Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 60268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Baker asked.
“Let’s do it. I love my woman, Baker, and this is the shit I didn’t give her. How is my prom tux coming?”
“It should be ready for Friday. Lacey and Whizz get Sally on Saturday.”
“Fine. Is Millie coming to the prom?” Hardy asked.
“I’ve asked her to go, and she thinks I’ve invited her as a friend.”
“You’ve got to let her know you’re wanting more, as otherwise she’s going to slip through your fingers. The last thing you need is to be put in the friend category.”
He stripped down to his boxers, taking a deep breath. Hardy didn’t wear suits. The Skulls was his life, and he’d never worn a suit during the whole of his life.
“Can you handle this?”
Looking toward the mantle over the fireplace where once his wedding photo sat that was now empty, he nodded. He was more than ready. Rose changed for him, and the least he could do was give her the same kind of commitment.
Ten minutes later he was dressed, and he ran a hand down the front of his suit jacket. “Well, how do I look?” he asked.
“Handsome,” Rose said.
He turned to the door and growled. She wore the black dress he’d bought for her. The fabric molded to every curve of her body, and it only heightened his arousal. He wanted to see her in the prom dress he’d bought her.
“You’re beautiful,” he said.
“I didn’t know you were dressing up.” She twirled a red curl around her finger, showing him how nervous she was.
“I’m taking my woman out to dinner. I’ve got to make an effort.” He turned to Baker. “We’ll be back later.”
“Have fun. I’m going to stick around, watch a movie.”
“Are you inviting Millie over?” Rose asked.
“I hadn’t thought about it.”
“Do. She’d probably love the company.”
“Don’t do anything on the couch. It costs a fucking fortune to clean,” Hardy said.
Rose slapped him on the arm, rolling her eyes at him. “Ignore him.”
“Have a good night.”
Hardy took her hand, helping her into his car. The suit was fucking annoying, and itchy as fuck. There was nothing actually wrong with the suit. He just wasn’t used to being trapped.
This he hoped was the first night of many.
****
Rose stared across the table at her husband, and she couldn’t take her eyes off him. He filled out a tux to perfection. Several women were giving him the eye, and Rose loved it. Hardy was all hers, and no other woman would ever get the chance to claim him.
“I like that evil glint in your eye,” he said, looking over his menu at her.
“Just admiring the view before me.” She smiled at him looking over the choices in front of her.
The waiter had already served her with some sparkling water, and Hardy had taken the same. He wasn’t drinking and leaving her to drive.
“Do you know what you want?” he asked.
You.
She kept that thought to herself. “No, not yet.”
“I’m going to have the steak.”
“Does it have steak?” she asked, staring down at the menu again. Rose couldn’t take it all in. There was so much going on making the whole meal surreal.
“They have something with beef. I’ll just ask for that.”
Rose giggled and closed the menu. “I’ll ask for the chef’s special.” She gave Hardy a wink.
Over ten years of not going out to dinner in a fancy place had her out of practice. She was used to being satisfied with only a burger or at the best a parmesan chicken.
Most of the time the women cooked for themselves, and she’d eaten more luxurious meals with Angel and the girls.
“How are you feeling?” she asked.
He ran his hand down his chest, and she chuckled. “What?”
“Is it uncomfortable?” She had to admire and love his effort. This was all for her. There was no doubt that he was trying.
“A little. It’s something I’m going to get used to.” He cleared his throat. “I’ll get used to it.”
“I really appreciate you doing this.” She glanced around the restaurant, and her heart soared. “I’ve never been to this place before.”
“I’m glad I’m able to give you a happy memory.” He took her hand, pressing a kiss to her knuckles.
The waiter came toward their table, and she listened as Hardy stumbled over his order. She didn’t giggle or mock him. When the waiter turned his attention to her, Rose gave her order, smiling her thanks.
“It’s certainly different from ordering a burger,” he said.
“It is.”
“So, when is your next doctor’s appointment?”
Rose tilted her head to the side. “You want to come?”
“Yes. I want to be part of this. We did this together, and I’m not going to leave you alone.”
She pressed a hand to her stomach. “My first scan is in a couple of weeks. I don’t think we’ll get to see the sex of our baby, but we’ll see that he or she exists.”