AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Rachel jumps up and down and shrieks excitedly. “Oh my god.” Her eyes find mine, and for a moment, we’re frozen in time. Her cheeks are flushed and rosy, her eyes dancing, and I hope I can convey all the things I want to say with my gaze. Maybe I succeed, because she blows me a kiss before hurrying to the stage. Nicole offers Rachel her ribbon, and the two women stare at each other awkwardly for a moment before Rachel says, “Thank you.”
Nicole doesn’t miss a beat. She smiles and says, “Thank you, Ms. Sorrell.”
At least their exchange was polite. After the rest of the winners are announced, we file out, and in the bustle, Rachel ends up beside me. She glances over at me with the most beautiful smile.
“Congratulations.” I clear my throat, suddenly as nervous as when I asked her to prom.
“Hey, thanks.” She nods with a silly grin. “I may still call you Pumpkin King, if you don’t have any objections.”
I nod at her. “Pumpkin King it is.”
She grins, and I can’t stop the words from falling from my lips. “Would you have dinner with me?”
“Jack Anderson, are you asking me out on a date?”
“If you’ll have me. And as long as you’re the one that shows up,” I tease.
“Pick me up at seven.” She leans closer, pressing a kiss right beside my mouth, and I resist the urge to turn and capture her mouth with mine.
* * *
When I asked Rachel to dinner, I hadn’t had time to really concoct a plan for the evening. It was spur of the moment, and I threw myself for a loop by asking, but once she said yes, the hard part was coming up with a plan. Dinner, yes, of course, but it has to be a spectacular date. I need to pull out all the stops and make this the best night of her life.
So, dressed in the fanciest suit I own, I ring her doorbell promptly at six fifty-eight. She answers in a flash, dressed beautifully. The dress fits her body perfectly. It’s strapless, the hem resting just above her thighs, and when I step inside, the color and design ring a bell.
“Is this…?”
“It is.” She flushes, glancing down. “My prom dress. It’s been altered, obviously.”
“You had it done quickly. I just asked you to dinner three hours ago.”
She rolls her eyes, laughing at me. “I had it done a few weeks ago, just on a whim. I thought it might come in handy.”
“Well, it turned out perfect.” I take her hand, spinning her slowly so I can admire the whole ensemble. “You’re absolutely stunning. Shall we?”
She grabs her clutch from the table next to the door and lets me lead her out of the house. I open the passenger-side door for her, making sure she gets in okay, and then close it gently before making my way around the car. Once we’re on the road, I reach over and cover her hand with mine, and she threads our fingers together.
“What’s on the agenda tonight?”
“Well, you’ll have to be patient. We’re heading to dinner first.” I squeeze her hand, and she smiles over at me.
“You’re teasing me.”
“I would never.” I flash her a grin before focusing on the road again.
“I like to be teased,” she whispers, and I swallow my dirty reply because we’re not there yet.
“Rachel, I’d love nothing more than to pull this car over and tease you until you cried with pleasure.”
Her quick intake of breath is like a straight shot of arousal directly to my dick. “You would?”
“Yes, I fucking would. But I’m not going to yet. I have a plan, and I’m not running away from it this time. So, where did you hang your ribbon?” I change the subject, mentally willing my hard-on to calm down, and Rachel follows my lead.
By the time we reach The Lantern, we’re both on our best behavior, and as the valet speeds away in my car, I take her arm in mine. “Shall we?”
“We shall,” she agrees, leading the way.
“Welcome to The Lantern, Mr. Anderson, Ms. Sorrell,” the hostess greets us. “Your room is ready for you.”
