Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 102834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
His gaze was suddenly assessing, and I found myself looking back at him steadily. “I have every intention,” I stated evenly, and Colin gave me a nod of respect before he left the room.
Later that evening when we landed in Dublin, we caught a taxi home, dropping Milly off at her place first.
“If you’re going to London again before the end of summer, please take me with you!” Gigi said as I was helping Milly grab her suitcase from the back of the vehicle.
“I don’t think I will be, but if I change my mind, you’re welcome to come,” Milly replied, leaning back into the taxi to give my daughter a hug.
“You don’t have to do that,” I told her quietly as I rolled her suitcase up onto the footpath.
She shrugged. “Honestly, I’m not a fan of flying alone, even on short flights, so I’d be glad of the company.”
“Okay, well, are you free tomorrow night?”
“I think so, why?”
I shot her a tender smile and took her hand in mine. Lifting it, I pressed a kiss to her soft skin before replying, “Because I’m taking you to dinner.”
Her eyes lit with interest. “Oh?”
“The first of many. I plan on courting you like an old-fashioned gentleman, so get ready. There will also be gifts.”
She giggled and my chest eased at the sound. “Well, if you insist.”
“I do. Be ready at seven.”
With that I pulled her in for a kiss, despite the fact that the taxi driver had shot me a pointed look that the metre was still running. Gigi groaned from inside the vehicle. “Oh, come on. I’m on board with this and everything, but no PDA, please.”
Smiling, I released Milly, already inpatient for our date. “Miss you already,” I whispered, and her cheeks flushed with pleasure as I climbed back into the taxi.
25.
Milly
When Derek’s car pulled up outside my house the following evening, I was full of nervous excitement. This was our first official date, and there was a warm, pleasurable feeling in my belly. We could finally be together out in the open. I had visions of him holding my hand or sliding his arm around my waist in public, proclaiming to the world that I was his and he was mine.
I watched through a slit in my bedroom curtains as he exited his car and walked up to my front door. As soon as he knocked, my pulse fluttered, and I quickly put the finishing touches on my outfit. Spritzing myself with some perfume, I grabbed my phone and handbag then hurried downstairs.
“You’re early,” I said as I opened the door, my breath stalling when I got a proper look at him. Derek’s hair was combed back, his face freshly shaven. He wore a dark green shirt that managed to make his eyes look darker and even more smouldering. My gaze trailed up his long torso and broad shoulders, a heat stirring down low. I had a brief vision of grabbing him by his shirt collar and leading him directly to my bedroom, but of course, that wasn’t what tonight was about.
“What can I say, I’m eager,” Derek said with a sexy smile, and I realised he was taking me in just as ravenously. I shivered when his gaze lingered on my shoes, the strappy black velvet heels that I knew accentuated my ankles and calves. My black dress was tight, revealing my curves but not too much skin. Derek appeared to be having a number of thoughts before I cleared my throat, and his gaze flicked to mine. If I wasn’t mistaken, a faint hint of embarrassment flashed across his features, there and gone again in less than a second.
“Evidently.”
His gaze darkened. “You look stunning. Are you ready to go, or do you need more time?”
“I’m ready,” I said, and he held out his arm for me to take.
Stepping out, I quickly locked my door then let Derek guide me to his car, curious to see where he planned to take me. He started heading towards the city, and I thought maybe we were going to the restaurant at his city hotel or perhaps Finnegan’s. When I asked him, he said it was a surprise.
A little while later, he parked close to the Grand Canal, and then we walked along the water, the quiet summer night air drifting over us. We reached an old red brick house that had been converted into a restaurant. Dainty fairy lights lit up the exterior, and when we went inside, there were candles glowing, and the tables seemed to be designed for couples to be ensconced in cosy booths, providing privacy and a cosy atmosphere.
“How did you hear about this place?” I asked with a thrill.
“Aidan said it’s one of the most romantic spots in the city, second only to his own restaurants, of course. I hope you like French-Vietnamese fusion cuisine.”