Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 45284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
“Don’t worry. Tomorrow will be more special because we have to wait.”
His voice hitches, as if catching on the romance. As if part of him still wants to hold back, but when he clutches me tighter, I know he means it. There’s something real here.
Maybe not the whole let’s get married and have kids right away deal I’m dreaming about, but something more than casual.
CHAPTER
NINETEEN
Kayden
“Hello, sir,” I say, when Vincent opens the door to greet me.
He looks me up and down with a slight smile, seeming happy that I’ve dressed up to take his daughter on a date.
It’s not often I wear a dress shirt, trousers, shoes, the whole deal, but this is a special occasion.
“Hello, Kayden,” he says.
Buckie scrambles past Vincent’s feet, his tongue sticking out and his tail wagging so enthusiastically it causes his whole butt to wiggle. I kneel and stretch my hands out, greeting him by smoothing my hands over his ears. He turns at my touch, enjoying the contact.
“I’ll tell Luna you’re here,” Vincent says, walking into the house.
“Thank you.” I rub Buckie’s belly when he flops onto his back, grinning up at me. “Hello, boy. Don’t worry. I haven’t forgotten about you. Just had some trouble keeping my head straight, but I feel clear now.”
That’s a half truth. I feel clear in my need for Luna, clear that I want—need—to spend the rest of my life with her, but I haven’t told her yet.
An idea occurred to me last night. Completely insane, but it’s taken root. It involves a ring, me kneeling, staring up at my woman, and telling her all the things nestled deep in my soldier’s soul.
“Oh, wow, you look great,” Luna says, appearing in the doorway.
I stand, taking in the sight of her. She’s wearing a form-hugging dress that highlights her curves, a dark shade of green with a slight twinkle to it. Her hair is in curls to her shoulders, and her gorgeous legs are wrapped in tights that make me want to unwrap them. It takes a lot of effort not to rush to her, crush her in a kiss, but Vincent walks by and scoops Buckie up, bringing out the gentleman in me.
“You look beautiful, Luna,” I say sincerely. I nod to Vincent. “Thank you for lending her to me, sir.”
Buckie gives Vincent a big lick on the cheek, as if approving of my words.
“Have fun,” Vincent says. “Both of you.”
I offer Luna my arm. She takes it, grinning up at me as we walk down the pathway toward my car.
“This is my first ever proper date,” she says. “Does that freak you out?”
“It feels more like a privilege,” I tell her. “An honor.”
She hugs closer to me as we walk to the car’s passenger side door. “You’re so romantic, Kayden. I don’t know if you realize that.”
“I’ve never been accused of that before,” I say, chuckling.
I open the door for her, waving her inside. Once I’m in the driver’s seat, I lean over and kiss her tenderly, gently, because it’s impossible to be in the same space as my woman without indulging in the taste of her, without breathing in her captivating scent.
She grips onto my arm with both her hands, breathing in the kiss, then leans back, her cheeks flushed and tempting me with carnal thoughts. Somehow, I manage to start the car and put my hands on the wheel.
“Where are we going?” she asks.
“I booked us a table at a restaurant. An Italian place… I hope you like Italian?”
“Absolutely.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. This date matters a lot… because it could lead to a lot.
The secret life I’m entertaining… the one we talked about when we had our children discussion, even if she didn’t know it.
***
Luna gazes around the restaurant as the host leads us to our table.
It’s got a large domed ceiling, a chandelier hanging, with a fresco painting depicting a nature scene, all interwoven nature, vines and flowers and life, as if hinting at the life we’re going to share.
“This is amazing,” she whispers, once the host has left us.
I pull her chair out. “You deserve it.”
She sits down, laughing as I shuffle her chair in.
I grin as I sit opposite her. “What’s funny?”
“It’s just… I can’t believe I’m here, on an actual date.”
“Get used to it,” I tell her.
The waiter arrives, taking our drink orders. All around us, couples sit at the tables, music playing softly as the chatter rises above it, the clink of glasses and cutlery.
“Are you sure you don’t want something stronger?” she asks, when I order a soda, the same as her.
“I’m drunk on you,” I say, winking.
She giggles. “Okay, that’s probably the cheesiest thing anybody has ever said to me, but I’m not complaining.”
“My goal is to be so incredibly cheesy, you never want anything to do with me.”