Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
I go slow with my makeup, and apply more than I usually wear, but still not much by most standards. I think of my red lipstick like war paint—not that I’m going to battle, but I do need extra courage.
With plain black heels and a small beaded clutch, I’m ready to go.
When Gray arrives to pick me up, he buzzes from the lobby, and after a final check in the mirror, I go down to meet him. I’ve been worrying about my own appearance, but I wasn’t prepared for Gray’s.
I see him before he sees me, and I have trouble speaking, because the man knocks the breath from my chest. He’s wearing black pants and a long-sleeved pale blue shirt, both items hugging his body like they were made for him. The clothing makes his blue eyes even more vivid.
His mouth is pure temptation, and after all the kissing I’ve been doing, I wish I could kiss him right now, before we even go anywhere. And maybe take him right back up to my apartment.
“Ava, you look beautiful.” The curve of his lips as he takes me in does wild, fluttery things to all of my insides.
“Hi. Thank you.” Brilliant, Ava. All of my confidence has just washed away in a tidal wave of lust.
“Are you ready to go?” He offers his arm, and I take it, grateful for the support, and also thrilled to touch him.
He continues to survey me as we head out the door, and I’d be self-conscious and worried that I don’t look good, but his expression makes his admiration clear.
“You really look gorgeous tonight,” he murmurs as he presses a kiss near my ear before opening his car door for me.
I can’t believe someone who looks like him is complimenting me. “You look very handsome,” I finally manage to say.
I sink down into the passenger seat of his sports car, luxurious leather cradling my body. The spicy scent of Gray surrounds me, and I inhale a chestful as I look around at the spotless, shiny, very expensive-looking interior of his car.
When Gray is seated beside me in the small space, the fluttering inside me picks up pace. This man does something to me, and I need to get a grip on myself. I’m not going to be good company on this date if I just sit around drooling over him.
“Were you able to get a reservation at Mon Bijou?”
Gray gives me a curious look before he says, “Of course.”
“How did you manage that?”
“I told them I was bringing the most beautiful woman in Las Vegas. They asked me what night I wanted to come.”
I feel my cheeks heat as I laugh. “No, seriously. How did you do it?”
For the first time in my life, I understand the phrase panty-melting grin, because that’s the look he’s giving me right now.
“That first part is true, and also, my uncle knows the owner.”
“Ahh, okay. Well, I’m very excited. I wasn’t going to even try to go to this restaurant for a couple of years, if then.”
“I hope it meets your expectations.” He rests his hand on my bare knee then, and I can no longer remember where we’re headed or even what my name is.
AVA
After a short—or long; who knows?—drive, Gray rolls up under a porte cochère, where he hands off his keys to the valet. He escorts me into the building and straight to an elevator. It’s only the two of us in there, and my date looks like he wants to eat me for dinner. The feeling is quite mutual.
A hostess greets us when we step out, her eyes lingering on Gray. As she leads us to our table, a few other women turn their heads in his direction. But he only has eyes for me.
The strength of his attention is intoxicating, and it helps me believe I fit in among all of the glamorous people we’re passing.
Gray not only scored a reservation, we’re seated next to the window. It makes me wonder who his uncle is, that he has this much pull. The sun has just set, and the sky is ablaze with streaks of orange, yellow, and purple, stretching out to the silhouetted mountains that border the city. The view is almost as stunning as the man I’m with.
Gray orders champagne and, when we each have a glass, he lifts his. “Cheers to the start of something new.”
I clink my glass to his before taking a small sip. Another first; I’ve never had champagne. It tickles my nose, and tastes very good. It would be easy to drink too much, so I remind myself to go slow. I don’t want to get fuzzy-headed like I did when Erik took me to Gray’s bar.
The waiter had seemed impressed by Gray’s choice of champagne, making me think he ordered a particularly expensive variety. When we’re presented with menus, I try to hide my surprise. I figured this place was spendy, but they don’t broadcast their prices on social media, and my imagination hadn’t stretched anywhere near as high as the numbers listed next to the entrees.