Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 42491 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42491 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
"You're really good at it," he answered as his smile brightened and the sparkle returned to his eyes. "Are you sure you don't mind? That's something my other dates complained about; that I was too nervous or jittery."
"It's my pleasure. And as far as those other dates go, they're the ones with the problem. Instead of blaming you for having normal human emotions, they should have asked themselves what they could do to help you through them. It sounds like those boys only cared about themselves. You need a real man to take care of you."
After swallowing hard, Henley wet his lips with his tongue in the most sinfully innocent gesture. "I…I think you're right," he answered, barely above a whisper. "I need a real man to…"
When his words trailed off, I pressed gently, "To take care of you."
Another hard swallow and a whispered, "To take care of me."
They were just a few simple words in a simple moment, but they held so much more; it was the beginning of Henley acknowledging his needs, along with my understanding of them, and my willingness to meet them. We had so much more to discuss, but this was the first step.
"Hello," stole my attention, and I turned to find a young woman standing at the end of our booth. "My name is Lilly and I'll be your waitress this evening. Can I start you guys off with something to drink?"
"I'll take a Coke," I replied before looking back at Henley. "How about you, kitten?" The name didn't exactly slip out; it had been bouncing around my head since Henley had asked so many questions in the cruiser. He was curious, sweet, and small, just like the animal. But I also used it to show Henley without a doubt that I was happy to be with him on our date, and was glad to show him off to everyone.
And his reaction to the name was even more precious than I expected; Henley's cheeks blushed, his smile sparkled, and his chin tucked in towards his chest. He seemed to completely forget the question until I raised my eyebrows and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
"Oh! I'll take sweet tea," he finally replied. I wasn't surprised that he chose the most sugar-packed drink possible.
"Okay, I'll go grab those and be right back," Lilly said before sliding two menus onto the table and walking away.
I opened my menu before flipping Henley's open as well. "I was only teasing you before about the chicken wings; order anything you want. But I still think you're missing out if you don't get a burger." I pointed to a section on his menu which held the sandwich options.
As Henley looked over the page, he chewed on his lip, making me hungry for something very different than food. I wanted a taste of that plump bottom lip, as well as the rest of him.
"I'm not sure," he said, snapping me out of what was probably some seriously creepy staring. "There are so many options. You know what's good here; will you order for me?"
I realized that most men would not have found that to be a sexy sentence. But I wasn't most men. Henley's request for my control and care was verbal foreplay to me. He surely didn't know that asking me to choose his food would have me rock hard beneath the table, but there it was, scraping my zipper.
My voice was husky when I replied, "Of course, kitten."
I nearly ripped a hole right through my jeans when he smiled and said, "Thank you. And I love when you call me that."
Lilly returned with our drinks and I took a big gulp of soda to cool down before I ordered a barbecue burger with fries and a bacon cheeseburger with onion rings. When our waitress left again, I explained to Henley, "We can share it all so you can see what you like best."
"That's a great idea."
"Thanks, I have one every now and then," I teased, making Henley giggle. It was a beautiful sound.
He chewed his lip for a moment again before asking, "Do you think asking me out was a good idea?"
He was searching for reassurance, so I kept my gaze on his and told him seriously, "It was my best idea yet."
Henley flashed a pearly smile that made my heart skip a beat. I was quickly realizing that I'd do just about anything to put that smile on his face.
"So," I began, giving him my full attention, "Tell me all about Henley."
"Oh! Um…okay." He took a sip of tea as he thought. "Well, I live here in town, in an apartment, by myself." I smiled at the pride in his voice. "Let's see; you already know where I work. Umm…"
Henley's fingers went twisting, and I could practically feel his panic rising. Maybe he wasn't used to talking about himself, or wasn't sure what to say. Either way, it was time to step in.