Page 66 of Summer Kisses

When her stomach rumbled, we sat down, and the meal was served. I'd requested seafood dishes and a chocolate cake to share for dessert.

When we were finished eating, the butler escorted us to the gardens. The rain had slowed to an occasional drip, but he handed me an umbrella just in case. We walked hand in hand on the paths, enjoying the evening.

"I can't believe we have this place to ourselves."

"It's really nice." I wasn't sure what to expect when I booked the evening, but it had far exceeded my expectations, and it appeared to be the perfect date for Hazel.

"No one's ever gone to this much trouble on a date with me before."

I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, pulling her in close. "You deserve this and so much more."

"It's probably because we started out as friends. We know each other on a different level than other couples."

"Any man who dates you should take the time to get to know you on this level. It doesn't take a genius to know a librarian would enjoy an evening in a library."

Hazel shook her head, a smile playing on her face. "You're right."

Meeting her desires wasn't complicated and shouldn't be a difficult feat. I wanted her to see me as more than a friend, someone who could provide her with everything she ever wanted and desired or push her to get those things for herself. I wanted to be the man at her side during the day and in her bed at the end of the night.

I wanted everything. But it was too soon to have that conversation with her.

When we reached the gazebo at the center of the gardens, Hazel walked inside and turned to face me. She lifted her wine glass. "Thank you for taking me on the perfect first date."

"It was my pleasure to watch you enjoy the books and the ambiance."

"It couldn't have been with a better man," Hazel said as she went up on tiptoes and kissed me. I held her to me, deepening the kiss and hoping this was the beginning of our happily-ever-after.

Chapter Seventeen

HAZEL

On the way home, we held hands, and my heart beat in anticipation of the evening spread out before us. Dalton wouldn't be interrupting us, and we had the house to ourselves.

Something had happened tonight. I'd fallen deeper in love with Brady. I wanted to show him how much I appreciated the thoughtfulness of the date. Brady knew me inside and out.

It might have a lot to do with our friendship, but he was in tune with me and my desires. It was a heady feeling.

When he parked in front of his house, the rain picked up. "Want to make a run for it?"

I nodded, and we both got out at the same time, ducking and running through the rain. By the time I got to the porch, I was soaked. I couldn't help but laugh as Brady wiped the water from his face.

Inside, he closed and locked the door and then led the way upstairs to our bedroom. There was no need to talk. We could read each other now, and both of us needed to be close. He grabbed towels from the bathroom, drying my hair and body, then doing the same for himself while I removed my wet clothes and set them aside.

Shivering, I climbed under the covers, waiting for Brady to join me. As soon as the bed dipped, his hands were on me, moving me to straddle his body. He draped the blankets over my back. "Do you want to take a hot shower?"

I settled over his hardening dick, my hands splayed on his chest. "We probably should, but I'd rather do something else."

He raised a brow. "And what's that?"

"I want you," I said simply before kissing him.

His hands cupped my breasts, his fingers sliding over the taut nipples. I moaned into his mouth, needing more.

I slid over his dick, heightening the need for each other. I was slick with desire, the fire burning hot inside me. I needed Brady to put it out. I thought about how amazing our date was and the thought that Brady had put into it, and I let my body do the talking.

I was so grateful to be here right now with this man. The one I'd dreamed about taking this step with forever. This couldn't be a fluke or a means to an end. It felt so much bigger than a fake arrangement.

There was no way we could walk away from this and go back to being just friends. Tonight, he was mine, and I wasn't going to let him go.

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