Page 38 of The Wingman

His eyes are soft like velvet, so kind and understanding and affectionate that I want to drop myself into his lap, wrap my arms around him, and bury my face in his neck so I can inhale his warm scent and let him comfort me.

Itwasa really fucked up thing for Kit to do, and the relief that Hayden thinks so too has all the tension in my chest dissolving.

Hayden frowns at our hands, then pulls his away, and the moment’s over. “Sorry,” he mutters.

I try not to deflate. He’s a touchy-feely guy, except with me.

The server comes by with the bill, and Hayden rolls his eyes when I try to pull out my credit card.

“Darcy, no.” His voice is firm as he pays it. “Don’t even try that.”

The server leaves, and I give him a grateful smile. “Thank you.” I pick my napkin up off my lap and drop it on the table, putting on a confident smile. “Let’s go home. I got you a little something.”

“Oh, yeah?” He grins, and there’s my Hayden again.

I mean, notmyHayden. The old Hayden I know and love.Like. Whatever.

“Great.” He stands and helps me into my coat. “Because I got you something, too.”

CHAPTER 17

HAYDEN

“How did I do tonight?”Darcy asks over her shoulder as I help her out of her coat.

Her eyes move around the apartment, over all the flowers I bought her, and she smiles.

“Andersen, you aced it. This has been the best date of my life.” I shoot her a flirty grin to make her think I’m joking. “A-plus.”

I can’t stop thinking about what Kit did to her, proposing in front of everyone. The shocked expression on her face when he got down on one knee looks so much different in hindsight.

I felt guilty for thinking she didn’t seem as excited as she should have been. Now I know how right I was.

She reaches down to take her heels off. “Best date of yourlife? You say that to all the girls.”

“Half the things we talk about, I don’t say to other girls.”

I don’t talk about what type of porn I like or give them lessons on how to touch guys. And I sure as shit don’t knock water over on the table because I’m sweating like some nervous teenager.

She bites back a smile, glowing with pleasure, and my heartsqueezes in my chest. I’ve been trying not to stare at her all night, but I can’t keep from letting my gaze linger on her.

Fucking hell, she’s so beautiful. Smug pride weaves through me, expanding in my chest. Darcy rolls out of bed, makeup-free and hair a mess, and fine, I’ll admit it, I’m attracted to her. But tonight, all dressed up?

She’s stunning, and she looks like that forme.

My gaze drops to the hem of her short dress and the soft, smooth skin of her legs. I wonder what panties she’s wearing. Darcy likes things to line up and coordinate, she likes things that make sense, so I’m thinking they match one of the colors on her dress.

My mind goes to the row of panties hanging in the bathroom to dry a couple of days ago. I had to grab something from under the sink when she wasn’t home.

The light-pink pair, I bet.

“Best date of your lifeso far,” Darcy says, lifting a brow. “I might not put out.”

I blanche, hit with the overwhelming urge to haul her over my shoulder and carry her to my bedroom.

Her eyes widen and she claps her hands on her face. “I was kidding,” she moans, going red beneath her fingers. “I’m sorry. That was a joke. I was trying to be funny and it came out weird.”

“It’s fine.” A hoarse laugh slips out of me. Is she trying to fucking kill me? “I know you were kidding. I’m going to change out of my suit.”

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