Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
“Hey sweetheart,” he greets in a low voice, leaning over to kiss me as soon as I’m buckled in. “You look beautiful, Janie.”
“How would you know? You can barely even see me,” I tease. Of course, there’s moonlight streaming into the cab so my words aren’t exactly true. After all, there’s enough that I can see that my lover’s huge and gorgeous as always. That inky black hair looks like it absorbs light, and his profile is strong, masculine, and proud, limned by a slight glow from the stars. A work shirt hugs his broad shoulders and he’s got casual Levi’s on. I melt a little, knowing what he’s packing between his thighs.
My heart pounds quickly in my chest as he presses another kiss to my soft pout.
“I just know you look amazing,” Brand rasps against my lips. “You’ve always been beautiful, honey.”
Then, he starts the car with a knowing grin as my heart turns to mush. OMG, this is turning really romantic! I admit that when I dreamed of my lover this past week, it was mostly just sexual. I thought of all the positions we hit, and all the positions we’ll hit later tonight. But something’s different right now. There’s romance in the air, and Brand’s actually quite the gentleman, come to think of it. He sneaks me a knowing look as we drive.
“Oh, I know what’s going through your naughty mind,” he growls, gently palming the clutch. “Don’t get any ideas, Janie, because we’re going on a wholesome date tonight.”
I giggle as we cruise down an empty street.
“Wholesome? Who me?”
He chuckles again while making a left.
“Yes, you.” He sends me a knowing look. “Very much you, honey.”
I decide to give up the act.
“Okay, you got me,” I giggle. After all, maybe I’m just totally wrong about the whole romance thing. Awkwardly, I clear my throat and my cheeks flush as I try to hide my emotions. “Where are we going?” I ask in a fairly normal tone.
Brand grins in the dark.
“Ever heard of a place called The Limetree?”
I think about it for a few moments before shaking my head. “No, I don’t think so. What is it? A bar? Club? Where is it, actually? I’ve lived in Englewood Cliffs my entire life so it’s weird that I’ve never heard of it.”
Brand grins.
“There’s a reason for that,” he drawls. “The Limetree is a honky-tonk, so I figured it only attracts a certain crowd.”
I giggle.
“You’re right because I’m not one for country music. I mean, ‘Throw Momma Off the Train’ is okay, but I think that’s the only song I like.”
Brand pretends hurt.
“You don’t like ‘Old Town Road’ by Lil Nas X? It’s practically a classic!”
I laugh.
“Okay, I like Lil Nas X, and yes, I think the fact that he was overlooked for not being country enough is total bullshit. But you’re right. I’m not a honky-tonk girl. I didn’t even know that there existed one in this area!”
Brand chuckles low in his throat, his big hands relaxed on the steering wheel. “It’s just in the next town over, so it shouldn’t take us too long to get there.”
“Mm, that sounds good.” Then I cover my mouth while yawning quietly, and he looks over at me for a second.
“Sleepy?”
I yawn out loud then, not trying to hide it anymore.
“I’m not much of a night owl,” I confess. “I’m like a grandma. My eyelids start to droop around 8 o’clock.”
He shoots me a sideways look.
“Well, hopefully our next date can be a lot earlier then. Specifically, we should meet during the day, so that you’ll be back home in time to catch your soap opera, eat your applesauce, and maybe even squeeze in a game of bingo before you hit the hay,” he teases.
I giggle quietly, but inside, my heart nearly pounds out of my chest and butterflies fill the pit of my stomach as I think about what he said.
Our next date.
He already wants to take me out on another one.
Wow, that’s exciting!
Of course, I know that Brand likes me—I mean, we get along great both in and out of bed—but I don’t know. Somehow, part of me thought that he was just being nice by taking me out, like this is some obligatory ‘thank you for letting me have sex with you’ date and then I’d never hear from him again. I know it’s stupid to think like that, especially when the older man’s given me no reason to, but it’s just hard to believe that a man so drop-dead gorgeous would actually be interested in me.
But it seems that he is, and I smile blissfully at my good fortune.
“Next time then,” I smile softly. “I can’t wait.”
Brand takes my hand as we drive, and we lapse into comfortable silence as a balmy breeze swirls in the truck cab.