Page 28 of Baller's Surprise Baby

The driver texts me when they arrive, so I do a last check of all the elements. Nothing has changed in the last fifteen minutes, so standing nervously at the door, I wait for the elevator to ding and deliver her to my penthouse.

When the doors finally slide open, all of time stops. There she is, lush and beautiful, and dolled up with smoky eyes, smooth skin, delicate frame, and curves that can make a man sing. Here she is… all for me. My shoulders relax as I take in the makeup, the hair, and the accessories. She’s perfect. She’s money, and I’m the only one she’s thinking of tonight.

At the sight of her, all of my confidence comes rushing back and I let me eyes sweep over her in obvious pleasure before nodding my head and reaching for her hand.

“Hey there, Curves. You sure know how to make an entrance.” I hold her gaze as I bend to press a kiss to the back of her hand and then straighten back up to my full height to step in even closer. “I like this, I sweep a finger down to her dress strap and then let it trail lightly down her side, grazing the side of her breast in the process. Her breath hitches, and her cheeks pinken in pleasure.

“Thank you.” Her words come out all breathy, and something inside of me screams to kiss her now. I think of the new sheets on my bed and try to imagine what she’d say if I threw her over my shoulder and carried her to my room this minute. But I promised her dinner, so I pull her past the fountain and further into the apartment where I take her coat and purse.

“Rachel assured me that you like pasta, so tonight’s menu is chicken alfredo.” I lead her to the dining table where I have the main course in a warming dish.

“Oh wow,” her voice is suitably impressed, and I can’t hold back a grin as she takes in the flowers, the candles, the napkins, goblets and chinaware. It’s literally the most formal meal I can imagine, and also the first of its kind to ever be had in my penthouse, because let’s face it. I’ve been living the bachelor’s life.

“Ryder, this is really beautiful. I don’t know what to say. I wasn’t expecting this.” She turns wide eyes at me, and I take full advantage of her wonder to step in closer and dip my head toward her just so I can breathe her in.

“I know you’re still making your mind up about me, Ev. But I’ve already made up my mind about you.” If anything, her eyes get even bigger before she gulps and turns back to the table. I step forward to pull out her chair at the head of the table and then seat myself adjacent to her. I’d thought about having caterers but had quickly dismissed that idea since my goal is to pretty much seal the deal and lock her into a relationship with me. So, instead I serve her and open each dish until our plates are laden with garlic bread, pasta, salad and a few assorted veggies.

When I offer wine, she opts for soda, so I follow suit and then wait a moment almost awkwardly.

“So, um… do you… like to say a prayer, or anything?”

For some reason, the question makes her laugh. She bows her head to say a simple grace before lifting her gaze back to me and pointedly saying, “Bon Appetit, Ryder.”

I smile, relaxing once again when I return the phrase and take up my silverware. We spend the meal chatting about food, movies, cooking, and all things related. I’m more than gratified when Everly approves the pasta.

“So, confession.” I hold a hand up as I speak. “I only cooked the chicken and pasta. The rest of it I had catered.” Everly evaluates the table with a raised brow and nods in appreciation.

“You know what? I don’t care. Hands down, this is the best meal I’ve had in months.” I smile smugly and watch as she takes seconds.

“Well, maybe we should do this more often,” I quip.

“I’ll be honest Ryder, I’m not one to turn down a good meal.”

I grin at that while piling thirds onto my plate. “My kind of woman,” I beam at her proudly before picking up my silverware and digging in again.

When we finish up, she offers to carry things to the kitchen, but I wave it off and take her by the hand. It’s a moment of secret delight as every cell in my body responds to her skin, and I force my hand to relax when all I want to do is pull her close. “Tonight is not for dishes,” say as I throw a wink at her over my shoulder and lead her toward the living area. It’s early February in Texas, so not the coldest weather but not the warmest, and being on the thirtieth floor with large windows means the living area can get a bit drafty. I settle her onto the couch in front of a gaslit fireplace before asking if she’d like anything to drink.

“Um, do you have any Three Spirits elixirs?” she asks, and I stare at her for a moment.

“Actually I do. Is that what you like?”

“That would be lovely.”

I’m a little surprised, but I grab our drinks and make my way back to the sitting area and plant myself as close as reasonably possible to her on the plush cushions. All through dinner I’ve been trying not to stare at her breasts because I’m in this for the long game, but at the same time, the woman is magnificently built and she is wearing that dress. My new position beside her gives me the perfect view of her cleavage, and everything beneath my waistband hardens in an instant.

I take a sip and then ask. “Everly, do you drink?”

She stares for a moment, her mouth in the shape of a surprised “O” and then seems to fumble her words for a moment as she answers.

“I do, it’s just…I mean, I preferred not to…tonight.”

I feel my brows furrowing and I lower my voice. “Everly, I’d never take advantage of you. You know that, right?”

“Oh, no it’s…it’s not that…it’s just um…I wanted to have something different. That’s all.” I can see her cheeks are red and regret that there’s anything I’ve done to make her feel like she needs to be on her guard with me. My stomach clenches, I relax my posture and lift my cup to hers with a lazy grin. “Salut.”

She smiles, and raises her glass as she responds, “And to what do we drink?”

“To second, second chances,” I answer.

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