Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
My cheeks flush, heat pooling in my belly as the words wrap around me like a warm embrace. I can’t think of a response, and the playful banter of moments ago evaporates, leaving a thick tension hanging in the air. His implication dances between us, igniting a surge of warmth that courses through my veins.
“I—uh…” I stammer as my brain completely shuts down. This man has a knack for leaving me speechless.
Nash watches me, intense desire flickering in his gaze, and it’s all I can do not to squirm beneath the scrutiny as my heart races like a runaway train. Suddenly, the night feels charged with thrilling possibilities.
His expression softens, and I see that wicked spark again. His confidence and obvious desire for me both tease me and reassure me all at once. “We have reservations at seven.” He laces his fingers with mine and his touch warms me from the inside out.
I swallow hard, reminding myself this night out is to explore whatever this wild connection is between us. “Okay,” I finally manage, straightening my posture, even as curiosity and excitement swirl in my gut. “Be good, Boo,” I yell over my shoulder as we step out the door, knowing full well my words are going in one of my stubborn cat’s ears and out the other.
The whole way to the restaurant, Nash’s masculine scent wraps around me, turning my insides to mush. He lifts our intertwined fingers up to his mouth and places a soft kiss on my knuckles. “Did you get all your chores done?” he asks, and my body reacts like he just whispered dirty fantasies in my ear.
“I did,” I manage to croak out past my dry throat.
When we pull up outside Le Petit Bistro, I turn to Nash. “How did you get reservations here?”
“That’s my little secret.” He pulls up and steps out to hand his keys to the valet. Then Nash walks around the car and opens my door. As he helps me out of the car, Nash whispers in my ear, “My twin sister got the reservations for us after I promised to name our first child after her.”
I stumble on my high heels as his words wrap around me. “What’s your sister’s name?” I blurt out my first thought, ignoring how his words caused my girly parts to wake up.
“Nora.” He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me close to his side. “So, we have to have a girl first.”
I’m still processing this conversation when we step into the darkened lobby. Nash gives his name to the perky hostess, and she instantly leads us to a secluded table in the back of the restaurant. He holds my chair out as I sit down, then walks around to sit directly across from me.
The atmosphere is alive with chatter, the clinking of glasses, and the rich aroma of gourmet food wafting through the air. I’m still buzzing from the tension of our earlier exchange, and the anticipation of what lies ahead electrifies the air between Nash and me.
A waiter appears, interrupting my thoughts and the charged energy reverberating between us. He’s polished and professional, delivering crystal glasses of water before jotting down our orders with practiced ease. I glance at Nash, who orders something suave and sophisticated that effortlessly matches his vibe, and I follow suit, opting for a pasta dish that’s both indulgent and decadent. The waiter nods, takes our menus, and slips away, leaving us in a bubble of soft laughter and flirty glances.
Taking a sip of my water, I turn my attention back to Nash, wanting to peel back a layer of him—because earlier, I had sensed there was so much more beneath that confident exterior. “So, tell me about your sister,” I inquire, genuinely curious.
He leans back, his posture relaxing as he thinks it over. “Nora is three minutes older than me,” he replies, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “We’re really close. Almost inseparable, especially growing up. It’s always been just the two of us.”
The glimpse into his family life piques my interest. It’s fascinating to picture him as part of a duo, two wild siblings taking on the world. "You two must have gotten into some trouble together," I tease, raising an eyebrow.
“Oh, you have no idea. Law school was… let’s say interesting,” he continues, a smirk playing on his lips. “We pushed each other hard, always competing. But at the end of the day, we both knew we’d have each other’s backs.”
His tone shifts slightly, the warmth in his voice enriching the story. “We opened our firm shortly after graduation, diving straight into the chaotic world of divorce law. It was a gamble, but we’ve made it work,” he explains, each word laced with pride.
Just as I’m about to respond with a witty comeback, the waiter returns, placing our dishes in front of us. The rich aromas swirl together, and my hunger overrides my curiosity about Nash. I glance at my plate, my mouth watering at the sight of the pasta, and when I look back up, I catch Nash watching me with the same intensity.