Blind Date (16 page)

“You have no idea how sorry I am for dumping my sister on you these last couple days.”

I laugh at his apology. “You don’t need to keep apologizing to me. I already told you—she’s not bad company. Once she gets her excitement out of the way, at least.”

To say Izzy Hughes is exhausting is somewhat of an understatement. She’s twenty-six like me, but she has the endless energy of a room full of four year olds. There’s always something to be talked about or laughed over or a joke to be told. I’ve slept so well the last few nights… Although that could also be the fact I’ve spent the last three nights with Carter and there’s been more a little bit of sex.

He puts a plate of bacon and pancakes on the island in front of me, then gets his own and sits opposite em. He’s wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt, and I love seeing him in this instead of his usual white shirt and black pants uniform. It’s nice to see him as Carter the guy, instead of Carter the businessman.

“Were you serious about the dining room?” I ask him, reaching for orange juice. “Because I won’t lie, I’ve pretty much not stopped thinking about that awful décor.”

He looks up and grins while eating. He swallows, then speaks. “Sure. Go ahead. Just make sure to put a big ass fucking table in there, yeah?”

“Why do you need a big ass table? You told me you don’t use it.”

“So I can fuck you on it.”

“Obviously. Why didn’t I think of that?”

“Because you’re probably thinking about damn wallpaper.”

I pause, my fork hovering in front of my mouth, and look at him. Dammit. How did he know that? That isn’t fair. “Shut up.”

“Make me.” His eyes twinkle with the challenge.

I hit the ‘home’ button on my phone. “Can’t, sorry. I have to be at work in thirty minutes to finish up with the restaurant for my client’s approval. I’d hate to be late and piss him off.”

He groans. “You’re right. Your client will be very pissed if it isn’t finished today.”

I smile. “My client is also still in his sweatpants.”

“Your client can wear his sweatpants to work. It’s why he’s the boss.” He winks, grins, and shovels the final piece of bacon into his mouth. “Now shall we get ready?”

“What do you mean, we? I’m ready. It’s just you.”

“Semantics, baby.” He laughs and walks to me. He cups my face with his hands and drops a kiss onto my lips. “I will get ready. You go. I’ll meet you at the restaurant to look it over, and then I’m taking you for dinner.
Out
someplace nice.”

“Really?” My heart jumps.

“Bee, as soon as you’ve done your walkthrough and I’ve checked the restaurant, I’m no longer your client. And honestly, I don’t care anymore. Anyone who can handle my sister like you do is not getting away from me.”

“That’s cute. I was under the impression getting away from you wasn’t an option anyway.”

“You are correct.” He kisses me again.

“I was still going to attempt it, though. Just for the record.”

He gives me the side-eye as he walks out of the kitchen, but his lips are turned up in a smirk.

I shoot him my sweetest smile.

I can’t help but think that this seeing where it goes thing has really worked out. The last few days have been nothing but work, arranging the restaurant, and chilling out away from it all. Funny movies and TV shows have been broken up by random and impulsive sex sessions, but between it all, we’ve talked. We’ve got to know each other beyond it—we’ve peeled away each other’s orange skins, as it is.

And I have to say, I’m finding that I like who Carter Hughes more and more.

***

My dress skims my knees as I step out of the car, my hand in Carter’s. “I thought you said we were going someplace nice,” I tell him, looking at the restaurant in front of us.

“I have it on good authority that Carter’s is one of the best in the business—and the owner is one hell of a fucking guy.” He grins and leads me toward the door. “This look is all yours, baby. I don’t reopen until tomorrow. I thought we could enjoy it alone tonight.”

“We’re going to be skipping dinner, aren’t we? I know your plan,” I tell him as he leads me inside.

“You want to go straight to the back? I promise to feed you after this time.”

“Oh so kind of you. I had to eat chips and salsa last time.”

He laughs and pulls out a chair for me. It’s the only table currently set fully, and a tea light candle is burning in the frosted glass holder I insisted every table needed. “Maybe you should eat first. Just in case.”

I suck my lower lip into my mouth and consider my move. I could sit and we could have dinner, or I could take him to the back this time… I smile coyly at him. “Or maybe…” I spin and drag him toward the door that leads to the bar. “Maybe we can eat later.”

I bump the bar door open with my butt, and Carter catches it with his free hand. His eyes darken, his smirk turning predatory, and it takes him all of a second to spin us and take control. I laugh as he pulls me along the bar, right back to the booth where it all started, and tugs me into it. I’m still laughing as I fall back onto the plush leather seat, and Carter swings the curtains shut before turning to me.

God, that smile.

He drops down over me, one knee sliding between my legs, and wraps one arm around the small of my back. “Before we go any further, two things.”

“It’s never good if you have to talk before sex,” I mutter, running my nails up his sides and back down to his belt. I grip it tightly.

“Mmmm.” He drops his lips. “I bought a club. With a friend.”

“Congratulations. And I’m guessing you want to hire me again.”

“Depends…” He trails his lips down my neck, and I arch my head back, closing my eyes. “Do we have to keep hiding this? ‘Cause I won’t lie, Bee… I don’t want to hide you. I want you too badly to hide you anymore.”

I gasp as he nips my neck. “No,” I breathe, grabbing his shirt and untucking it. “No more hiding.”

“Thank fuck.” He slips his hand into my hair and pulls my mouth up to his. “You’re mine.”

My hands explore the smooth plains of his back. “Don’t get too cocky now.”

“Bee,” he murmurs, one of his hands easing between my legs. “Your pleasure is mine. Your pussy is mine. You’re mine. Is that clear?”

“As crystal. Now prove it.”

“As you wish.”

THE END

Thank you for reading Blind Date, a novella! I hope you enjoyed it. For more information about me and any of my upcoming works, please join my reader group at
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Emma Hart is the
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author of sexy new adult romance novels, including the Call series and the Game series. By day, she dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to two beautiful little monsters. By night, she drops it, pours a glass of whatever she fancies—usually wine—and writes books.

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