Total pages in book: 176
Estimated words: 167257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 836(@200wpm)___ 669(@250wpm)___ 558(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 167257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 836(@200wpm)___ 669(@250wpm)___ 558(@300wpm)
“No, I don’t,” she denied. “It fell off.”
“Yeah, okay, Atlas. Keep playing with me.”
She sat on the bed to put her heels on, and then I had to sit through her switching out her purse for one that matched her shoes. I was one more delay from pulling her ass out the door by her hair when she slung her purse over her shoulder and announced that she was ready.
“About fucking time,” I grumbled under my breath.
I was standing to go when I caught her gaze darting from me to the roses I’d forgotten all about. Her dark eyes lingered there before guiltily returning to me, and I watched her bite her lip when she caught me watching her.
“Are those…are you those for me?”
I wordlessly nodded, and she hesitated for a moment before walking over to them. I watched her lift them to her nose and sniff before smiling.
“They’re beautiful, Owen. Thank you.”
Something inside of me sighed with relief. “You’re welcome.” I felt a little weird but happy as fuck that I’d made her smile. Remembering the other gift I had for her, I reached inside my pocket, and watched her eyes widen when I held up the necklace. “Turn around.”
Atlas hesitated for only a second before doing as she was told. Silently, she gathered her hair in her hands and lifted them out the way, and I draped the pearls around her neck and fastened the clasp.
I kissed her nape when I was done and brought my lips to her ear. “This is all I want you wearing later when I eat your pussy.”
Her breath rushed out of her like she wanted that too, but when she turned to face me, her gaze was stern. “That’s not happening, Owen. It can’t. I’m only agreeing to dinner.”
When I bent and kissed her lips, she didn’t fight me, but she didn’t kiss me back either. “Come on. Let’s go.”
“Okay.” She set the flowers back down and met me at the door, which I held open for her before following her out into the night, using my key to lock up. “How did you get a key to the room?”
“I took the shit. Fuck you mean?” I looked back in time to see her shaking her head as if I cared about her disapproval. Okay, maybe I did a little bit, but she was partly to blame for the crazy shit I did, making me chase her pretty ass.
“Do you not care at all that you might go to jail? You should be in jail,” she mumbled after the fact.
“No.” I took her hand and led her to the car, where I held the door open for her and helped her fine ass in. “Hey,” I said as I dropped to my haunches so that we were at eye level.
She tucked a loc behind her ear and blushed. “Yes, Owen?”
“Thank you for having dinner with me. You look beautiful.” Her lips parted in shock, and I grinned as I stood and closed her door.
Yeah, I’d paid more attention to my pops than I cared to admit. I also meant every word.
My heart was beating fast as fuck, but I felt excited and eager to get to the restaurant so we could eat and vibe. And then later, for dessert, I could finally make her mine.
I didn’t let on how excited I was when we walked through the door of the restaurant hand in hand. Taste was a TikTok sensation, and I’d been dying to come here with no hope of ever doing so. I wondered how Rowdy had heard about it.
I somehow doubted that he’d found it on the app. He was a pretty busy man, so I couldn’t imagine him sitting around wasting hours watching people dance—sometimes horribly—or do skits. It had been a godsend for me while stuck in that dingy motel room with only the local news and religious programs to keep me entertained.
Rowdy gave the hostess his last name. After confirming our reservation, we were shown to one of the cloth-covered tables tucked into the corner that allowed us to see the entire restaurant while offering privacy as well.
I blushed again when Rowdy pulled out my chair for me like the perfect gentleman before hiking up his slacks and seating himself next to me rather than across from me. It was a constant effort not to drool seeing him dressed in something other than his work uniform or usual jeans and hoodie. The only visual that could possibly top it would be seeing him in his birthday suit, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for that.
The hostess left us alone with menus, but thanks to my internet sleuthing, I already knew what I wanted. I just wished I were old enough to order a drink. I’d heard they were amazing.