Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 43198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 173(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 173(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
I frown. Geez. That took a morbid turn. I pick up my glass again. “What about you? Tell me about you. I don’t even know what you do.”
He has one hand on the table, gripping the side. It’s almost like he wants to touch me but he’s stopping himself. I see the way he’s looking at me, and I know he wants me. Hell, the feeling is mutual, but I’m also self-aware enough to know that he would eat me alive.
He starts talking. “I’m in finance. I have an office downtown, but I work from my home office a lot. I have four brothers and one sister. We’re all close. Our mom and dad sort of forced it on us.” He chuckles, and I feel myself leaning toward him.
“Logan was in the military. He now owns a security firm in Whiskey Run. My sister, Skyler, is a baker. My brother Penn is a doctor, Guy is a professional baseball player, and Ozzy is a rancher.”
I say the first thing that comes to mind. “Your parents must be really proud.”
He tilts his head to the side. “Your parents weren’t proud of you?”
Shit. I didn’t realize he would read into my words. “Uh, well, actually, they had hoped I would go into something that had a more reliable paycheck.”
He searches my face. “But photography makes you happy?”
I couldn’t stop the smile if I wanted to. “Yes, I’m happy. Very happy.”
He nods. “I’m sure they would want you happy.”
I shrug because I’m not really sure. I hope so.
I look at his hand on the table and then to him. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
I gesture around the restaurant. “What is all this about? Is this your thing? You show off your money, feed them a good meal, get some drinks in them, and then take them back to your hotel room?”
He stares at me, and I wait for the anger. I know I’m pushing some of his buttons, and that was my intention. I want to see the real Miller, and maybe the way to do that is to piss him off a little bit.
He leans back in his chair. “You want the truth?”
I nod even though I’m not sure if I want the truth or not. Do I want to hear that I’m just one woman on a long list of others? No, I don’t.
“I haven’t been on a date with a woman in around five years. I haven’t slept with a woman in the same amount of time. I’m not trying to show off my money. I really wanted to spend time with you without people recognizing me or for our picture to show up on the tabloids in the morning. And well, as for taking you back to my hotel room… I would take you to my home.” He holds his hand up. “And before you ask, I’ve never had another woman there besides my mom, my sister, and my sister-in-law. But—”
He stares at me, and I can’t stop myself from asking, “But what?”
He gestures to the empty glass of red wine in front of me. “Once you had a drink of that, I knew I wouldn’t take you home with me.”
He leans up, voice husky. “Because the first time we’re together, I want you to give me full, un-inebriated access, and I don’t want you to forget one second of me worshipping your body.”
I blurt out, “Why?” Shaking my head, I can’t believe I said that out loud. “Why? If all that is true, why me?”
He reaches for me then and doesn’t stop himself this time. He holds my hand, rubbing his thumb softly against my skin. “Please don’t tell me this was all one-sided.”
I just stare at him, wanting him to continue.
He wraps his hand around mine and almost pleads with me. “I’ve never been like this with anyone. When I first looked at you this morning, you were smiling into your camera, looking at a photo you’d just taken. I’d never seen a woman as beautiful as you. I sat and watched you all day, hoping and praying that you would agree to dinner with me.”
The server comes hesitantly to the table. “Dinner is served.”
He sets a plate in front of me. “Filet mignon, medium with green beans, and our famous cheesy potatoes.”
I stare at my plate as the server sets down Miller’s plate and repeats the same meal. I can feel my cheeks heat. “I can’t believe that I ordered a steak. I thought you were messing with me, and I wanted to get a good meal out of this before I walked out of here.”
He surprises me by laughing. “Well, enjoy your steak, but I’m hoping that you will at least be open to a second date.”
I have my fork and my knife in my hand, and I let my wrists rest on the table. “Second date?”