Page 48 of The Boyfriend Effect (Frisky Business 1)
“Good,” he whispers, leaning in to press his full lips against mine in a hot, eager kiss that ends way too soon. After he releases me, he heads back to the car and starts the engine.
I watch as he and Rosie drive away. I’m still cemented to the spot where he left me when I hear Don approaching me from behind.
“Seems like a handful, that one,” he says with a grunt, patting my shoulder.
I’m not sure if he means Rosie or Hayes, but either way, my answer is the same. “You have no idea.”17* * *HAYESI haven’t been this nervous for a date in—well, ever. Wining and dining have always come easy to me. That’s my sweet spot. But doing this with Maren? When the stakes are so much higher than they ever were before? It’s a whole new ball game.
I want tonight to be different. Special. I want Maren to feel worshipped like she never has before, like no man has ever made her feel. That’s why tonight, I’ve got more than one trick up my sleeve.
“So, where are we going again?” Maren’s brow furrows slightly, making the faintest little crease between her eyebrows.
She’s sitting in the passenger seat, wearing the kind of low-cut emerald-green dress that makes me want to pull over and pull her onto my lap. But for now, I push those thoughts aside and stay focused on navigating us through rush-hour traffic.
“Out,” I say, lacing my fingers through hers over the center console.
She smiles and clucks her tongue. “Are you going to be elusive and mysterious all night?”
“Well, that depends. Is it working for you?”
She blushes, and I can feel the heat from her palm. I know what blushing does to her. Her chest will turn pink, and her breathing grows rapid. I’d love to investigate what’s happening between her legs, but tonight is about anything but instant gratification. It’s about pacing ourselves and luxuriating. Tonight, we’re going to take our time.
Something has shifted between us recently. Maybe it’s how close she’s growing with Rosie, or maybe it’s because I got to see her in her element at Riverside. Now that I’ve seen her in her environment, I can’t imagine that place existing without her.
Maren breathed life into the old tiled hallways. She brought hope and positivity and joy. She’s special in so many different ways I never knew about.
Around old people? I’m awkward. People who are sick and in pain? Hell, I’m useless. I never know the right thing to say. But Maren shines like she was born to do this, to help them relive their best memories, to help them transition into a new chapter with grace. She’s comforting and funny and so natural, I have no idea how she does it. I’m damn proud of her.
We arrive at the restaurant, and I pull up to the valet. Maren’s eyes grow wide, and she stares at me in horror, ignoring the man waiting to open her door and help her out of the car.
“Hayes, this is too much. This place is so fancy! This is like, where my grandparents went for their fiftieth wedding anniversary.”
I nod and give her a reassuring smile. “And this is where you and I are having dinner tonight.”
“Are you sure?”
“They have this crème brûlée that I’m almost positive will be your new favorite dessert.”
She pauses, chewing at the inside of her cheek. “Okay, fine. But I really wish you would have told me we were going somewhere so nice. I would have worn better shoes.”
“Dove, you could be wearing a trash bag and still be the most beautiful girl in the entire city. These assholes are lucky to have you inside their establishment.”
She blushes again, and this time I’m fortunate enough to watch the flush spread over her. God, she’s fucking gorgeous.
Down, boy. Pacing is going to be harder than I thought.
We’re escorted inside the lavish building by the doorman, and once inside, are met with a bustling dining room full of white tablecloths and a view of the city I haven’t seen in a while. Twinkling lights of the buildings in the distance, and beyond, the dark water of the lake.
Maren lets out a soft gasp, and I place my hand on the small of her back as a hostess leads us to our table next to the floor-to-ceiling windows, just as I requested. We order a bottle of wine for the table, and the server nods before setting a basket of sliced bread between us. When he leaves, Maren looks at me, her eyes still wide and slightly glazed over, a small, pleased smile forming on her lips.
“This is . . . exquisite,” she says softly, looking wistfully from the basket of bread to the view beside her.
“Well, don’t speak too soon. We still have to see if they get the steaks right.” I grin.
