Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
A small groan escaped her throat, even while she tried to maintain her composure by raising a brow at me. “You’ve very presumptuous, Mr. Kane.”
“No, not presumptuous at all,” I said, lifting my gaze from those tempting lips. “Just very confident, and now, for the rest of the night, you’re going to think of all those things, too.”
“You’re not playing fair at all,” she whispered, but it wasn’t a complaint.
“It’s been a long, excruciating week and a half since I had the pleasure of fucking you. A week and a half of fantasizing all the dirty, filthy things I want to do to you, and tonight, I plan to indulge. Unless…you’d rather not?”
She gave her head a quick shake, as if she didn’t want to give me the chance to change my mind. “I didn’t say that.”
I chuckled, the sound a little devious. “Didn’t think so.”
The elevator dinged its arrival, and as the doors slid open I placed a soft, chaste kiss on her cheek so I didn’t mess up that sexy-as-sin lipstick. I took her hand in mine and walked with her through the lobby, not missing the glances a few men cast her way that made me feel territorial as hell.
Stevie seemed oblivious to those stares. She honestly had no idea how appealing she was. How sexy but also unassuming and sweet, with a just enough tenacity to keep things interesting. It was a combination I found irresistible.
My driver, Dylan, was already parked and waiting in the valet area for us, and since we weren’t alone I behaved and kept our conversation casual on the way to the restaurant. I caught up on how her campaign was going at Dare PR that she seemed so excited about, we discussed her latest macroeconomics test which she’d passed, and Stevie filled me in on Valerie’s first few days at the firm and how much her sister was enjoying her new job.
We arrived at Mastro’s Steakhouse the same time that Beck and his wife, Chloe, did, and a few minutes later Gerard and Hazel joined us. Introductions were made for the women, then the hostess led us through an upscale dining area to a private room I’d had my assistant reserve for the six of us so we’d have a much quieter and more intimate experience.
Wine was ordered and poured while we perused the menu, and once everyone’s orders were taken, general conversation ensued. Since most of the day had been spent focused on business with Gerard, the men gravitated toward discussing more personal interests, like sports and current events.
Chloe and Stevie hit it off immediately, which didn’t surprise me at all. As soon as Chloe learned that Stevie worked at The Back Door, they realized they had acquaintances in common since Chloe was a Kingston, and her sister, Aurora, was married to a Dare…which connected them to Zach Dare, who was half owner of The Back Door.
“Wait a second,” Stevie said, her eyes lighting up as realization struck. “You’re a Kingston, as in related to Dash Kingston, the rock star?”
Chloe nodded, smiling as she took a sip of her wine. “Yes, that’s my brother.”
“I have to confess, I might have had a slight fangirl moment when I first heard his music,” Stevie said, then laughed. “Okay, who am I kidding? I still do.”
As the two continued to chat, drawing Hazel into their conversation, I listened in on Gerard and Beck’s debate about golf, which was my least favorite sport, so I didn’t have much to contribute.
Our meals arrived, and surprisingly, the next few hours passed quickly. After dessert we all parted ways, and when Stevie and I were seated in the back of my SUV and heading home while Dylan drove, I glanced over at her, seeing how quiet and thoughtful she looked.
“Did you have a nice evening?” I asked, placing my hand on her knee.
She turned her head and smiled at me. “I did. It was quite different than I thought it would be.”
I raised a brow, curious to know what she meant. “How so?”
She bit her bottom lip for a few seconds, then her eyes met mine, clear and direct, but I didn’t miss the touch of hesitation there. “You want honesty?”
I nodded. “Always. Good or bad, I appreciate the truth, and there’s nothing you could ever say that would offend me.”
There was a slight pause before she exhaled, almost like she was deciding how much to reveal. “I was nervous going into this dinner, and self-conscious,” she admitted, which I’d already suspected. “I mean, being in that kind of upscale restaurant was intimidating enough, let alone meeting women I didn’t know and having no idea if we’d connect, especially with Chloe because I’m clearly not a part of this world you live in.”
I sensed there was more and gave her a little prompt. “But?”