Page 44 of The Right Woman

“You look amazing, by the way.”

“Really? Not too, um, sparkly? Or young?”

The corner of his lip raises in a sly grin. “I like you sparkly and young. It’s how I met you and how I’ll always see you.”

Now my heart is as warm as my body. My smile matches his as I settle back in the seat.

We pull into the parking lot of a restaurant I’ve only heard of, but never dared to enter. Adon gets out and rushes to my side of the truck, then opens my door, offering me his hand. Like we’re on a real date. He even makes me feel like we are when he ushers me inside the restaurant and tells the host his name for the reservation.

“I’ve never been here before,” I tell him.

“Me, neither.” He pulls out my chair, and I place his coat on the back before he sits down across from me.

“Really? That surprises me.”

“Why?” Crystal goblets of water are placed in front of us, and when he takes a sip from his, I mimic him.

“I just assume you and your ex-wife would have been here.”

“Nah, we didn’t do stuff like this.”

While I open the menu and look at the selection of foods I don’t recognize, my eyes glance up at him. He’s watching me carefully. “Piper, I haven’t felt this way about anyone. I need you to understand that.”

I’ve heard lines before. Usually from married men. My shield goes up to protect myself, despite the serious look in his deep chocolate eyes. “That sounds sweet, Adon. Thanks for saying it. I’ll have lobster.”

A flush spreads up his neck and across his cheeks. “I’m not just saying it, Rosy. You’re my girl and we established it. I-I know it’s fast, but I think for your safety you should stay with me. Things aren’t right out there, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”

My mouth drops open as my breathing falters. “You want me to moveinwith you?”

It all just seems like a bad idea. He’ll probably have me get rid of my furniture first, then my clothes, then my cat and plants… I can just imagine living with Adon and theruleshe’d set up for me.

“Yeah. I liked last night, and I want more.” He grows quiet for a moment, then says, “I want that every day.”

As I choke on a reply, the waiter comes over to take our orders. “She’ll have the lobster and steak with an apple martini. I’d like the same, but with a double of bourbon. Best you’ve got.”

“Hey! I didn’t actually want lobster!” Scrambling, I look at the menu while the server looks between us both.

“Okay, what will you have then, miss?”

“Um, can I have a few more minutes?”

“Of course, madam.”

Adon releases a heavy sigh that almost blows out the candle sitting between us. “I thought you’d want me to order for you when you said?—”

“I don’t.”

“Piper… You’re on thin fucking ice right now with me.”

My phone dings with a text from Essa, and I ignore his threat to respond.

Essa

Are you busy? I need a chaperone…

Me

I’m sorry, babe. I can’t. On a terrible date with some asshole.

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