Page 55 of Keeping Promises

“Why, Asher Harrington, are you nervous about asking me on a date?” I playfully smirk.

“Well, yeah, the last time I was serious about a date, I was fourteen and asked Alley Vale on a date to the bowling alley, and when I asked her to be my girlfriend, she threw up on my shoes. I’m hoping this goes a lot better this time.”

“Oh my God, who knew you were so romantic.”

He brings his index finger to his lips. “Shh, don’t tell anyone. You might mess up my bad-boy image.” He winks and gives me a smile that makes me thankful I’m already sitting down. “So, is that a yes?”

Slowly closing the distance between us, I whisper against his lips, “Yes, I would love to go on a date with you.” I contemplate pretending to get nauseous and gag but think better of it.

Instead of pressing his lips to mine, he leans down to my belly and presses his lips there. “You hear that, Peanut? Mommy and Daddy are going on a date.”

My laughter vibrates my body, jiggling my stomach against his mouth. I stare down at him with such admiration.

“I can feel you looking at me.” His eyes are focused on my belly, and his fingers dance along the bump.

“Well, I was hoping you were going to kiss me,” I confess.

He rises, bringing his hand to his chest in shock. “Kiss you? Damn, I haven’t even taken you out yet. What kind of man do you take me for?”The kind of man that gets a woman pregnant before dating her—but I keep that to myself.

Before I can blink, Asher has me on my back, nestled between my open thighs.

He trails kisses along the column of my neck. “I’m only kidding. Now that I’ve tasted these lips again, I’m going to savor them every chance I get.” And then his lips come crashing on mine, making good on his word.