Page 65 of Wild Ace

She bursts out laughing, and it’s music to my ears. “Vinny!”

“What? I thought it was clever.”

“It was. What did you have in mind for the date part of the evening?”

“I want to take you to dinner. There’s a place on the water I think you’ll like.”

“I would like that.”

“I’ll pick you up at 7?”

“I’ll be ready.”

“Be ready to stay at my place, too.”

“That’s a bit presumptuous.”

“Not really, baby. I’ll see you soon.”

Hanging up, I head up to my apartment with a smile, knowing my night is going to be occupied by a sexy goddess laid out naked in my bed.

♠ ♣ ♥ ♦

I pull up to Lexi’s apartment at exactly seven, and she steps out from the lobby doors. My heart races. She’s so goddamn beautiful.

I don’t understand how she hasn’t been swept off her feet by someone else, but I’ve never been happier that she hasn’t.

I open the passenger door for her and she gives me one of her sweet smiles. “Thank you.”

“You look beautiful, Lexi.”

She leans up on her toes and gives me a soft kiss. “Thank you.”

“Don’t I look good, too?” I joke, winking.

“You know you do,” she says, giving me another kiss before getting inside the car. “So, where are we going?” she asks when I get in and start the car.

“South Dockside. Have you ever been?”

“Yeah, it’s so pretty there. But it’s January.”

“They have an inside section. But they also put heaters on the porch and decks.”

“Oh, okay.” She perks up, looking out the window as I make the short drive.

When we get there, the wind is whipping off the water, blowing Lexi’s hair around her face. She laughs, her attempt at taming it a futile effort.

“Hold on.” She reaches into her purse and pulls out a clip. I watch her, fascinated as she turns so the wind is at her face and she twists her hair up at the back of her head, securing it with the clip. “You’re staring,” she says with a grin.

“I know.”

Her cheeks heat and I pull her close, placing my lips to her heated skin to feel it for myself. “You know I love that color on you.”

Lexi and I head inside, and we’re seated on the upper deck where there are standing heaters in each of the corners.

“What are you studying in school?” I ask her after we place our orders.

“Psychology. I love learning how the brain works and how people work. The dynamics of relationships and friendships and people’s behaviors in general is what fascinates me.”

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