Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
But that’s okay.
This is a fancy restaurant, so the wine is brought out, opened, and offered to Derek for sniffing and tasting. Upon his approval, the sommelier pours it for us. We both order the lobster, which makes us grin at each other. Finally, when we’re all alone and waiting for our meals, he looks me in the eyes and says, “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Well, there is a list of things,” he says with that half-smile again. “It goes without saying that you’ve done an excellent job at the office despite our…rocky beginning.”
“I rather liked the rocky beginning.” His eyes narrow, and I can’t help but laugh. “Go on.”
“Just thank you. For being you. I feel like it should be noted that you’re a remarkable woman.”
I sip my wine, watching him over the rim of the glass.
“You’re welcome.”
He smirks and drinks his wine. For the rest of the dinner, we talk about actual personal things that have me hanging on every word he says, like how his relationship with his parents has never been tight and he finds it hard to trust women. So much from the past month starts to make sense, and I am even more attracted to him than I was before now that I know so much more. I can’t wait to dive even deeper.
“Would you like dessert?” Jessica asks when she comes by, but we’re both already shaking our heads. The look in Derek’s eyes tells me he has something else planned for dessert tonight.
And I can’t wait.
Jessica closes out the tab at the table, and within minutes, we’re back in Derek’s car. The tone has changed from easy, friendly flirtation to thick lust.
“So, you live not far from the restaurant then?”
His knuckles are white on the steering wheel. “About ten minutes,” he says.
“Do you have a lake view?”
“Yes. The house is on a cliff that looks out to the lake.”
“That’s great.” I clear my throat and press my fingers to my collarbone. We’ve had sex, but that was a while ago and before I really knew him at all. Now, I’m nervous.
“Are you okay?”
I look his way and offer him a smile. “I’m great. Thanks for dinner.”
“If you’d rather I took you home, I can do that.”
“No.” I blow out a breath. “I’m just nervous. You don’t happen to have any Twizzlers on hand, do you?”
That makes him laugh, and just like that, the tension is gone.
“Don’t be nervous, love.” He lifts my hand to his lips. “I want you here.”
He hits a button that opens a gate and he pulls through, driving down a winding driveway that leads to a house hidden in the trees. It’s a modern shape, with lots of windows facing the lake.
“Wow, this is beautiful, Der.”
His eyebrow lifts, and I grin.
“Can I call you Der?”
“You can call me whatever the fuck you want, love.”
He parks in the garage, cuts the engine, and I don’t wait for him to open my door for me. I push out of the car and meet him at the entry to the house.
He pushes inside and turns on lights as he walks into the kitchen.
The house is open-concept, with a gorgeous kitchen boasting an island the size of my condo and views that make my water-loving soul happy.
But before I can tell him how amazing his house is, he spins and kisses me, bracketing my face in his hands. Then, all I can think is: finally.
His mouth teases and takes as he pushes me against the island. I’m sure he’s going to bend me over it and fuck me into next week, but he suddenly pulls away and simply lifts me into his arms hero-style.
“I want you in my fucking bed,” he growls and stalks through the house as if I weigh nothing at all, past closed doors and up a flight of stairs.
Finally, he turns into what I assume is his bedroom, and I get a quick impression of modern furniture and clean lines before he gently lays me on the bed and stretches out over me, kissing me once more.
“So fucking beautiful,” he murmurs as his lips travel down my neck. “I’ve imagined you here, just like this, more times than I can count.”
He has? My God. I set the boundaries weeks ago, and all this time, I could have been experiencing this?
If I wasn’t so busy being thoroughly ravished, I’d be seriously pissed at myself.
“I’ll take my time later,” he says, reaching for the zipper on the side of my dress. “But I need you. I need to be inside you.”
“Yes.” Hell, I’m close to begging him at this point, so I help him get the dress over my head and tossed to the floor.
I reach behind me for my bra clasp, but he stills my hands.
“Bloody hell,” he whispers, taking me in. I’m in lacy, black underwear, and this time, I added garters with stockings. I can see it had the desired effect. “Just like this. Christ, you’re every shagging dream I’ve ever had.”