Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“Why would you ask me that?” she eventually said.
I shrugged. “I was curious. Like I said, someday I plan on asking you to marry me, and I want to know where you might like to go for a honeymoon.”
Her eyes lit up, and I loved how more color flooded her cheeks.
“I knew when I was eighteen that I wanted to marry you,” I said. “When I hold you in my arms, I know I want to marry you. When I make love to you, I know for a fucking fact that I want you to be my wife.”
Tears started to build in her eyes.
“I feel like my emotions were placed on hold for years. Now that you’re back, I want to make you mine, Addie. I want to get married, have kids, grow old together.”
She sniffled and wiped her tears away. “I want all of that, too, Gannon. I’ve only ever dreamed of marrying you.”
It felt like my heart might burst from my chest. We stared at each other until someone cleared their throat, and the trance was broken. I looked up to see Pete standing there, a shit-eating grin on his face.
“Should I have a bottle of champagne sent over to the table?”
Adelaide and I started laughing. I stood and reached for my cousin’s hand. “It’s good seeing you, Pete.” With a quick wink at Addie, I said, “No champagne yet. Hopefully soon though.”
We both turned to look at Adelaide, who clearly had a sparkle in her beautiful eyes.
“I, for one, hope that when you do pop the big question, you consider doing it here,” Pete said.
I smiled but didn’t say anything.
“How are you liking your dinner?” he asked Adelaide.
“My goodness, it is so amazing. The cioppino absolutely melts in your mouth. And the spaghetti with clams and garlic…to die for.”
“Ah, the cioppino,” he said. “It was actually one of the first dishes I ever learned to make in Italy. It’s become one of my specialties.”
She smiled. “Well, please don’t stop making it. It’s delicious.”
Pete motioned for me to sit back down. “Please, sit and enjoy. What did you think of the food, Gannon?”
“As always, it was incredible.”
“Did Gannon happen to mention his time in Italy?” Pete asked Adelaide.
She raised a brow. “He was in Italy?”
Pete laughed. “Yes, he came to visit me when he was on leave in the Navy.”
“We were stationed in the Mediterranean Sea,” I said, “so it was a given I’d go visit my favorite cousin.”
“Favorite cousin, huh?” Pete chuckled. “If you’re trying to get dinner on the house, you’ll need to do more than that.”
I grinned. “I wouldn’t even think of asking.”
Pete gave me a slap on the back. “Good thing I already took care of it then, isn’t it?”
“Oh, Pete, you didn’t have to do that,” Adelaide admonished. She winked at me, then focused back on my cousin. “Please. Gannon’s more than able to pay.”
Pete and I both laughed. “I like her,” he said. “Don’t mess this up, Gannon.”
“Trust me, I won’t. And thanks for dinner.”
He tipped his head. “It was my pleasure. Enjoy the rest of your meal.”
Pete motioned for someone to come by and turn on the heaters. Even though it was August, it was a bit chilly with the cool breeze coming in off the ocean.
“In the mood for dessert?” I asked.
Adelaide looked out over the water. The sun had gone down and the moon was already up, casting a white light over the rippling waves. Letting out a sigh, she turned to face me. “I think the kind of dessert I’m in the mood for I can only get from you.”
My dick jumped in my pants, and I had to force myself to remain seated. What I really wanted to do was jump up and drag her right out of the restaurant. “I think I can give you what you want.”
She gave me a sexy smirk. “Are you sure?”
I leaned back in my chair. “Are you questioning my skills?”
With a mock gasp, she replied, “Never. I’m simply wondering if you’re up for the challenge. I’m feeling adventurous.”
My body began to sweat despite the cool evening. “Christ, Addie. Are you trying to make me take you right here on this table?”
She pouted. “If we did that, your cousin would never let us come back. And I really want to come back.”
I reached for my wallet, pulled out some bills, and tossed them on the table for the waitress. “Come on, we’re leaving. I’ll text Pete to thank him again for dinner. Right now, I need to get you back home.”
Adelaide stood, reached for her purse, and allowed me to guide her through the restaurant and into my Jeep. I was surprised when I didn’t get pulled over for speeding on the way home.
Once we got into the house, Adelaide held her hand up to stop me from coming any closer. “Whatever you do, don’t rip this dress or Palmer will kill me.”