Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
“You’d really do that for me?”
And so much more.
I nod.
“A new dress might be nice. Maybe something sexy underneath for after.” There it is again. Her red cheeks from saying the tamest thing, but thinking it’s overtly sexual.
“How about you shop online for what you’d like me to get? You can surprise me. All I’ll do is pick it up.” I kick my feet off the side of the bed and shuffle through last night’s pants for my wallet. “Get whatever you need while you’re at it.”
I grab my card out of its holder and give it to her.
“You’re serious?” She stares at the plastic rectangle in her hands.
“What’s mine is yours, little Gem.” I give her a kiss on the cheek.
10
GEMMA
Our arrival at the Southern Sea Restaurant goes exactly as I pictured it would.
His hand on the small of my back while we walk. A warning to the world that I belong to him. That they shouldn’t dare look unless they want to face the consequences of his wrath.
But it’s not much cause for concern when all eyes are on him anyway. With his long, dominant strides, like he owns the place. His tense, flexed frame testing the limits of his navy-blue suit. Or best of all, the menacing, stern look on his face without the mask on.
Our waiter sets us up at a table, but it’s Ghost who pulls my chair out. Under Ghost’s order, we have a great view of the restaurant. A string in the corner playing modern tracks in an old-fashioned style. The bar in the distance is packed to the brim with people trying to order, but most importantly, a view of the people.
It was his one condition about tonight happening at all. He has to see all, so he can keep me safe.
“Unfettered access to my credit card and all you got was a dress, sweat pants, and three sets of lingerie,” Ghost teases after we’ve ordered our drinks and food.
But I can see something’s eating away at him. That even being in a place as luxurious as this, he senses danger. He expects it. Guess it makes sense. He’s been tense since we left the safe house.
“I’m a girl of simple tastes,” I chuckle awkwardly. Coming from little keeps my wants the same. Nothing fancy or over the top. Needs over wants.
Not that this dress or the matching lingerie beneath it is anything less than extravagant. Considering it’s our first date, I opted for a cocktail dress. Sleek and elegant in design, tight around the hips, and a deep V in the front to expose as much cleavage as possible. A treat for his eyes until we get back to the privacy of his bedroom.
“Then I’ve got bad news for you, baby girl. There’s nothing simple about me.” He’s trying to loosen the stern look gripping his face. Trying to smile. But it won’t budge. His eyes continue wandering. Hunting. As if whoever’s causing this nightmare could jump out of the shadows at any moment.
Well, if he’s not going to lighten up for our date by himself, I’ve got just the thing.
“Is that so?” I slip a hand under the table and rest it on his knee. “No little pleasures?” I walk my fingers up his inner thigh. “Or simple wants?”
Maybe this wasn’t the right idea. Instead of getting comfortable, his muscles flex against my fingers. But the whole way up, his pants start to tighten and tent.
He steeples his fingers in front of his face as if to hide it. Probably feeling naked without his mask.
“You’re playing with fire, baby,” he mutters under his breath. “Don’t think a room full of people can stop me from taking you.”
Never mind. He’s not trying to hide his face. He’s trying to hide the widening smile.
“Who says I want them to?” Butterflies explode in my belly, making me squirm as I get close enough to brush his throbbing manhood with my knuckles.
Ghost chokes on a breath. A shiver rolling down his thighs.
I’ve got him right where I want him.
Before I get a chance to take it one step further, two waiters stop at our table. I yank my hand away, face burning at the thought of them noticing, and Ghost groans in disapproval.
The waiters drop off our drinks, place our food in front of us, and shuffle off. Yeah, they definitely know something was going on. I’ve never seen two guys more uncomfortable in my life.
“This looks amazing.” I’m drooling at the mountain of prawns waiting in front of me.
“Not as good as you,” Ghost says, and it snaps me away from the food.
“You’ve gotta be careful with talk like that, mister,” I scold him playfully. “You’re going to have me redder than that tomato.” I gesture with my eyes toward the side salad.
“Have you?” He grabs his drink, a whiskey-something, and takes a sip. “You already are, baby girl. Now go on, eat up. You need your strength for later.”