Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
“I have a two-date rule,” I lie.
That perks him up. He even sits up straighter to puff out his chest. A chest that is no comparison to Taylor's. In fact, my mind is comparing everything about him to Taylor.
“Is that so?” He licks his lips. Gross. What if he tries to kiss me with that mouth? “Should we go ahead and plan that one now?” Frankie gives me a creepy smile that makes me wonder if it ever actually works for him.
“Why don’t we…” My heart drops while my stomach flutters with excitement. I can’t remember what I was going to say because I’ve locked eyes with Taylor.
He’s across the restaurant in a classic all-black suit that I’m willing to bet was made just for him. His long strides have him moving quickly in my direction. Taylor is big, the kind of big that makes me feel small and delicate when I stand next to him.
For a brief moment I wonder if he’s here on a date himself. The thought does things to me that I’m not going to touch on. I’m so not letting my brain go there.
It doesn’t matter, though, because it only takes half a second to know he’s headed straight for me. The pissed-off expression and hard lines etched in his handsome face have me pressing my thighs together. One look from him and I’m reminded why I have to stay away from him.
“Scout,” I hear Frankie say, snapping my attention back to him. “That name is strange. Isn’t it a boy's name?” I love my name, mostly because it’s a fuck you to my sperm donor father because he wanted me to be a boy.
Even though I know he’s coming, I jump when Taylor’s hand comes down hard on Frankie’s shoulder. Frankie sinks farther into his chair as he lets out a yelp.
“Get up,” Taylor tells Frankie, but he’s already yanking him up from his seat. It happens so fast the chair topples backward.
“What? Hey, man.” Frankie finally glances up to get a full view of Taylor. Any other words he was about to sputter die on his tongue.
“Go. Or you won’t be walking out of this restaurant,” Taylor threatens, and all Frankie does is nod.
Taylor releases his hold on him, and the weasel bolts out of the restaurant. Once he’s gone, Taylor grabs the chair and sets it back in place before dropping down into it.
“Scout,” he says with a half-smile. “You look stunning as always.”
I stare at him, and he stares right back. Thankfully the server appears so I don’t have to lose this contest.
“Can I get you started with some drinks?” he asks.
“We’ll have a bottle of the Chateau Lafite, but we’re ready to order as well. She hasn’t had anything but coffee since breakfast.”
“Hey, I—”
“Chips don’t count,” he says, cutting off my protest.
This man really does know everything. “We’ll both have the ribeye, medium rare. I’ll have the loaded baked potato, and my Scout will have the mashed potatoes, extra butter.” He hands the server the menus that he never bothered to open. “Also, the wedge with house dressing. It’s her favorite.”
“Coming right up.” The server takes the menus before hurrying off.
“Taylor, what are you doing here? I was on a date.”
“I’d be very careful if I were you. You’re on thin ice already, and those heels of yours aren’t helping.”
Chapter Two
TAYLOR
The server comes over with the bottle of wine and makes a whole production of opening it and pouring a sip into the glass. Scout is silent the whole time and pretends to be annoyed. She’s not annoyed I’m here; she’s annoyed my presence makes her wet.
“Sir?” The server presents me with the wine glass, but I nod to Scout. “My apologies. Ma’am?”
Scout keeps her eyes on me as she takes the glass from him and tastes the wine. “It’s perfect, thank you.”
While the server pours the wine, I don’t miss the way her tongue drags across her bottom lip. Or how she keeps crossing and uncrossing her legs under the table.
The second he’s gone, I reach under the table and grab the edge of her chair. “What are you doing?” she hisses as I slide it around the table and closer to me.
“You were too far away.”
“I was exactly where I wanted to be.” She huffs like she’s aggravated, but I see how she presses her thighs together.
“Liar.” I drape my arm over the back of her chair and lean close. “If you were exactly where you wanted to be, you’d be sitting on my face.”
Her eyes widen with shock, but I’m sick of her pretending she doesn't want me. I’ve made it clear from day one that I was willing to go the distance with her. Since then, she’s gone out of her way to either push me away or make me jealous.