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)
She reaches across the table. She’s painted her nails the same green shade as her dress. The effort she’s put into this date has me feeling so lucky that I’m the one who gets to be here with her.
Her hand rests on mine. “That could never happen, just so you know.”
The waiter brings our drinks, and I tell him we need a few minutes for the food order.
“How’s the tattoo feeling?” she asks, looking over the menu.
“It’s fine,” I tell her.
“I guess after you’ve been to war, a little tattoo can’t cause you any problems.”
“That’s one of the best things about my old job,” I reply, nodding. “It puts everything into perspective. There are downsides, obviously, like everything in life.”
That hangs between us, calling us back to the suffering conversation we had when my woman pried into my past, and I reacted in the worst possible way. We’re healing, moving on. Moving into the future.
“Things that might seem like disasters to other men seem small in comparison to me.”
Luna nods, looking at me closely, as if she can sense the depth of my emotion even when I keep my voice steady. She’s wearing a light layer of makeup, just enough to enhance her natural beauty without masking it.
“I guess that will come in handy when you have all those kids, huh?”
My grip tightens on the menu. I have to study the food items, so I don’t snap and tell her the truth. That thought returns to me. The ring, kneeling, professing it all. Would it send her running?
“Changing diapers won’t seem so scary after clearing buildings. It’s true,” I say.
She bites down in the cutest way. I don’t think she knows how beautiful she is, how every gesture ignites a fresh wave inside of me.
“How does it feel being on your first date after so long?” she asks.
“I wish this was my first date, too,” I tell her, without thinking.
She flinches, like my words are sending a jolt of electricity through her. “Really?”
“Really,” I say, since there’s no going back now. “I don’t even like talking about those other dates.”
“Why?” she asks.
“They were so awkward. I felt like I was forcing myself to do it because I thought it’s what I was supposed to do. With you, there’s no forcing anything. It feels natural.”
“I feel the same,” she whispers.
We’re skirting closer and closer to a revelation every time we talk, as if both of us want to proclaim this is forever. Just us, then our children, a life of duty and love, perfection, ups and downs, and all the things I never knew I wanted before I met my woman.
“It’s easier, too,” she goes on, averting her gaze. “Since you’re wearing clothes this time…”
I laugh gruffly. “Yeah, and this table being here helps. Otherwise, I’d lose control. You really look beautiful, Luna. And hot. And captivating. Perfect.”
Her smile twitches in the cutest way, as though part of her doesn’t trust the compliment. That just gives me the motivation to pay her more and more compliments as we live our lives together. Bolster her every single day.
“What are you going to order?” she asks.
“Something meaty,” I say.
She laughs. “Talk about specific.”
“I’m a simple man.” I smirk. “Something meaty is enough for me. What about you?”
“I’m not sure,” she murmurs.
I sense some hesitation in her voice.
“I guess you don’t want to sit opposite somebody scarfing big spoons of spaghetti.”
“I don’t care if you get sauce all over that pretty dress. It won’t change how I feel about you. Order whatever you like.”
“Okay then,” she says, “but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
CHAPTER
TWENTY
Luna
When Kayden first walked into the tattoo studio, I never could’ve dreamed we’d be at a restaurant this fancy, bantering across the table. The chandelier glitters down at us, causing a glittering cascade inside of me, my chest expanding with the warmth of every single moment.
He cuts into his steak. Even that slight movement causes his arms to tense through his shirt. He’s wearing a pale blue dress shirt, the top button undone, showing me a tempting slice of his chest. His silver hair catches the chandelier lights. Even the silverware sparkles.
Despite my joke about splattering my dress with pasta sauce, I’m careful as I eat.
“I’m glad you and Dad get on,” I say.
Kayden looks across at me, the corner of his lip twitching. Before this date, I might’ve thought he was secretly mocking me, but it feels like something’s changed since we reconnected, since we talked about kids and family.
“Me too,” he replies. “I wish I’d introduced myself before I went full savage on you, but I can’t turn back time.”
“Full savage… I like that. It describes you perfectly.”
He stares at me for long moments, as if the rest of the world has stopped and he’s looking at the only thing that matters. I know those sorts of thoughts are probably too fast, but I can’t help it, not when his eyes are flooded with so much intensity.