Page 40 of The Amazing Date

I wrap Rylee in a reverse bear hug to hide the discomfort in my pants. “I think we’ve already had our appetizer.” I plant a kiss on Rylee’s exposed neck, which causes her to wiggle against me. My body reacts, forcing my mouth into motion. “I think I speak for both of us when I say we’ll be taking the entrées to go.” Rylee’s fingers reach back and stroke my upper thigh, her sensuous, soft strokes confirming her resistance is as nonexistent as mine.

The waitress continues to hold the plates in her hand, confusion on her face. “I guess we could. However, what about the painting and dessert?”

I steal a glance around the restaurant. Every table has paused their dinner to look in our direction, smirks, laughter, and wide eyes all around.

“My man has already painted.” Rylee juts her chin toward the easel next to the table. “And I’ll be taking care of dessert.” Her sweet giggle is irresistible. I nipple on her earlobe as the waitress begins to turn. “Excuse me?” Rylee’s statement causes the waitress to pause, half turning toward us. “If you have any extra whipped cream, you can pack that for us as well. Thank you.”

“You devil,” I whisper. The waitress disappears, and I place another kiss on her neck. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to kiss you.”

She lays her hands gently on my forearms and leans to her side, attempting to capture my gaze. I release my hold, allowing her to twist and face me. “I questioned whether we’d ever again.”

The judgment-free statement is appreciated. I’ve been the primary guilty party for maintaining the cold war between us, Gabby prodding me repeatedly to reach out and make amends. Even though she didn’t have all the details, she knew whatever happened had caused a rift between the two most important people in her life.

I don’t want to ruin this moment by revisiting the past, but it is something we will need to discuss soon.

“You’re a dangerous woman for me, Rylee. Always have been.” My statement is filled with an honesty I never thought I would share. From the moment I saw Rylee, I knew she was special, different from any other woman in my life. The one to take my heart. The one to destroy me. She is the forbidden fruit that has tempted me from day one. I tried to resist for the longest time, only to fail miserably. With her in my arms finally, failing never felt so great.

“And you have been my biggest regret. No longer.” She places a tender kiss on my lips, and I close my eyes to savor this moment. My creative mind records every single element: the look in her eyes, the smell of her hair, the touch of her skin, the soft music streaming in the background, the low dinner lighting, the flicker of the candlelight on the table.

I step to the easel and grab the drawing. I twist it to show her. It’s far from complete, only the initial outlines of her portrait visible.

She tilts her head to the side, staring at it. “I get it.”

I lift a brow, imploring her to continue.

“Inspiration. I can see the passion on the page. All your emotions in the strokes. It’s telling the story of not only tonight but us.” Pride wells in my chest,. I never thought her analytical mind would ever relax enough to capture the flow to understand the mind of an artist. “It’s beautiful.”

“You’re the beautiful one. It’s merely a reflection of your inner being. Your soul.” My breathing hitches, emotions running out of control. Just being around Rylee causes this reaction.

Her dainty finger pushes a strand of hair around her ear; my fingers have done a number on her styled hair. “Let’s pay, collect our food, and finish this conversation in a place with a little more privacy. We may have to leave a really big tip for our behavior.”

I laugh. “Good thing Wilma is paying.”

“I’m trying to behave,” she whispers next to me as we wave to the waitress.

I lean in to kiss her. “Don’t.”

* * *

Rylee takes my command to heart, and we end up making out like teenagers in the back of the taxi. Lust blurred our minds to the point we left our dinner in the car, realizing it only after the cab has disappeared down the street.

Entering the elevator, I press our floor, and as soon as the doors close, I cage Rylee in the corner. Our hungry kisses attempt to make up for four lost years in the span of four floors. Lost in lust, we fail to notice the elevator doors open and then shut, the car rising but failing to match the high we are both experiencing. The doors opens on the top floor, an older couple enter, pressing the button for the lobby.

Rylee’s lipstick is smeared, her hair a mess and her skirt crooked, but she’s never looked hotter. Her flushed skin, rose-colored cheeks, and glower put me on my toes. I press our floor on the pad, and we ignore the older couple. I lock gazes with her and mouth the words I want you.

She lowers her chin and fails in her attempt to push back a blush. This time when the elevator dings, we spring out the door and race down the hall to our door. I swipe the key card and pump my fists when it flashes green. I step in and turn just in time to catch a leaping Rylee in my arms. Her legs wrap around my waist, and I carry her to bed.

In a mess of tangled limbs, we fall together onto the bed, the streetlight streaming through the window the only light in the room. I thread my hand through her hair and cup her beautiful face. “Are you ready for this?”

She pushes up onto her elbows, delivering yet another wonderful kiss to my lip. She scoots up and lifts her shirt over her head. “Does this answer your question?” My eyes lock in on her white bra. Her breasts appear ready to burst. “Did you lock the door?” she asks.

In our haze, I don’t recall even closing it. I leap off the bed and stride toward the doorway. An object on the floor captures my attention, the bright gold-and-black strips distinct. I shut the door and secure the lock. “There’s an envelope on the floor.” I pick it up and walk back to the bed.

“What type of envelope?” Rylee asks, sitting up.

I wave it. “Looks race related.”

Rylee scoots to the edge of the bed, her feet landing on the floor. She pushes her tangled hair out of her face. “Maybe they’re upgrading our rooms for the night.”

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