“Thank you for the invitation. I haven’t had anything to eat since our light lunch, so I’m starving.”

He sucked his teeth and lowered himself to my ear. Seeing as it was almost 10:00 PM, I could understand why that was his response. “Let mefind out you’re the kind of woman who doesn’t take care of herself because she works too hard.”

“What if I am?” I asked with a smile, leaning more into him.

“I’ll have to make it my mission to take care of you, sweetheart.” Armor kissed my neck then went to his side of the table. He shook his head. “Why are you trying so hard not to smile?”

“Because I feel corny being so happy to see you.”

That made him laugh. “It would only be corny if I wasn’t as happy to see you.”

Silence found us, which was fine. He’d already ordered us a bottle of wine, so when the waitress was done pouring us both a glass, she left to give us time to look over the menu.

“I do have two ulterior motives for asking you to dinner,” he admitted, expression growing serious.

“What are they?”

“I want to learn a little more about you to make sure I put together a great first date. I also want to tell you a little about my past. If it’s something that will make you uncomfortable being with me, there’s no point in us going beyond tonight.”

My spine straightened as I gulped. With one bob of my head, I beckoned him to continue as I reached for my glass of wine.

“I am in real estate like I said. I am part owner of Armored Remedy Real Estate.”

I almost choked on my wine. Covering my mouth, I laughed. “I don’t know why I didn’t think to ask you if you knew Remedy. Even with your name being Armor, it didn’t register to me that you were his business partner. We grew up together.”

“Yeah, he told me this evening.”

“So the two of you did time together?”

Armor nodded. “Yeah, we did. I did ten years.”

My brows lifted as I rolled my tongue over my teeth. “Wow. That’s a long time. I’m glad you’re out.”

“You and me both.”

“Do you mind if I ask what you did time for?”

“I beat the man who was abusing my mother to death.” He paused, and I honestly didn’t know what to say. “You’ll probably hear things about me. That I’m violent. A drug dealer. Killer.”

“What part of it is true?”

“I used to be a drug dealer but I’m not anymore. I have taken a few lives, but they were all justified. That’s not something I brag about or even talk about, but I wanted you to be aware. I would never want anyone to tell you something about me that you need to hear from me.”

“I-I appreciate that.” Cupping my hands in my lap, I took a deep breath. “Am I safe with you?”

His head tilted and eyes softened. “Without a doubt.”

“And you’re not doing anything now that would jeopardize my freedom or life?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Then what do you need to know to plan our date?”

Hours After Dinner

Armor restedme on my side. He put me in a slight butterfly position with my feet pressed together, but my legs weren’t spread wide. They were only wide enough for his hand to fit as he fingered me. I’d never been in that position before, and I’d also never received as muchpleasure from a man’s fingers before. My moans poured without my permission as my body trembled. I don’t know what the hell this man was doing to me, but I wanted him to do it forever.

My back arched. I gripped his wrist as my eyes shut tightly. “Armor, I’m about to cum.Pleasedon’t stop.”