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“I mean, don’t get me wrong, you’re still a giant pain in my ass, but I thought... I thought I knew you. But I’m just starting to scratch the surface, I think.”
Nolan looked up at me with big, bright puppy dog eyes, his entire expression shifting like I’d just told him the last piece of cake was his.
As far as I’m concerned, he can have whatever he wants tonight... and I do hope there’s cake.
“I hope that’s not a bad thing,” he whispered, his eyebrows furrowing.
Oh you sweet, sweet man...
Who the hell burned you?
I looked him in the eye, mustering as much seriousness as I could when I said, “No, Nolan. Not at all. In fact, I—”
Before I could spill all my secrets and newfound desires out on the table like a teenage girl, the waiter came with our food, shattering the strange sort of tension that had grown between us, and neither of us had any thoughts about anything but the absolutely fantastic food in front of us.
When we’d both devoured our meals plus dessert—a delectable chocolate horchata cake—and the check came, Nolan immediately tried to grab it.
“Ah, ah... paws off, baby.”
“Come on, we can split it. You don’t have to—”
“I want to, Nolan. Seriously, just let...” I sighed as I watched his face intently.
“Just let me take care of you.”
CHAPTER 15
Nolan
The Elderberry Fizzes must have gone to my head. There was no other way I could explain the complete disconnect that happened in my brain and body when Dawson told me he wanted to take care of me.
It was like an out of body experience. I’d had two serious boyfriends in my short, twenty-eight years of life. Well, one wasn’t really my boyfriend, he was more or less trying to figure his shit out, but we weren’t in the closet or anything, so I think it counts.
Because if it didn’t, that would mean I’ve only ever been in one serious relationship my entire life.
Sure, I’d thought of scenarios like this one when I was alone—usually because the crux of my thoughts were centered around what would happen after I’d been sufficiently wined and dined by a handsome man with eyes only for me, and usually in those thoughts, I ended up on my knees showing my praise and putting out like a homecoming queen.
God, I am so easy!
But I never thought I’d actually be here, in this situation, with Dawson Richards of all people.
Despite the alcohol, I found myself unable to speak, even though my thoughts were running a mile a minute.
Dawson’s eyebrows furrowed and he narrowed his gaze at me as he handed the check to the waiter.
“I—” I cleared my throat, finding the will to speak once more if only because I didn’t want to seem rude.
“Thank... you,” I managed to get the words out.
Dawson cast a smile I could only describe as dirty and wicked at me, his brown eyes lighting up with the signature golden energy that encapsulated him most of the time.
Drawing me closer, like a bug to the sun.
“Don’t thank me just yet. Wait till we get home,” he said, flashing me a flirtatious wink, causing my blush to hit me like a tidal wave.
I both hated and loved that with barely a few words and a look, this man could have me so flushed and flustered, so damn desperate for more of that hot, golden light that only he could shine.
I wanted more.
