Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
“Hi,” she says, picking up on the third ring.
“Hi. How are you?” I ask.
“Tired but good. You?”
“Same. I spent the day at the club. I’m ready to call it a night.” I pull out of the parking lot and onto the road.
Silence descends, and I know it’s up to me to pick up the slack. “How’s your work going?” I ask.
She expels a long sigh. “It’s … challenging, but I’m getting there.”
“Good.” More silence. She still sounds somewhat down compared to when we were together earlier but if I’m going to ask, now’s the time. “What do you think about rescheduling dinner?”
“I’d love to!” she answers quickly and my pulse, which had felt dull all day, picks up a healthy rhythm. Whatever she had to do today and tonight, it had nothing to do with me.
“What night works for you?”
“Honestly, I’m free from now on. I’m sorry about having to cancel. It couldn’t be helped. Call it an emergency of sorts. How’s tomorrow night?” she asks.
I flip my signal and ease onto A1A, which runs parallel to the beach. “Tomorrow night works. I’ll pick you up at seven. Or would you rather go earlier?”
She laughs and the light tinkling sound warms me. “Can we go at six? I’m exhausted lately.”
I chuckle along with her. “Sure. Six it is. It’s casual,” I say, assuming she’d like to know how to dress.
I plan to take her for dinner and bring her back to my house for coffee. Make that decaffeinated tea. When I hang up with Taylor, I’ll message my housekeeper to pick up what I need from the store and the best bakery near me.
“Sounds perfect.” She pauses, then says, “I’m looking forward to seeing you again. Really.”
She’s still trying to apologize for canceling and the awkwardness that followed, but I’ve let it go. “Me too,” I assure her. “See you then.”
“Bye,” she says in a soft voice that goes straight to my dick.
Dinner out, then dessert at my place with no expectations. But that won’t stop me from hoping for more kisses like the ones we shared in Charleston. Beyond that? I guess we’ll see.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Taylor
I’ve been looking forward to going out with Jack all day and when he picks me up from the lobby of the hotel, all the tension from yesterday is gone. I’m going to enjoy a virgin pina colada, a delicious dinner, and Jack’s company.
He greets me with a smile and pulls me in for a hug, which makes me feel good and relieves any anxiety I’d had over seeing him again. I breathe him in and bask in his masculine scent, arousal flooding my veins.
Releasing me, he steps back, giving me the chance to take him in. I love looking at casual Jack. I take the time to admire him in a pair of dark jeans and an island-patterned short-sleeve collared shirt in a variety of blues that bring out the color of his eyes.
“You look good,” I tell him, leaving out the fact that I want to grab his hand and drag him up to my room.
“Thank you.” He smiles and I’m drawn to his tempting mouth.
“You’re stunning,” he says, and I realize he’s eyeing me the same way I’m looking at him.
“Thank you,” I tell him, blushing and not caring a bit. “I spent the day shopping for clothes for this sweltering, humid weather.”
For tonight, I found a pretty pink cotton poplin dress, shirred from the waist down, in a boutique earlier today. I paired it with an LV handbag with the monogram in pastel colors and white chunky-heeled sandals. I love clothes and this purse especially, which is why I packed it.
His gaze skims from my face down to my white-sandaled feet. “Like I said, stunning.”
I touch my warm cheeks, then explain further. “I’m also having pregnancy issues. The waistband of my own clothes feel tight.”
He crinkles his eyes in confusion. “I wouldn’t think you need larger clothing yet.”
“Me neither. But I did a deep dive on the internet and learned that some women lose their waistline quickly and apparently, I’m one of them.” I gesture to my flat stomach, but I know my waist is gone.
“I’m guessing I have a lot to learn about pregnancy and babies,” he says.
I laugh. “You and me both.”
Reaching out, he slips his hand into mine. “Do you mind if we walk to the restaurant? It’s close by.”
“Sounds good.” I nod and lecture myself about ogling my date.
Hand in hand, we stroll to the restaurant, making small talk and weaving around people walking in the opposite direction. Once we get to our destination, Jack pauses outside the window that is brightly decorated in reds, greens, and yellows and gives off a welcoming vibe.
“Do you want to check out the menu first? Just in case?” he asks.
I shake my head. “I’ve been looking forward to this dinner all day.”