Page 28 of Ask for Moore

At her whispered confession, I decided to bring her something every time I took her out. “A first for our first date.”

“Come in so I can put these in water.”

I followed her into the kitchen, where the kitten she had rescued was licking water out of a bowl. “Gracie looks happy. Did she let you take a nap?”

“We both napped.” She took a vase out of one of the cabinets and filled it with water. “I think she was as worn out as me.”

I crouched down to pet Gracie while Waverly took care of the flowers. Then I led her out of the room and to the front of the property with my hand on her lower back. Even such a simple touch was satisfying when I’d been unable to act on my desire for so long.

After helping her into my car, I entwined our fingers while I drove downtown to the restaurant. The trip was quick, and the hostess saw us to a corner booth as soon as we arrived. Once we placed our orders, I asked, “Was your conversation with Burkhart as bad as you thought it would be?”

“Worse,” she groaned. “Apparently, my client thinks me being in a relationship with you is a great idea because I should do whatever it takes to get him approval for his subdivision. And since the biggest town in the county is named after your family, he figures you have more pull than your client.”

I was glad as fuck that Waverly was sitting next to me but knowing that I was able to take her on a date because her client was sleazy as hell really pissed me off. “That asshole actually implied you should sleep with me so he could get his damn subdivision?”

“Yup.” She rolled her eyes. “But I’m trying to look at the bright side. At least he isn’t going to run and tattle to a named partner about how I’m unprofessional and he wants another lawyer.”

“That would definitely be the worst-case scenario.” Not only because she’d probably lose her chance at ever making partner but being kicked off the case would mean that she wouldn’t have a reason to be in Mooreville anymore.

Waverly was as smart as a whip, and I trusted her to handle her client. That didn’t mean I wouldn’t happily kick his ass over his treatment of her if I thought she wouldn’t mind. But if she was able to move past his sleazy suggestion, then I needed to do the same. At least for now.

14

Waverly

Dinner with Ryland had gone so well that I hadn’t hesitated to take him up on his offer to go back to his place. Only when he pulled into the driveway, it wasn’t anything like I had expected.

I blinked at Ryland’s picture-perfect house and yard, bordered with an actual white picket fence, and I pressed my lips together, trying to keep from grinning like a fool. My tiny studio apartment back in Evanston was the polar opposite, but I liked what I was seeing so far. I was used to big city life, and this was anything but. That wasn’t a bad thing, though.

“What?” He arched a brow at me.

I reached up and rubbed the back of my neck as a blush hit my cheeks. “Your house could be pictured in a magazine. You have the literal American dream, white picket fence and all.”

He flashed me a wicked grin and took my free hand, lacing his fingers with mine as he tugged me up the walk to his front door. “I promise I’ll give you the full tour later, queenie. Right now, I’ve got other, more pressing things on my mind.”

I probably should have hated his nickname since it was close to what my peers called me, but there wasn’t any malice in his tone…only sincere male appreciation.

Unlocking the front door, he guided me straight to his bedroom, flipping on a couple of lights here and there as he went. The second the bedroom door closed behind us, his lips were on mine again, his hands on my waist, pulling me close like he couldn’t get enough. I couldn’t, either. I had craved the feel of his lips devouring mine ever since we kissed during the court recess earlier today.

Tunneling my fingers in his hair, I arched my back, pressing myself closer as his hands skimmed from my shoulder blades down to my hips. As his tongue flicked out to part my lips, I pulled back and dragged in a shaky breath. There was a nervous flutter in my stomach, but I couldn’t let my anxiety stop me from making a necessary admission before things went further.

“I should probably warn you that my ice queen nickname holds true to a certain extent. I’m not the most experienced woman in the world when it comes to things like this.” I licked my lips and lowered my gaze, staring at his collarbone as I stroked my fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck.

Ryland’s hands slid up my spine and around my neck to cup my face. Then he tipped my chin up and gave me a sweet little peck on the end of my nose. “Inexperience isn’t anything to be ashamed of, queenie.”

“Well…” My face heated in a deep blush—one that I knew wasn’t hidden even a tiny bit by my pale skin—making me grimace. “I think you’re underestimating my particular level of inexperience. I’m actually a virgin.”

I closed my eyes, bracing myself for his reaction, scared that he would suddenly decide that he wasn’t that interested in pursuing me, after all. I felt Ryland go so still that I wasn’t even sure he was even breathing.

Oh no. I should have just kept my mouth shut.

I instantly fell into an anxious, self-conscious downward spiral as my thoughts started to run away with me.

“Allow me to reiterate.” Ryland’s soft, husky voice sent a shiver down my spine, pulling me out of my head. “Inexperience is nothing to be ashamed of.”

He nipped my earlobe as if to accentuate his point. I gasped, both shocked and thrilled by how delicious his teeth felt on my skin. “I’m glad you told me, though. Knowing that it’s your first time makes me want to make absolutely certain this is a good experience for you. Not that I wasn’t already planning to ensure you more than enjoyed yourself while in my bed.”

Holy moly, the sensual promise in his deep voice made me weak in the knees. I nodded, at a loss for words amid the heady mixture of desire and relief.

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