“I’m here for a pretty ridiculous reason, actually.” I paused, leaning a little closer until my hand was hovering just at her fingertips. “I need a date.”
“Well, don’t we all,” she scoffed as her eyes scanned the room.
“Yeah, but I need a legit date. Tomorrow. To a Valentine’s Day Ball. All expenses paid for by me, of course. Plus, there’s free food and an open bar. All you’ve got to do is be charming with a bunch of boring doctors for a few hours. Pretend like we’re together.”
“Wait.” Her eyes shot up, hands retreating to her lap. “You don’t want to have sex with me?”
I glanced around, praying no one had heard her frank question. “Maybe we should chat somewhere else about this.”
“No, I’m not going anywhere with you until I know more. I thought people used this app for sex… I thought…well…” She frowned, twisting at a curl nervously. “I thought you wanted me.”
My eyes bulged in my head. If only she knew the filthy thoughts filtering through my brain right now. I did want her, I wanted her so fucking bad it pained me, literally, but I wanted the date, too. I wanted both. “Carly.” I reached across the table and grazed my fingertips across her knuckles. “I want all of you.”
“So…” she breathed, eyes riveted to mine. “What now?”
Jesus, I’d give anything to see those pretty eyes simpering up at me as she rested her knees on the floor. I adjusted under the table, painfully aware of the erection biting against my zipper and the gorgeous girl sitting across the table causing it. “Now, we get you a dress.”
“A dress?” Her eyebrows nearly shot into her hairline.
“This is semiformal. I’d take you dressed in a garbage bag, but they might stop us at the door.”
A soft blush crept up her cheeks and made my cock pound. How was someone so sweet, so very clearly na?ve about relationships, sitting across from me at this moment? I’d swiped left so many goddamn times on that app I’d felt the ache in my thumb for an hour. But then she’d popped up and, like lightning charging through my veins, I’d known she was the one.
“I don’t think there’s anything open right now.” A frown pulled at her lips.
“I know a place that’s open till nine.” I snagged her hand in mine, pulling her to her feet from the chair. “Ready to do some shopping?”
Her smile twitched up at the corners, and I realized I still held her hand. It felt so natural I’d forgotten to let it go. Well, I wasn’t about to break our connection now.
“Let’s go find a dress, I guess.”
“I can just hear the enthusiasm in your voice,” I said dryly.
“I’m just not used to taking gifts from men,” she said as I pushed open the door of the coffee shop.
“Well, get used to it, Carly. I like to give shit to my friends sometimes.” I steered us down the street.
“Friends?” Her steps faltered. I turned, shaking my head when I saw her, one hand to her chest. “We’re friends, now? This is all moving so fast.”
My laugh echoed on the cool breeze. “I make friends fast.”
“What if I’m not looking for a friend?” She stepped closer. My heart throttled up into my throat, my hands itching to fist into her lush hair and pull her lips against mine. I wanted them bruised and tender; I wanted the memory of me all over her.
“Just what is it you are looking for, Carly?” I snaked a palm behind her neck, closing the distance between us. She shuddered when I trailed my nose along the shell of her ear, hovering at her earlobe as her breathing grew labored. My other hand circled her curvy waist, dragging her another step closer until she was plastered against all the hard angles of my body. “What do you need?”
Her thighs shifted, the sweet scent of her arousal invading my senses, driving me fucking mad with need for her. I’d take her right here on the street if I thought she’d let me. And I had a feeling she would…in a dark alleyway, up against a brick wall… But that wasn't right. This girl deserved so much better than that. And I wanted to give her everything she deserved.
“I…” She sucked in a shallow breath. “I think I need a dress.”
I grinned, enjoying the way her body softened against mine. “That’s just the beginning.”
I locked our hands again as we turned and continued down the street. “Bloomingdale's is just around the corner. Think we can find something in there?”
“Bloomingdale's!” Carly stumbled to a stop again, but this time, I wouldn’t let her, forcing her along with me.