Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Carrie
I put a lot more thought into what I’m wearing under my dress than the dress itself.
After work, I went back to my apartment in Brooklyn to pick up a few things, including a little black dress I only wore once.
I also plucked a black lace bra and panty set from my underwear drawer.
I’ve never worn the lingerie. I bought it on a whim when I saw it in an online ad. It was from Liore Lingerie, so I stopped there after work one day and showed the woman working the floor the ad on my phone. She gleefully ran to get the set in my size and then subtly convinced me to invest in another identical set in white.
I wore the white set to my sister’s wedding. The black set is under my dress now. It feels extravagant and looks incredible.
I did a few turns in the full-size mirror in Abby and Declan’s bedroom before I put on the dress.
I was able to do all of that in private because Rook asked Posey to stay late at the office today. I’m choosing to believe that he did that to give me time alone to get ready.
My hands fist around the small black clutch purse that Abby gave me for my birthday years ago. It was more of a mutual gift for both of us because she’s used it a lot more than I have. I thought she might have lost it, but I found it on a chair in her bedroom. Since it was empty, I scooped it up and tucked my wallet, a vial of one of the scents I developed, and a pack of breath mints in it.
Taking a deep breath, I glance out the window of the car I’m in.
It’s a rideshare. I don’t usually splurge for this, but tonight is a special occasion, so a little extra money spent is well worth it.
“I’ve never been to the restaurant you’re going to,” the driver tells me. “Have you?”
I shoot her reflection a smile in the rearview mirror. “No. This will be my first time.”
I bow my head to smile at the double entendre. This will indeed be my first time eating at Sérénité, a French restaurant on Tenth Avenue. It will also be the first time I have sex.
She offers me a smile back. “Is it a special occasion?”
I nod because damn right it is. “Yes.”
I don’t expand on that because I don’t want to lie to her by passing it off as something it’s not.
“Good.” She nods. “By the way, you look amazing.”
“Thank you,” I say, sincerely meaning it.
I took time in the shower after work to wash my hair, blow it dry, and straighten it. It’s not something I do often, but I love the look.
Typically, my hair is sporting its natural curl. It’s the only way Rook has seen it, but I want tonight to be as memorable to him as it is to me.
“We’re coming up to the restaurant now.” Her hand jumps up, encouraging me to look to my right.
When I do, I spot the restaurant, but I see something else, too. That sight sends my pulse racing.
Rook Thorsen, wearing a gorgeous dark gray three-piece suit and a killer smile is standing in the middle of the sidewalk outside the restaurant, waiting for me.
As soon as I’m out of the car, he’s in front of me, his gaze stuck on my face. “Carrie.”
“Hi, Rook.” I struggle to keep my voice even.
“What’s that saying about your beauty being worth a thousand words?” he whispers gruffly. “There isn’t a word in existence that describes how breathtaking you are.”
I stare into his eyes. The correct saying may be about a picture being worth that many words, but I’m all out of words at the moment. All I can do is feel.
His hand jumps to my chin to tilt my head up. He gazes into my eyes. We’re both oblivious to the people passing by us. The world beyond his touch has dropped out of view.
All I feel, see, and want is this man.
I made a conscious decision to take control of every aspect of my life a long time ago, and I’m about to do that again now.
With his gaze pinned on my face, I lick my bottom lip. “I’m not that hungry.”
His lips split into a smile. His eyes drop from my face to the front of my dress and beyond to my legs. “I am, for you.”
The confession sets me at ease. “You are?”
He nods silently, stepping even closer. The scent of his cologne envelops me as he stares down into my eyes. “I’m going to take you to the hotel.”
I nod slowly. “I want that.”
“You’re ready for that,” he says, not asks. “You want this.”
I correct him because he needs to know exactly why I’m with him tonight, “I want you.”