Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 105697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Turning in my arms, she slips her arms around my neck and leans back to catch my eyes. “When will I get to see you in action?”
I grab her by the waist, tossing her over my shoulder under squeals of laughter, and start back toward the bedroom. “Now’s a good time.”
“Daniel!” She flails in laughter, arching her back with her impressive ab control. Collapsing over me, she smacks my ass as hard as she can by the energy she puts into it. “Romance.” She cracks up, unable to hold a straight face, and sends her laughter bouncing off the walls.
Spinning her down to her feet, I slide my hand around the side of her neck, holding her hip with the other. “You want romance?”
“What girl doesn’t want romance?” Her lids are heavier, her blinks slower as she melts in my arms.
“I can give you romance.” I kiss her because she deserves a good start to this night, and she deserves to be appreciated after the silliness of before.
Her hands slide over my shoulders, bringing me closer to her. When I pull back even a millimeter, she says, “I’m suddenly wishing we didn’t have plans.”
“I can cancel.”
A soft laugh and matching smile have her holding on as she leans back farther in my arms to look at me. “We only get one shot at this, remember?”
I’m not sure if I find it sexy that she’s quoting me or impressed that she used it against me. Both. I nod. “I remember. We’ll pick up where we’re leaving off later?”
“Something to look forward to.”
Leading her into the bedroom, I catch the time. Traffic was worse than expected, pushing us to arrive at the event sooner rather than kicking back and chilling together. “Do you have a dress?” I ask. “Like a dressy one?”
I’m not sure if that’s horror I see in her eyes, but she rapidly blinks before her gaze shoots out the window and ricochets back to me. “I have a dress. I packed two. How dressy?”
I pull my phone from my pocket and find the invitation. Showing it to her, I say, “Medium?”
Her eyes flick from the phone, then she grabs it from me to read for herself. Flashing the screen in my direction, she says, “I don’t have anything that would work for this attire.” Her arm flails out. “Do you have a tuxedo lying around?”
“Not lying but hanging in my closet.”
Shaking her head, she says, “Of course, you do.” A heavy sigh leaves her chest weighted down. “Why would you not tell me? My sisters had options. I have nothing in my suitcase that works for formal attire.”
“You don’t need to worry. Let me make a call.”
“It’s that easy, huh?” She sits on the bed and flops backward, a moan of ecstasy escaping her. Rubbing her arms over the blanket, she says, “How is it possible to have this perfect mix of soft and firm in one mattress?”
“It heats too, which is great for my muscles and recovery after a game or getting home from traveling.” I scroll to favorites in my phone and call the building’s concierge. “Ray, it’s Daniel Sutton.”
“Good evening, sir. How are you?” He’s always chipper, which I appreciate.
“Good. Good. How are you?” I return to the living room to finish the call. Money isn’t something I want piling up between us. Beside us is a different story . . .
“I’m doing fine this evening. How may I help you?”
I walk to the kitchen and back, keeping a steady pace. “My date and I have a last-minute event tonight. She needs a dress that fits for formal attire. Any suggestions?”
“Let me make some calls,” he replies without hesitation. “I’ll ring you right back.”
“Thank you.” I hang up and return to the bedroom, where I find Summer sitting cross-legged in the middle of the mattress, staring out the picture window. “Hey there.”
She looks over with a smile blooming as soon as she sees me. “I’d never turn on the TV if I lived here. There’s so much to see.” She climbs off the bed. “Do you sleep with the shades open?”
“No. I don’t want to get up with the sun,” I reply but realize she never closes the blinds on the small window in her room. And it hasn’t bothered me at all. I’ve pulled her back into my arms at daybreak when I found her awake. “We can leave them open if you want.”
“I’d like that.” She slips off the bed and comes to me. Fisting my shirt, she lifts on her toes and asks, “So what are we doing about the attire?”
My phone rings. Holding it up, I reply, “We’re about to find out. Hello?”
“It’s Ray, Mr. Sutton. I have great news. I’ve organized a car to take your date to A La Maison in Soho. They’ll have makeup and hair ready to receive her as well. How much time will she need before she leaves?” I look at her, wondering if this is more than she’d want. Covering the phone, I ask, “There’s a shop that has dresses. They’ll do makeup and hair unless you prefer to do it yourself.”