Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
“Remember this, Little girl, when I take my revenge and keep you on the edge for longer than you wish,” he told her softly as he placed a bite of chicken on her cinnamon pancake. “Try that combination. Sample everything that delights you.”
Was he saying what she thought he was? Internally, Amber nodded to herself. Nothing would be off limits with Rio. Things she’d never been brave enough to ask for.
Rio nodded and urged, “Try it, Ella. Tell me if you like it.”
Amber stabbed the chicken and pancake combination and dabbed it into the syrup. Putting it in her mouth, she chewed. It was good, but not the same.
“Sometimes, an original combination is perfect and can’t be improved.”
She studied his face. There was no mistaking that his words had more than one meaning. He wasn’t just talking about chicken and waffles.
Deciding just to ask rather than wonder, she asked, “Do you think we were perfect?”
“Not then. You needed to experience the world, and I wasn’t the man I needed to be. Now, I hope we’re as close to perfect for each other as possible.”
“So… What does that mean? You want to date? Go to breakfast? Screw around?”
“When we’re intimate, it will be because we’re ready to make a commitment to each other. You tell me when you’re ready to explore all that we can be. Until then, we date and spend time together.” He held another bite of chicken and waffle to her lips.
Allowing him to feed her, Amber considered all he summed up tidily. She chewed slowly before swallowing. “Are you going to disappear again?”
“I’ve put down roots here and hope you will, too.”
She wasn’t going to allow him to skirt the question. Amber needed to hear him answer clearly and directly. “What does that mean? I need for you to tell me whether you’ll leave. I don’t want to risk my heart if you decide you need to disappear for my own good.”
“The last time I left tore me apart, Ella. All my efforts to do the right thing were decimated by that one decision. I plan to be selfish now and keep you for myself.”
Studying his face once again, she nodded. Amber had seen Rio evade many pursuing women by tweaking the truth. His excuses were never complete lies, but not entirely accurate, either. She knew how to read his expressions—or she did twenty years ago.
“Okay. I’ll trust you.”
“Thank you, Amber.”
They ate in silence for a few minutes before Amber noticed a group of ladies a few tables away holding an animated conversation. From time to time, they would turn to look at Rio and then lean in together to whisper furiously.
“I think more people than me are glad you returned to town,” she commented wryly.
Rio followed her line of vision and nodded at the group, who called their good mornings. His attention refocused on Amber. “What shall we do today? You have a reunion dinner and dance tonight,” he recalled.
“I do. I don’t suppose you could go with me?”
“Thank you. I’d love to be your escort,” Rio accepted instantly.
“Can you be gone from the bar?”
“The bar is my investment. There are many competent bartenders who are pleased to have the hours and the tips. My priority is always going to be you.”
“You didn’t have to be there last night?” she asked.
“Not to work. I did need to be there to see if the spark that linked us together still glowed brightly.”
“You were a much bigger surprise than Colt showing up, acting like he was Harper’s date. I need to call her today to find out what’s going on.”
“Why not sit back and watch what happens? Harper was always one of my favorites of your friends. I’d like to see her live her happiest life.”
“Do you think that would be with Colt?”
“Why not?”
“They seem to be so different from each other now. Colt is famous everywhere and Harper is happiest with the children she tends,” Amber pointed out.
“Is she?” Rio asked simply, making Amber sit up straighter as she considered his implication. Could Harper be happier?
CHAPTER 9
Rio had given her a look that stopped her offer to pay half in its tracks. He quickly settled the bill with cash and what looked like a generous tip before sliding out of the booth and holding out a hand to assist her.
Several people greeted them individually and welcomed her or Rio back to town. She knew the gossip mongers were going to have a heyday talking about them.
“So, how many people in there think we just slept together?” Amber asked with a shake of her head.
Rio looked at her and laughed. “If only their fantasies were true. There are those that live vicariously through others.”
“You don’t?”
“I don’t. I like people but that’s where it ends. Their lives are theirs to enjoy or not. I plan to make the most of mine now. Do you have any plans for the day?”