Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 88463 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88463 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
“I have to get ready too.”
I roll my eyes and start stripping out of the Blizzard sweatshirt and jeans that I wore to the rink earlier. “It takes you twenty minutes to get ready.”
He’s watching me intently, those dark eyes molten as they journey down my body.
“I don’t have time to give you a show, Ry.”
He doesn’t walk away, and I can’t help but roll my eyes as I step out of my jeans and then saunter into the bathroom so I can get the shower started.
“Need help in there?” he asks.
“No. Seriously, I don’t have time to waste here.”
“Being inside you is never a waste, sweetheart.”
Jesus, the things he says should be inside naughty greeting cards.
Exactly fifty-eight minutes later, I finish zipping up the back of the dress and turn to look in the mirror.
I still don’t know what kind of sorcery this man had to work, but the dress and shoes fit perfectly.
The dress is off the shoulder and form fitting through the bodice, with a loose skirt that hits me right at the knee. Add in the heels, and the pop of red on my lips, and I’m feeling damn pleased with myself.
With the black clutch that he also got me in my hands, I stride out of the bedroom and find Aiden, Mac, and Ryker standing in the kitchen, talking.
“Whoa,” Aiden says when he sees me.
Mac grins.
Ryker turns around, and his jaw fucking drops.
Mission accomplished.
He’s so damn handsome in an all-black suit, with a black shirt and tie, with his hair styled. He looks like he belongs on the cover of a freaking magazine.
“I guess we’re staying home,” he says as he walks toward me.
“Why?”
His hands slide around my waist and down to my ass.
“Because men are going to be checking out what’s mine all goddamn night, and I’ll get arrested for homicide.”
“Easy, killer.” I run my hand down his tie and breathe him in. He smells amazing. “You’re so handsome, Ry.”
“They’re gross,” I hear Aiden say to Mac, and I chuckle.
“You’re still taking me out, because I buffed and polished myself within an inch of my life, within the allotted time frame, and now I’m excited to go.”
“It was worth every minute, but there’s something missing.”
“Did I forget mascara again?”
Ry laughs and shakes his head.
“What is it?”
He kisses my forehead and pulls something out of his pocket, and my breath catches.
It’s a blue box. The kind that comes with a white bow and has Tiffany written on the top.
“Ry, you don’t have to buy me things.”
“I like buying you things.” He nudges the box toward me. “Open it, Trouble.”
I tug on the bow and then open the box and feel my heart pound at the sight of the gorgeous diamond earrings tucked inside.
“Okay, these are too beautiful to pass up. I’m keeping them.”
He chuckles and takes one out of the box so he can affix it to my ear. “They’re perfect for you.”
They’re pear-shaped diamonds, easily a couple of carats each, and as he fastens the second earring, I can’t help but think that they’d be perfect for anyone.
“Thank you.”
He kisses me, careful not to smear my lipstick, and then I hear Mac say, “Turn and smile at the camera. You guys got all gussied up—we need a picture.”
After posing for a few quick pictures, Ry leads me to the elevator.
“Come on, I have to show my girl off tonight.”
“Where are we going, anyway?” I stop short and hold up a finger. “Hold that thought. Aiden?”
I walk back into the common area and see Aiden poke his head up over the couch.
“Yeah?”
“Be good.” I smile at him. “It’s my job to say that, you know.”
“I think I need to say that to you,” he retorts, making Mac laugh his ass off.
“I raised a smart-ass,” I say to Ry as I walk back to the elevator. “Okay, now where are we going?”
“I should probably warn you,” Ryker replies as he presses the button for the parking garage. “About six months ago, I bought tickets to this charity dinner thing.”
“And that’s where we’re going?”
He nods.
“What’s the charity?”
“I forget the exact organization, but it’s for kids.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “I don’t buy that. What’s it for, Ry?”
“It benefits foster kids.”
My heart softens even more.
My God, I’m in love with this man.
“Then I’m so glad we’re in town for it. Is it one of those silent auction, fancy-dinner situations?”
“No auction.” He clears his throat. “It’s a mini concert.”
The doors open, and he leads me to his sporty little Porsche, opens the door for me, and helps me into it before rounding the hood to the driver’s side.
“It’s a benefit concert? Why are we all dressed up, Ry? Concerts are casual.”
His lips tip up into a smile.
“This one is different. It’s held at someone’s home.”
I blink at him.
“Okay, start talking, James. What in the hell is going on?”