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Roger’s eyes light up. “My wife reads a ton and likes to review the books she finishes on social media.”
Excited, I whip out my phone. “Really? Can I have her handle? I also review books anonymously, just for fun. I always love meeting other people who love reading as much as I do.” He smiles and pulls out his phone to find the information. I add her across all platforms, and it looks like we love reading all of the same books, even the spicy ones.
Dylan clears his throat. “So…”Oh, right, I was supposed to get him out of this.
“Sorry everyone, I forgot I promised someone I would introduce them to Dylan. I’ll bring him right back, I promise!” He smiles down at me, so much mischief in his eyes. We shake everyone’s hands and walk away.
“I’m sorry about that Isabelle woman, I promise I wasn’t flirting with her.”
I frown at him. “Why are you sorry? I trust you, and I don’t think you would be dumb enough to hit on another woman while you have this”—I gesture to my dress—“as a date.”
His eyes slowly move down my body and back up, showing off his gorgeous dimples while he bites his lower lip. His gaze makes me a little self conscious—I feel naked. Bringing his drink to his lips, he says into his glass, “You are a hell of a lot more than just my date, Emma.” Someone walks up to talk to us, but he never takes his eyes off me.
“Hey, Dylan, how’s it going?”
He reluctantly looks, for just a quick glance, to address him, “Hey, good to see you Matt.”
Matt is about to ask Dylan something, but then looks at me curiously. “I’m sorry, have we met? You look so familiar.”
“Oh, I don’t think so. I haven’t been to one of these in years.” He looks familiar too, but I can’t place him.
Dylan wraps his arm around me, placing his hand on my hip. His thumb strokes back and forth as he replies, “You might remember her from alongtime ago. I used to bring Emma with me to events and mixers, back in the day.” The little touch has my body on fire.
Matt’s eyes widen. “See, I knew I recognized you! You were Dylan’s girlfriend!”
“No longer past tense.”And there’s the possessive Dylan that I haven’t seen in a while.
I decide to make light of it. “Plot twist! But you know, now that I think about it, I remember you! You were one of my friend’s clients when I worked for the magazine. Wow, you haven’t changed a bit!” Dylan’s hand squeezes my side.
Matt lets out a small laugh. “Katie? Man, that takes me back! That was what? Fifteen years ago?” He shakes his head. “So, you guys are dating again? That’s wild! Guess you should have wifed her up the first time.” I stiffen a little at those words. Back then, that’s exactly where I thought we were headed.
“Oh, don’t worry, I plan on doing it this time around.” Dylan says it under his breath to himself, but I still hear him. I have a feeling Matt did too based on his smirk. I admit, the thought had crossed my mind, but we haven’t really talked about it.
“Well, it’s great to see you again. What are you up to these days, Emma?”
I tell him briefly how I got into publishing, and Matt tells me about how he and Dylan are going to be working together again, after all these years. I feel a slight pinch on my hip—he wants an out again.“Well, Matt, I’m sorry to do this, but I need a refill on my drink. It was great catching up!” We excuse ourselves and make our way over to the bar for another round. He wasn’t lying earlier, he hasn’t stopped touching me since I arrived here.
We meet other people Dylan works with, and after what feels like the 400th person he’s introduced me to, my emotional capacity is drained. I am not an extrovert, but I am able to pass as one in social settings. It just always takes a toll on my energy. Dylan is kind of the same way, we would both rather curl up on the couch with a good book than go out to these sorts of events. He leans down, his voice low enough that only I can hear, “I feel like you’re itching to grab your e-reader that Iknowis in your purse.”
I had just taken a sip of my drink and almost spit it out laughing. “I mean, can I?” I look up at him through my lashes, he’s smiling ear to ear.
His hand moves to his glasses to adjust them. “Want to get out of here?”
“Yes,please!” I may have said it just a tad too loud and enthusiastically. He moves his fingers to my chin and brings his lips to mine. His kisses have been warm and sweet all night, but I know he is holding back. “Did you get a room here, or do we have to head back home?”
“I got a two-room suite, just in case we had too much to drink.”Two rooms? Nope, cancel that reservation. We only need one, mister. I am going to ride you until my legs give out.He laughs, and I realize there is a 98% chance that I said that out loud.Shit.He takes my hand, and gestures to the exit. “E, I’m not canceling the reservation. I would like nothing more than to make love to you all night. But tonight, I just want to spend a few hours with you in my arms, decompressing from all this, then I’ll head off to my own room. Last time I rushed this, I almost lost you. I’m not making that mistake again.” Him not wanting to sleep with me just makes me want to sleep with him even more. “Come on, let's take a walk.” I am positive that my face is showing all of my emotions. I am kind of disappointed that he doesn’t want me tonight, but also thankful that he has been so patient with me. Thing is, I don’t want him to be patient anymore. I want to see him lose control, I’m ready for it.
We walk along the marina, the moon’s reflection following us. It reminds me of the cabin on the lake, so peaceful and quiet. Tonight’s a little chilly and he offers me his jacket. I decline, but he doesn’t listen, and drapes it over my shoulders anyway. I put it on all the way, wrapping myself in its warmth. After a few minutes, panic surges inside me. I stop us in our tracks, which forces him to look back at me. “Everything ok, E?”
“No, it’s not actually. I just realized, I forgot my bag in Ethan’s car!”
He smiles at me and tugs at my hand to keep walking. “It’s fine, I’ll order something to be delivered to the hotel.”
“Wait, that’s a thing? I mean I’ve done grocery delivery, but you can order clothes for same-day delivery too? At this time of night?” I pull out my phone. “What's the app? I’ll order right now.” He snatches my phone out of my grip, and throws it into the marina. “What the hell, Dylan?!”
“You think I was going to let you order things andlet you pay for it?” A frown I haven’t seen since I tried to order drinks at the baseball game appears.
“Fine…butmy phone?” I gesture to the water, where the fishes are no doubt scrolling my social media feed.
