“Oh my God—we got caught fooling around on the Zamboni. If you would have told me that yesterday, I wouldn’t have believed you.”

I chuckle, pushing myself off the wall and putting my arm around her waist as I guide her toward the exit and our waiting car. “For the record, I’m pretty sure we just broke every rule in George’s imaginary handbook.”

“He’s going to be scarred for life.”

I doubt that.

But I am going to have to apologize—probably with an expensive bottle of whiskey that will make him forget this ever happened.

Ha!

We step out into the cool night air, the crisp breeze wrapping around us and making her shiver slightly. Instinctively, I pull her closer, rubbing her arm as I lead her to the car parked at the curb.

We climb in. Buckle up.

Hold hands in the back seat.

“This was so much better than cake,” she murmurs, her voice just above a whisper—wistful and content. Her words remind me of the promise I made back at the restaurant, but the look in her eyes now tells me she doesn’t feel shortchanged.

Not even close.

I look down at our hands, her fingers warm and snug between mine; I can’t help grinning like a damn fool.

Best fucking night ever.

The driver glances at us in the rearview mirror, his expression carefully neutral, though I can tell he’s curious. “Home, sir?”

I look at her again, letting the question hang in the airbetween us for a moment. Her cheeks flush slightly under my gaze, she doesn’t look away. Instead, she raises an eyebrow.

“My place?” I suggest, my tone casual, but laced with anticipation.

She doesn’t hesitate. “Only if there’s dessert.”

The corners of my mouth lift into a slow grin. “Oh, there’s dessert.”

Austin gives a curt nod.

Bites her lower lip.

And just like that, the dick between my legs is hard again…

14

austin

His apartment is insane.

No.

Scratch that—this is not an apartment.

Sure, it’s in abuilding…but Gio is at the top, in the penthouse, and the view is sick. The moment the elevator doors slide open directly into his penthouse, I’m greeted by floor-to-ceiling windows framing a city view so stunning it takes my breath away. The glittering skyline stretches endlessly, like it was pulled straight out of a social media post.

It’s equal to—if not better than—the view from the restaurant.

The open floor plan is sleek but warm, modern without feeling cold. A plush gray sectional dominates the living area, with deep cushions that practically beg to be lounged in. There’s a fireplace built into the wall and a massive TV mounted above it—because of course there is.

He's a guy, isn’t he?They love that shit.