This is just a date. One of many, according to the man who planned it. Just a regular evening out with a guy who happens to be crazy about me. His words, not mine. Crawford hasn’t been shy about his feelings. Quite the opposite, really.
Since our impromptu movie night where Millie conked out halfway through the animated film, he’s been taking advantage of every second we spend alone. Getting reacquainted has made our near-parting almost worth it. During these heated moments, Crawford has hedged around the L-word. He gets close and veers off, saying everything except the one I’ve been secretly waiting for. Maybe I should spill my guts before he does. Lord knows I’m close to bursting at this point.
I shake off the heady sensation and focus on reapplying my lipstick. Why am I nervous? There’s no reason to be. Plus, Millie is with us. There won’t be any deep and heavy confessions until the moon kisses the stars. I walk back to the table on my teetering heels with that solid fact in mind. When I get within a few strides of my seat, I stumble to a stop. Crawford is smiling at me, appearing as if everything is normal. My daughter, on the other hand, is very noticeably absent.
“Where’s Millie?”
My newly solo date widens his grin. “Josey picked her up.”
I’m sure my eyes are near bulging. “What? Why? Is she sick?”
Crawford chuckles and pats my empty seat. “It’s all been planned, Kee. The rest of tonight belongs to us.”
“Oh.” I peer around the bustling section we’re cornered in. “Did you order dessert?”
“We’ll be savoring it at my place.” He reaches for my hand, placing soft kisses along my knuckles.
“Okay.” How can I argue with that?
“Ready to go, love?”
A shudder rolls through me at his choice of endearment. So close, yet not quite right. I don’t need to exchange verbal sentiments. He’s showing me in more ways than those three little words ever could. His actions have been shouting from the rooftops for the past week. I mean, one fast glance at the guy shows a changed man. And that’s just on the surface. A fancy shirt and tie don’t impress me, though. The way he listens and lavishes us with attention and strives to be the best for himself means so much more than any fancy meal. But I’m not complaining about the combo platter of goodness he’s spoiling me with.
“Keegan?”
I shake off those wayward thoughts. “Oh, sorry. You have me a bit dazed.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“Very much so.” A ripple of heat spreads from my lower belly.
A satisfied noise tumbles off his succulent lips. “I’m about to make it even better.”
“How is that even possible?” My voice is breathy and wanton. There’s no use trying to mask my desire at this point.
“You’ll see.”
And he does, in quite a hurry. We make the drive to his house in under fifteen minutes. The woods are pitch black, but there’s a soft glow coming from his loft windows. Someone has definitely been planning something.
Before I can take a single step, Crawford scoops me into his arms. A startled yelp escapes me while I wiggle in his hold. “What’re you doing?”
“I don’t want you to trip in the dark wearing those sexy as fuck shoes.”
With a purring exhale, I press kisses along the base of his throat. “That’s very thoughtful of you.”
After climbing the winding staircase, Crawford unlocks the door. He sets me down in the foyer with gentle care. It takes me a moment to gather my bearings, but all the air leaves me an instant later. His studio space flickers with flameless light from numerous electric candles arranged across every surface. A blend of loose and bundled wild flowers decorate the floor and his bed.
“Ford, what is all of this?” I cover my gaping mouth with a shaky hand.
He presses into me from behind. “I picked all of those for you. Figured it was overdue.”
“That’s very sweet of you.” I peek at him over my shoulder and suck in a rasp. While I was distracted by the display, Crawford started stripping. Lust rolls off him in rapid waves. I allow the current to sweep me away without hesitation. Appreciating his sense of urgency, I turn to get a better view.
He’s already ditched the fancy button-up and silk tie. Only a plain undershirt conceals his upper body from my starving gaze. The white cotton stretches across his wide chest, each subtle shift pulling at the seams. His pants are unfastened at the waist, falling to pool around his ankles with a single tug. Crawford steps forward, a hunter tracking his next meal. Dessert might be the last course, but I plan to come first. Based on the blatant hunger in his light eyes, he couldn’t agree more.
Crawford traces the thin straps crossing over my shoulders. “I want to make love to my girlfriend. All. Night. Long.”
“Oh, you’re smooth, with all of these surprises.” Tingles break across my chest, tightening my nipples into stiff peaks.
His finger lifts a string and snaps the stretchy fabric against my skin. “Is it working?”
“Absolutely.” I tilt my head to the side, granting him better access to the dip at my neck. He takes advantage and draws a path along that sensitive area with his nose. A sighing wheeze curls off my tongue. “And I might have a little secret of my own.”
He growls against my ear, nipping at the lobe. “Tell me.”
“I’m not wearing any panties.”
He grips the elegant draping at my hips, bunching the slinky material in his fists. “Even at dinner?”
I shake my head. “It’s very freeing, and a bit naughty.”
He nibbles along my
