Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
“Oh, sometimes you are. Listen to me. I’m almost done with this job, and Derek hasn’t done or said anything to me that you need to worry about. I want to get to know him better, and that’s just what I’m going to do. If it fizzles out, then it does. No harm, no foul. But, Gray? I’m thirty. I’m not a teenager. Do you think I spent six months in Europe and never had sex even once?”
His scowl grows. “I don’t want to fucking know that.”
“Then stop acting like an overprotective brother.”
He sighs, pulls me to him, hugs me close, and kisses my head. “I can’t. I am an overprotective brother.”
That makes me smile, and I pull away from him. “You know, if it doesn’t fizzle, you have to apologize to Derek.”
“Fuck that.”
* * * *
I’ve never been so nervous about a date in my life.
I have one dress left from my shopping spree that Derek hasn’t seen yet. It’s black with a shape-hugging bodice and a flowy skirt. With my black Louboutins, I don’t think I can go wrong.
I twisted my hair up off my neck and decided to wear the diamond solitaire necklace my parents got me for my thirtieth birthday.
My lips are red, my eyes smoky, and I think I’m ready.
As ready as I’ll ever be.
The doorbell rings just as I finish putting a few essentials into a clutch. When I open the door, my breath hitches.
“Wow,” I breathe, taking him in. He’s in slacks, a green shirt, and a sport coat that fits him perfectly, showing off broad shoulders and muscular arms. “You—”
Suddenly, his hands are on my face, and his mouth is on mine, kissing me greedily, as if he’s starving for me.
I hear the clutch hit the floor as I cling to him, wanting so much more than this kiss.
But he stops, rests his forehead against mine, and takes a long, deep breath.
“We have reservations,” he whispers, his voice rough. “And then I’m taking you to my house for the weekend.”
“You are?”
He lifts an eyebrow, and I grin.
“Should I pack a bag?”
“Yes. Yes, you should.”
“I’ll be right back.”
I saunter away from him, knowing my ass looks great in this dress and heels, and hear him growl, “For fuck’s sake.”
That is damn satisfying.
It takes me about ten minutes to fill an overnight bag, fix my lipstick, and join him in the living room.
“Okay, I think I’m ready.”
“I like this condo,” he says, looking around.
“Thanks. My sister actually owns it. I’m leasing it from her.” Derek takes the overnighter from me, and we walk out of the condo and down to the elevator.
When it opens, Gray and Stella are inside.
“Well.” I glance nervously up at Derek and then at Gray, who immediately frowns. “Should we wait for the next one?”
“Hell, no,” Stella says, pulling me inside. “You’re hot with a capital H. Holy smokes, I love this dress on you. Hi, Derek.”
“Stella,” Derek replies with a half-smile that sends butterflies swarming in my belly. God, I love his smile. “Grayson.”
Gray grunts in reply, and Stella and I both roll our eyes.
“Are you going somewhere delicious?” Stella asks.
“Steak and seafood,” Derek replies. “What are you up to this evening?”
“Party at the cousins’ compound,” Stella replies. “Our parents own two properties side by side near Alki Beach, and some of my cousins live there. We call it the compound.”
“Is that where you were going to be tonight?” Derek asks, turning to me.
I nod as Gray says, “Should be tonight.”
“No way. Seafood and steak sounds like more fun to me,” Stella says with a wink as the doors open, and we all walk out into the garage. “Call me later. Love you.”
“I love you, too,” I reply as she hugs me, and then they’re off toward Stella’s sexy new Porsche, and Derek points to his Mercedes.
“We’re headed to Mercer Island,” he says as he puts the car in reverse and pulls out of the parking space. “I should have asked if you have any food allergies.”
“Nope. None. I’ve never been to Mercer Island.”
He glances my way before taking my hand and kissing my knuckles. All my insides turn to goo.
“I live there, so you’ll be spending all weekend there.”
I grin and look out the window, watching the city go by as he drives us onto the freeway.
It only takes about twenty minutes to get to the restaurant, and we’re shown to our table right away.
A woman walks over. “I’m Jessica, and I’ll be your server.” She smiles and hands us our menus. “Can I start you with anything to drink besides water?”
Derek orders a bottle of wine for the table, and we’re quiet as we read the menu, but it’s a comfortable silence.
I don’t feel awkward at all.
When I set my menu aside, Derek reaches for my hand and rubs his thumb over my knuckles. Suddenly, the man can’t stop touching me, and it’s doing things to my lady parts that will make this dinner feel like it drags.