy. And as an added plus, we had a lot of privacy in our corner booth.
While the server was getting us the bottle of champagne Cole ordered, he turned to me and asked, “What looks good to you?”
I was super tempted by the onion soup, but I didn’t want to ruin my breath in case he wanted to give me another amazing kiss tonight. “Maybe the chicken paillard?”
His blue eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled at me. “Why do I have the feeling something else caught your eye?”
“Umm.” I bit my bottom lip. “Probably because onion soup gratinée is one of my favorites?”
“Order it, lass. I want you to have whatever you desire.” He stretched his arm over the back of the booth, pulling me close as he rasped, “I’ll order it too, and I have plenty of mints in the car. No need to worry. I’m gonna get my good night kiss, no matter what you eat.”
“Okay.” My breath caught in my throat at the sensual promise in his gaze.
“In fact, I think I should kiss you right now, just to be sure.”
My yes was whispered into his mouth as he captured mine in a deep kiss. Wrapping my hair in his fist, he tilted my head back for better access, and I was sorely tempted to climb on his lap when the server gently set the ice bucket with the champagne on our table.
I swiped my tongue against my bottom lip to capture his masculine taste when he pulled away from me. “Oops.”
Cole’s answering chuckle sent a delicious shiver down my spine, and I was hyperaware of the heat from his body as we placed our order. As promised, he ordered the soup too, so I didn’t have to worry about stinky breath later. Not that it would have mattered anyway because all I could taste by the end of our meal was the berries, meringue, and lemon mascarpone mousse from the pavlova I had for dessert.
Patting my stomach, I let out a satisfied sigh. “Wow, the food was incredible.”
“Best meal I’ve had in a long time,” Cole agreed, pushing his empty plate toward the middle of the table. “And not just because the food was fucking awesome.”
“Oh yeah?” I tilted my head back to smile at him.
“Yeah, the company was even better.”
I narrowed my eyes at him and playfully asked, “Are you sure it’s been a while since you dated? Because you’re really, really good at this.”
“Only because it’s you, lass.” Cupping my chin, he brushed his thumb against my cheekbone. “You bring out the best in me.”
“That makes me a very lucky girl, then.” I stared up at his gorgeous face as I confessed, “You made my first, real, grown-up date the absolute best I ever could’ve imagined.”
“Fuck, lass. You can’t say shit like that to me when we’re in public.” He shifted in his seat, and my eyes dropped to the large bulge in his pants. “I’m always turned on when you’re near, but knowing I’ve gotten to enjoy another of your firsts with you makes me hard as a steel pipe.”
“Sorry,” I giggled, my cheeks filling with heat that had nothing to do with embarrassment and everything to do with being turned on.
He shook his head with a rueful chuckle. “You don’t look very apologetic.”
“Probably because I like knowing I have that effect on you.”
His voice roughened as he said, “With that red hair, I shoulda known you were a feisty lass.”
“Well, now you do,” I teased.
“That I do,” he murmured, signing the slip the server dropped off with his credit card.
Our night had been amazing, but I didn’t want it to end. Not yet. Maybe not ever, given how much I enjoyed being with him.
As though he was reading my mind, Cole murmured, “Any chance you’d want to head back to my place?”