Page 117 of Suck My Puck

I bite my lip and nod. “Can’t wait.”

Butterflies zoom through my tummy as I take the elevator to the restaurant in the lobby of the hotel.

I catch my reflection in the mirror wall of the elevator. I look happy and relaxed after spending the last three hours at the spa.

I dab my finger under my eye and wipe away a fleck of mascara, then smooth a hand over my hair, which I styled into soft waves. I run a hand over my deep red cocktail dress. It’s strapless and hits me right at my knees. I smile to myself. I can’t wait for Braden to see me in this.

I remember the way his eyes popped out of his head when he saw me in my Jessica Rabbit Halloween costume. The dress I’m wearing now isn’t nearly that sexy, but it hugs my boobs and my butt and I’m hoping that it reminds Braden of it.

The elevator doors glide open and I step out. My heels click against the floor of the lobby as I make my way to the entrance of Très Buono, the fancy Italian-French fusion restaurant housed in this hotel.

I walk in and spot Braden at a table in the center of the restaurant. He’s looking at a menu, so he doesn’t see me.

I walk up to the table. “Hey.”

When he looks up, his eyes look like they’re about to bulge out of his head. “Holy shit,” he blurts.

An older couple sitting at the table nearby frown at him. I hold back a laugh.

Braden clears his throat and mumbles, “Sorry” before standing up and stepping over to me.

He grins wide before kissing my cheek. “Holy shit,” he whispers. “You looking fucking incredible.”

I’m smiling so wide, my cheeks hurt. “Thank you. You look ridiculously hot.”

Braden’s wearing a perfectly tailored slate gray suit and a crisp white dress shirt, no tie. His sandy blond hair is neatly combed and the usually thick scruff on his face is trimmed close to his skin. He looks like a male model who just stepped off the runway.

I breathe in his cologne. He smells like rain and spice.

He flashes a sexy smile. “Thanks. I clean up pretty good for a guy who stops pucks for a living, right?”

I chuckle and he pulls out my chair for me. I sit down and skim the drink menu and notice him looking at me.

“You’re staring.”

“Can’t help it. You look beautiful. That dress.” He runs his gaze down my neck and chest. “It kind of reminds me of your Jessica Rabbit costume.”

“I did that on purpose. I could tell you liked that dress.”

“I fucking loved it,” he growls softly. “Anytime you want to wear it again, please do.”

I’m giddy at the hungry flash in his eyes. The server stops by and takes our drink order, then leaves us to browse the menu.

“How was the spa?” Braden asks.

“Amazing. It felt so good to relax and unwind for a fewhours. Thank you again. That was so thoughtful of you to plan that surprise.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

The server arrives with the bottle of red wine we ordered and pours it into our glasses. We both take a sip. A couple of minutes later, the server returns to take our dinner order. I sit back and drink my wine, taking in the low hum of conversation around us and the dim romantic lighting of the restaurant.

I glance over at Braden. He’s staring at me with that same fiery look in his eyes from earlier.

“Are you having a nice time?” he asks.

“I’m having the best time ever.” I’m quiet for a long moment, feeling overwhelmed at everything he’s done.

He slides his hand across the table and touches my hand. “What is it?” he asks softly.

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