Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 80969 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80969 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
But, tonight, it’s just River and me.
On a date.
I haven’t been on a date in a very long time. I kind of feel out of my depth. But then I remind myself that it’s just River. There are no expectations with him. Only happiness. And excitement for what tonight is going to bring and all the possibilities open to us.
River parks the truck on the street and turns off the engine. “Stay put,” he tells me.
I watch him climb out, round the hood of the truck, and then open my door.
He’s going old school.
It makes me smile.
“Why, thank you, kind sir,” I say with a faux Southern accent when he takes my hand and helps me down from his truck.
He doesn’t smile. Or speak. And he doesn’t let go of my hand.
He takes our linked hands beneath my back, bringing me closer to him, until our fronts are pressed up together.
My breasts are crushed up against his chest.
Bonus of breast-feeding: big boobs.
I can also feel the definite outline of his length beneath his dress pants. Did I mention he’s wearing dress pants and a shirt? He’s all smartened up, and he looks divine.
I blink up at him, feeling breathless.
“Did I tell you that you look fucking gorgeous in that dress?” he says in a low, raspy voice.
“Oh, this old thing?” I tease.
It’s actually not old. It’s brand-new. I went out shopping straight after I finished work at the diner and picked out a new dress and heels to wear tonight. It’s not often I get asked out on a date. Especially not by the hottest man in town.
The dress is black lace with a floaty skirt that sits an inch or so above my knees. It’s classy with an edge of sexy. The heels are red and strappy with a matching clutch. My hair is down and curled into soft waves down my back. I even have makeup on. It’s light, but it’s there.
“And, yes, you did tell me. Only a couple of hundred times.” I laugh softly, teasingly.
River has made it very clear that he likes the way I look tonight.
He sweeps my hair back over my shoulder and presses a kiss to my neck, making me shiver. “Clearly not enough,” he whispers into my ear.
A kiss to my cheek. The corner of my mouth. Then … his lips finally meet mine and kiss me.
My toes curl, my breasts tingle, and my body hums.
“Isn’t that supposed to come at the end of the date?” I say, breathless, when we break apart.
Dark, lusty eyes gleam down at me. “No. That was just the starter.”
River leads me over to the restaurant, my hand still held by his. He walks at a steady pace because I’m a little out of practice when it comes to walking in heels.
“The restaurant building is a century-old converted post office,” River tells me.
He releases my hand and places it on the small of my back as we walk up the handful of steps to the entrance.
River holds the door for me while I walk inside.
The maître d’ approaches. River gives him our reservation name. Wild, of course. He asks if we would like a drink at the bar first. River looks to me.
“I don’t mind,” I say.
“We’ll go straight to our table,” River tells him.
He leads us over to our table, which is by the window that overlooks a courtyard.
“Is this table okay for you both?” the maître d’ asks, pulling my chair out.
“It’s perfect,” I tell him, sitting.
I put my clutch on the table. River sits opposite me.
“Your waiter will be over soon with your menus and to take your drink order,” he tells us before departing.
“This place is so nice,” I tell River, reaching over to touch his hand that rests on the table.
He smiles, turning his hand over, linking his fingers with mine. “I’m glad you like it.”
“Do you think Hope is okay?”
His eyes crinkle at the corners. “She’s fine. But you can check with Sadie if you want.”
“Maybe I’ll just text her.”
I get my cell from my clutch and type out a quick text to Sadie.
She responds straightaway.
I smile, reading the text to River. “Hope’s having a bottle. Buddy’s passed out cold. And Sadie is eating the cupcakes that I left in the kitchen for her. Oh, and Frozen is almost finished. They’re watching Moana next.” I put my cell back in my clutch.
“Sounds like Sadie’s having fun.” River chuckles.
“You know, I think she is. She adores Hope.”
“Of course she does. Hope’s awesome. Like her mom.”
“True.” I grin.
The waiter comes over with our food menus and takes our drink order. River orders a Bud Light because he’s driving. I order a glass of wine, which will most likely last me the whole night. I’ve never been a big drinker. Neil wouldn’t allow me to—