Page 28 of The Vow We Made
8
Date Night
VICTORIA
It’s only been a week since Aiden appeared at my door, but it feels like eternity. I thought Saturday night would never get here, but I must say, Aiden has made the wait worthwhile when he arrives.
I love the slight stubble he’s grown in the last few days; it drifts along his jaw and up to his neat sideburns and waxed hair. I swear I see a hint of his tie underneath yet another heavy double-breasted overcoat, this time navy with silver buttons and I know I shouldn’t be looking at his legs of all things, but my mouth drops open at how muscular they look in those jeans. I hope to God, he doesn’t notice me ogling. The black boots on his enormous feet finish off his sartorial look and I haven’t even feasted on his brown eyes yet. At this point I wonder if I could be playing well out of my league.
When I stop staring—and believe me it’s hard when you have such a drop-dead gorgeous figure of a man in front of you—I think he might have noticed me looking him up and down.
“Victoria.” My name floats on his breath, causing my cheeks to flush. I’m unable to speak or move a muscle. “Youareexpecting me?”
He must think I’m such an idiot. “Yes, yes of course.” I stand back to let him in. “I’ll just get my coat.”
He enters the hall and I use the time while closing the door to bite my lip hard and stop my stupid mouth from grinning.How does he keep doing this to me?
“Wrap up warm,” he says firmly. “It’s cold out there tonight and we could be outside for a while.”
“Okay.” I can only wonder what kind of date would involve staying out on such a chilly evening.
I take my red coat from the stand and he’s immediately there, taking it from my hands and holding it open. “You look incredible.”
There’s a deep, sexy huskiness to his tone that causes butterflies right through my centre and flusters me. “Thank you.” In a bid to disguise my flushed face, I reach for my handbag from the side table and delve in for nothing in particular. I continue to rummage around, playing for time while trying to control my short breaths and pulling myself together. All the while I can sense he’s getting his fill, courtesy of the hall mirror.
My voice trembles when I ask, “Where are we going tonight? Your text hinted at cocktails, so I hope what I’m wearing is alright?”
“You’re perfect.” His smile melts my insides. “I’ve booked a taxi. It should be with us anytime now.”
“How very posh.”
I can’t believe I’ve just said that and internally cringe. I’ve gone into twat mode which always happens when I’m nervous. Thankfully his smile distracts me from my worry before he turns to open the door and gestures for me to go first. When I do, he takes my hand, causing a shudder of electricity down my arm to where our palms come together.
Out on the pavement, he looks down the street then back to me. “He’s meant to be here by now.”
“It might be quicker to go to the high street and hail a cab,” I say, looking the other way.
As if on cue, the familiar sound of a ticking engine draws up to park beside us, together with another familiar sound. “Aiden my boy,” Will’s voice booms from the open window.
“You took your time. Where have you been?” Aiden asks with fake annoyance.
“Saturday nights are one of my busiest. I don’t normally take advanced bookings, so you’re lucky.” He nods towards me. “Evening love. You alright?”
“Hi Will, nice to see you again.”
“Likewise,” he replies with a wink then turns his attention back to Aiden. “You getting in or what?”
Aiden opens the door to the cab and holds out his warm, smooth hand to help me. I really wouldn’t mind if he didn’t let go, but of course, it’s only a few seconds before we’re seated inside and his touch falls away.
The traffic is light for a Saturday night and our journey is made that bit quicker by our easy conversation, weaved between some friendly banter from Aiden and Will. Despite Aiden’s best efforts to pay, Will isn’t having any of it. “Let me know if you want a ride home folks,” he calls and is drowned out by the rattle of the cab engine as he pulls away with his hand out of the window; one-minute waving and the next with his thumb in the air.
“Dick.” Aiden beams as we wave him off.
“I think he’s lovely.” I continue to wave but sense his body move towards me, so I coyly turn in his direction. There’s a glint in his eyes when he asks, “Do I have some competition?”
“I didn’t mean it like that.” I laugh, taking in his beautiful smile and gorgeously sculpted features.
“There’s no harm in keeping a man on his toes, but I’d draw the line at my brother being involved.”
