Page 60 of Mr. Red

He flicks his wrist and looks around the room. Then he clears his throat. “I’ve never gotten anyone jewelry.”

“Why are you getting it for me?” I furrow my brow. “This is too much, Matt.” I push away the box towards him.

“I want you to have it, for the fiftieth time. Now turn around so I can put it on you.”

“That’s okay. I don’t need any jewelry. You’ve already done so much, including ruining my chance to take this outfit back.”

“Miss Scarlett,” he growls.

“Mr. Matt.” I sip my drink and stare him down.

“Fine. If I stare longer than you, you put the necklace on. If you stare longer than me, I’ll put it away.”

I rule at staring contests. Never mind that this game is something you play in middle school. “Deal.”

He crosses his arms over his chest, making those ginormous biceps apparent. It’s intimidating, so I copy him. I flex my biceps too and play his little game.

Thirty seconds go by without a blink. My eyes start to tear up. He twitches his wrist with the watch. It throws me off and I blink.

Goddamit.

He’s a competitive little buggar, but he doesn’t rub his win in my face. He picks up the box in a calm manner and holds the necklace apart, waiting for me to comply.

I turn around, shoulders slumped, so he can clasp the necklace around my neck. I turn the pendant around in my fingers and bite my lip. I have no idea how he foundsomething so perfect for me. I didn’t know I wanted a pearl necklace until right now, but this is a rebel version. It’s not made for stuffy dinner parties or weddings; it’s a unique necklace you wear whenever you want. I’m glad he won, not that he’ll ever know.

I down my drink and out the door we go. I was thinking he was driving, but a limo is waiting for us instead. Now I understand why we needed to dress up.

I sway as I walk in these high heels, almost stumbling. Matt notices of course. He holds out his arm so we can walk the rest of the way down to the limo without me falling on my face.

Once we’re in the limo, the driver pulls away from the curb. Matt puts the divider up, pulls me over on top of his lap, and starts kissing my neck. He knows just the right spot; where the sensation could almost make me orgasm without any other stimulation.

“I can’t wait until I can rip this outfit off for my dessert later.”

My eyes widen in terror. I think he’s forgetting ripping this would be the equivalent of throwing out half of my rent payment. I’m not going to let him.

Since we aren’t at dessert yet, I don’t argue. I want to focus on the moment. This delicious, tantalizing moment. I grab a handful of the hair at the back of his head and start making out with him. I get consumed with his hands cupping my face as he inserts his tongue. His hands caress down the length of my neck and then down further to holding my ass, moving me over the evidence of his desire. He hums into my mouth, vibrating my entire body.

Ten minutes later, the driver opens the door, interrupting our make out session. I duck to the side and swipe at my mouth, trying to make sure lipstick isn’t all overmy face. Matt holds his breath then steps out. He reaches his hand out for me to grab, and I take it.

I look up to a coastal building calledAnchored. It’s overlooking the water with wide-open doors and wooden touches all around.

We approach a hostess. “Hello! Do you have a reservation?”

“Yes, under Reding.”

“For two, outside?”

“Yes.”

“Right this way.”

The breeze rushes through my hair as we’re led out onto the patio where no one else is sitting. I look around, wondering where everyone else is on this beautiful evening. The hostess leads us to a table overlooking the ocean.

“This is stunning. Glad we get to see the sun go down.” I smile. He thinks of everything.

“You’re stunning,” he proclaims.

A waitress approaches. “Hello, welcome. Can I get you started with any drinks?”

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