Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
I cocked a brow at her, then shifted around the table, taking the seat directly next to her instead of across from her. I slid my hand over her thigh under the tablecloth, hiking it higher as I dragged my nose along her neck, stopping with my lips at the shell of her ear.
“Do you think you need to be worried, baby?” I asked, nibbling on her ear and relishing the way she instantly shifted into my touch, opening her thighs just wide enough to let my hand slide between them.
No one could see anything, thanks to the tablecloth, but fucking hell this woman was going to be the end of me. She was so open, so free, so very much mine.
I kissed the line of her jaw until I found her lips, kissing her like we were at home in my bed instead of our friend’s very crowded restaurant. I pulled away, my fucking chest expanding at the hazy, lust-starved look in her eyes.
“What were we talking about again?” she asked, smiling up at me.
“That’s what I thought,” I teased, nipping her bottom lip.
We fell into an easy conversation between light kisses and eating our meals, and I did my best to not give any hint of my nerves away.
On the inside? I was an absolute mess. I’d never been attached on Valentine’s Day, and I wanted it to be perfect for Luna, knowing the holiday in her past hadn’t ever been an exciting one. Plus, with what I had in store for tonight, I could hardly breathe around the uncertainty of it all.
We’d only been home a few days, the retreat ending the night I almost lost her. Thankfully, I’d fixed things with Ezra and landed their investor spot, but she was way more important than any business deal. Still, I was happy to partner with them, especially when I knew their tech would only add to the success of Luna’s website.
“How’s Jim?” Luna asked Anne long after we’d paid the bill, the two of us stopping at the host’s station to say goodbye.
“Perfect,” Anne answered, motioning to a two-top table in the back. We spotted Jim there, eating solo, and we gave him a wave. “He knew I had to work tonight, so he’s determined to stay in that spot until I’m off.”
“That’s so sweet,” Luna said, grinning at our friend.
“I can’t believe you’re ordering takeout on Valentine’s Day,” Lyla chided as she stomped out of her kitchen, eyes on Ridge who stood there with his arms crossed while he waited for his order. “Your best friend is sitting over there all alone. You could have at least stayed and eaten with him.”
Ridge stared down at Lyla. “He’s here for her,” he said, jerking his head in Anne’s direction. He leaned down, one hand on the takeout bag Lyla still held. “And if you couldn’t tell, I don’t give a fuck about Valentine’s Day.”
I cocked a brow at his rough tone, instinct telling me I should step between the two—not for Lyla’s sake, but for Ridge’s. Because it sure as hell looked like Lyla wanted to rip him to pieces, but I couldn’t tell if it was in the fun way or send-him-to-the-hospital way.
A few heartbeats later, and Lyla’s rage was replaced with a sugary-sweet look that bordered on flirtation. “That’s so sad,” she said, releasing the to-go order. “I’m certain the pleasure of your company would make it the most fun holiday ever.” Sarcasm dripped from her words before she spun around, heading back into her kitchen without a glance backward.
Ridge stood there, staring at the closed kitchen door with that normal scowl on his face for a few beats before grunting and heading out the exit.
“That’s always so fun to watch,” Anne said, bluntly giving voice to what we were all likely thinking.
“One day she’s going to tear his head off,” Luna said.
“I hope so,” I said, smoothing my hand over Luna’s back. “It’ll be funny as hell when she does.”
“See you guys later,” Anne said, hurrying to one of her tables before I guided Luna back to my car outside.
Nerves made my muscles clench the entire drive back to my place. It’d been as easy as choosing either her apartment or my house to stay in once we got back. Luna was still in the process of moving most of her things over. I knew everything was moving fast between us, but when I’d loved her all my life, it made a sort of sense that shouldn’t make any sense at all.
And I could only hope she felt the same way as I opened the door for her and led her inside.
“You forgot something important upstairs,” I said, my voice scraped raw. Fuck, why was I so worried?
“What’s that?” she asked, her voice all tease. She probably thought I was about to seduce her—and yeah, I totally would—but not until after.