Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26178 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26178 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
Of course, my dress is nothing like the one I wore the first night Bruce and I were together. Nostradamus wasn’t a date, per se, so tonight I want to look like a lady. I choose a blush pink dress with a sweetheart neckline that shows off a touch of my cleavage, and yet the fabric is fitted to show off my curves. It comes to just above my knees, but has a slit on one side than displays a sliver of creamy thigh when I walk. Paired with pearl white three-inch heels, I feel like a million bucks.
Right at four o’clock someone knocks on the door of Bruce’s penthouse and I freeze. Wait, my boyfriend didn’t tell me anyone would be stopping by. Heart pounding, I peer through the peep hole in the door, but as soon as I see his familiar frame on the other side, my pulse begins to slow to normal. That is, until I open the door.
Bruce is wearing a blue button-down shirt that brings out the sapphire color of his eyes while emphasizing the width of his shoulders. He’s paired it with black, fitted trousers that outline his long legs, and his hair is styled in its usual sexy, mussed up way. His eyes meet mine and then wander purposefully up and down my body, taking in every inch of me.
“You look beautiful, baby,” he says, his voice low and thick.
“You too. I wasn’t expecting you home so soon though.”
He smiles. “It’s a date, so I wanted it to be fancy, including me picking you up. I got ready in my office, honey. You know I have my own bathroom there.”
“Very sneaky,” I smile.
He leans in and hovers close to my lips. “You have no idea,” he whispers, before giving me a soft kiss.
Standing back up straight, the gorgeous billionaire holds out his hand and I take it. He immediately laces our fingers together, and it feels right, to be honest. He leads me to the private elevator that will take us down and out of the hotel without needing to cut through the main lobby, and when the doors whoosh open to the underground parking lot, a limo like the one we rode in our first night together is waiting right outside the door. Bruce helps me in.
Once we’re inside, he puts a heavy arm around my shoulders and holds me close as we make the ride to New York. “I considered driving us,” he murmurs, “but keeping my hands to myself for the long drive would be impossible. Turns out I was right.” I giggle as he places a finger under my chin, turning my face up to meet his, and gives me a long, sweet kiss.
The ride to the restaurant seems over in a flash, although it was probably at least two hours. The driver pulls up before a gleaming building with a green awning out front, and Bruce helps me out. The restaurant shines in the evening light, with close-cropped hedges and colorful flowers decorating the walkway. Of course, my gorgeous date is greeted by name the moment we step inside.
“Oh, good evening, Mr. Wilshire,” the host simpers. “Your dining area is ready if you’ll just follow me.”
The host leads us to a table in the back with a wonderful view of the garden beyond, halfway hidden from the other diners by huge vases of roses. Like a gentleman, Bruce pulls out my chair before taking a seat across the table, and a bottle of my favorite white wine is already chilling on ice. A waiter materializes as soon as we’re seated and pours us both glasses.
I hold my wine up, swishing the pale yellow liquid, and smile at Bruce. “This was you?”
He grins. “I wanted to make sure it was cold when we arrived. Just the way you like it, honey.”
“Thank you.”
I take a sip and close my eyes, relishing the sweet flavor on my tongue. “It’s delicious.”
“I knew you’d like it. Villa Rossa makes it in their own private vineyard in Napa.”
“Well, they should sell it because this stuff is great. Their grapes must be one of a kind!”
My boyfriend gives me a crooked smile. “I’m sure that can be arranged.”
Then, putting down my glass, I look over the menu. I know I said I wanted lasagna, but that was before I saw the selection at Villa Rossa because this isn’t like the cheap Italian restaurants I’ve eaten at before. I know I want to try something new.
“Everything here is delicious,” Bruce says, like he’s reading my mind. “Order anything you like, sweetheart.”
I smile at him. “I think I will but don’t be surprised at my appetite. I’m feeling hungry!”
Then, the waiter comes back to take our orders, and Bruce allows me to order first. “I’ll take the lasagna fritta as an appetizer, and then I’m have the lamb chops scottadito as my main course, with another glass of wine please. Oh, and is it possible to order dessert now? I just want to put in my order with the kitchen.”