Page 43 of The Right Woman

My thumb brushes some flour off her pink cheek, and I chuckle. “Nah, just for being you. But yeah. The blow job was an excellent bonus.”

“I need to go home to take care of Freckles. And shower and stuff…”

I slap my palms together to clean them and eye a roll longingly. “That’s fine. Ugh… One more and I’ll take you.”

She heads upstairs to get dressed while I tidy up and store the rest of my newest addiction in some plastic wrap while patting my full belly. When she returns, I plant a kiss on her cheek and lead her to the truck.

It’s a sunny winter’s day as we head toward her place, warm rays streaming into the cabin. I grab her hand, placing it on the console between us. When she glances at me with a grin, the ice surrounding my resolve melts as much as the weather. I needed this. I can’t lose it. Not now.

We stay silent on the drive, relaxed as we listen to some jazz. It feels like she’s always been here, or maybe I was just waiting for the right moment when my heart could grow enough to love her.

Love?

Where didthatword come from?

As I pull into her building’s parking lot, I give her a sidelong glance. Yeah. I think I could love this girl. Maybe I already do.

She grows especially quiet with her hand on the door handle. When I think she’ll give me a kiss and a goodbye, she pauses. Slowly, she turns to me and tears coat the bottom rim of her lashes. “Adon?”

“Yeah, Rosy?”

“Do you think my family wants to kill me?”

That does it. The vulnerability in her fragile brow, the shaking lips, the rapid rise and fall of her chest... I’m going to love theshitout of her until she knows her worth.

No matter what it takes. I’m in this.

I let my hands grip her tiny face and pull her close. “If they try, I’ll fucking end them.”

Chapter

Eighteen

PIPER

I’ve never beenthis nervous about a date before. But, honestly, I haven’t really had adatebefore. Sure, there have been times I’ve gone to clubs or maybe hung out at a party or someone’s house. Being picked up, dressed up, taken to a fancy place for an expensive dinner by a man in a full three-piece suit? Yeah…never.

It feels like I have nothing to wear that doesn’t make me look like a child next to Adon. He’ll probably look like he did at the club the first time I saw him, and I’ll be on his arm like a sparkly toy. A deranged animal. Maybe a common hooker.

As I flip through my vintage dresses, my lip finds its way under my teeth, my anxiety growing. Finally, I give up. There’s not enough time to buy somethingblackand normal. So I go with a bright green cocktail dress that has a sequined halter top and ends with organza flowers on the short, poofy skirt. Once I pair it with hot pink stilettos and ruffle my hair into place, I feel likeme, especially when I add some dangling peacock earrings.

If he’s really into me, he won’t mind, right? I don’t want to pretend anymore. And Adon makes me feel like I’m okay; he gives me space to become Piper.

When the knock comes on the door, I’m actually ready for once. Other than putting on some lipstick. And filling Freckles’s water bowl. And watering the houseplants. Adon stands by in his fitted black suit and watches me buzz around him and even offers to help.

“No, I’ve got it.” With a half step, I skirt around him with the watering can, but he grabs it from me and heads to the living area to water plants.

Snapping his fingers, he points to Freckles’s stuff. “You take care of the cat. I’ve got this. Then we can make our reservations.”

Stunned by his commanding voice, I smirk and say, “Yes, boss.”

He spins and arches one eyebrow. “That’syes, daddy.”

Well, now I’m soaked again. Great.

In the truck, I can’t stop fidgeting with things. It’s still chilly for being early spring and I forgot my jacket. Sensing this, Adon blares the heat and twists out of his suit coat at a red light. “Put this on.”

It’s toasty inside and smells like him, all manly and comforting. “Thanks,” I say, wrapping it around me.

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