Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“That happens a lot when you’re around.” I stood as Sloane returned from the ladies’ room and took her hand. “Dance with me anyway.”
She smiled. “Okay.”
The evening had been perfect. I’d taken her to my favorite restaurant, we’d shared a delicious meal, and now I pulled her into my arms and rested my cheek against hers as we swayed to live music. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look?”
“I think three times.”
I spun us around. “Must be true then.”
“Thank you for the dress. But I have my suitcase and could’ve worn the one I was going to wear to the wedding.”
I’d gone shopping after dropping her off this morning. This time, I didn’t even call Emily, my personal shopper. I went to the department store all by myself, though I did get some help from a saleswoman when it came to matching shoes. I wasn’t sure what the hell had come over me lately. Maybe I was losing my mind, but I wanted to do everything for Sloane—buy her things, drive her places, cook for her. Hell, when I’d shown up at her hotel room earlier this afternoon and she was still getting ready, I’d wanted to brush her hair for her. Normally I didn’t even want to make my own coffee, so it was completely out of character for me.
“I like doing things for you.”
She looked up into my eyes. “You really do, don’t you?”
I shrugged. “No fucking idea why. But I do. I can’t remember the last time I picked out my own underwear, yet I want to dress you from head to toe. Is that weird?”
She smiled. “Yes. But it’s also very sweet.”
“What did I tell you about thinking I’m sweet?”
“You know what I think?”
“What?”
“I think you are sweet, but you don’t want people to know it.”
“Oh yeah? Would you like me to tell you what I was thinking about when you were walking back from the ladies’ room?”
“What?”
I slid my hand to her delicate neck and stroked my thumb up and down the front. “The gurgling sound you’ll make when I stick my dick down your throat and don’t let you breathe.”
Sloane gasped. “Oh my God.”
I grinned. “Not so sweet then, eh?”
She moved her mouth to my ear. “I don’t know. I haven’t tasted it yet.”
I groaned. “Every single time I’ve danced with you, from that very first wedding, I’ve had a hard-on.”
“I know. Because you don’t leave room for Jesus.”
“I don’t know what it is about you, but there isn’t room for air between us.”
We danced from one song into the next, enjoying a moment of comfortable silence. I didn’t think I’d ever felt so content. But the lady in my arms must have been doing more than enjoying the moment. Sloane shifted to look at me. “Thank you for being persistent.”
“I don’t think I had a choice, sweetheart. I couldn’t get you out of my head.”
Her face turned serious. “You make me nervous, Wilder.”
“Right back at ya, sweetheart. There’s never been a time in my life when I wasn’t trying to get somewhere. When I started playing rugby, I wanted to play in college. When I got to college, I wanted to play in the pros. When I went pro, I wanted to be the best in the league. When I retired, I wanted to own a team. I’ve always been on the run, trying to get somewhere. But since I met you, the only place I want to be is where you are. It scares the crap out of me, and some days I’m not sure if I’ve lost my mind for feeling this way or if I’ve finally figured out the meaning of life.”
Sloane’s eyes welled up. “How are you even real?”
When the song ended, we sat. I wasn’t hungry, yet I ordered dessert because I didn’t want the night to end. But when the waiter brought the check, I couldn’t drag things out anymore. Panic washed over me as we walked to the valet.
“Will you stay with me tonight?” I asked. “You can stay in the guest room, if you want. I promise I won’t push you to do anything you don’t want to. I just don’t want tonight to end, and I want you there when I wake up in the morning.”
Sloane smiled. “I’d like that a lot.”
I hadn’t been nervous around girls since I was a teen. But when it was just me and Sloane in my apartment, I had no idea what to do with myself. I opened a bottle of wine and poured us each a glass while Sloane looked out the window at the nighttime view of London. I passed her a glass and stood just behind her, keeping a bit of distance.
“You’re awfully quiet.” Sloane sipped, looking over her shoulder at me.
“I don’t want to fuck anything up.”