Page 44 of Rim Job

Is this Rim being romantic or is this how absurdly rich people dine?

Maybe it's to keep up appearances. After all, I am his wife. Either way, it's beautiful, and I've never had someone do something as special as this for me.

“What do you think?”

I don't know what to think. So, I decide to go for honesty.

“Rim, what's going on here?” I ask, turning to look at the hundreds of roses in silver urns.

“I believe they call it wooing, Christina.”

“It’s beautiful. I, I can’t believe you did this for me.”

“Of course I did. Well, actually, a few of the staff did, but I told them how I wanted it to look.”

I smile. “Maybe the staff of your castle deserves a bonus.”

He smiles back at me. The pretty one that says he thinks I’m sassy and will punish me in some seriously sexy ways later. “Come, sit. Let’s eat. I’m famished.”

Like the gentleman he is, he pulls my chair out, and I take a seat. He sits across from me.

Does he look good tonight or what?

His black slacks and black button-up shirt with a few of the top buttons undone make him dangerous.

Damn, casual Rim is sexy as hell.

Servers bring out silver cloche-domed plates and set them in front of us.

“What's this?”

The server reaches for the cloche dome.

“Why, only the finest will do for my lady,” Rim says as he nods to the server.

The dome lifts, and my mouth waters. The best-looking hamburger and fries I have ever seen rests nestled on a silver plate.

“Heavens to Betsy, that is the finest burger I have seen outside the United States.” I pour on a heavy fake southern accent as I clutch at my necklace with one hand.

Rim chuckles, and we both settle in to enjoy our food. This night, this man is so not what I was expecting. Sometimes, it's nice to be pleasantly surprised.

“So, tell me about yourself, Christina,” Rim says before he puts a fry in his mouth.

I watch mesmerized as the muscles in his jaw clench with each chew.

Who knew watching someone eat could be a turn on?

“Well, I own the bookstore with Glory. You already know my girls.” I pop a fry in my mouth, stalling for time. I didn't realize until this moment my list had kept my life lacking in some departments. That's just sad, really. “I love to read. The girls and I have a book club once a week. Um,” I chomp another fry, “I like to go to the gun range.”

Damn. I hate being put on the spot like this.

“Wait, you like to shoot guns? Now that I didn't see coming.” Rim grabs his glass, and his fingers resting around the stem begin to mindlessly stroke the crystal.

Oh, boy. Do I have ideas for what he can do with those fingers.

“Yes. My dad used to take me and my brother, Leo, to the range as teens. I started shooting out of boredom. I soon realized I enjoyed it.”

“I'll have to get you out on a shooting range sometime, see what you can do.”

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