Just One Kiss (Very Irresistible Bachelors #2) - Layla Hagen Page 0,38

so weak for him and so turned on that I could barely think.

“Heather, fuck,” he murmured against my lips.

“I think our movie is going to start.”

He made a sound I couldn’t quite decipher before helping me climb down from his lap. As we left the room, I felt him look at me. In the dimly lit corridor, I glanced up. Oh, heavens... if I thought his gaze had been feral before, it was nothing compared to this. He looked as if he was having second thoughts about the movie and would much rather just throw me over his shoulder and take me out of the building.

I felt him watch me as I picked up my popcorn and drink. He followed suit, then guided me to our actual theater. I chuckled as we sat down. I hadn’t gone on a movie date since college.

“You know, I’ve never made out at the theater?” I whispered to Ryker.

His mouth curled into a satisfied smile. I simmered. Simmered! And the man wasn’t even trying to seduce me right now. Oh, heavens. How was I supposed to just sit with him for the next two hours?

By focusing on the movie, that was how.

It became clear within the first minutes that Ryker was a terrible person to go to a movie with. He kept trying to explain back stories and trivia, with the result that I spent more time shushing him than paying attention. On the bright side, he was so focused on explaining every detail that I’d managed to eat half his popcorn too. I’d wolfed down mine during the trailers.

“I’m never watching another movie with you,” I announced when we returned to the main hall. “You’re one of those awful people who talk through the whole thing. Worst movie companion.”

“I promise I make a better dinner companion.”

“What do you mean?”

“You didn’t think I wouldn’t take you to dinner, did you?”

“You didn’t say anything about dinner.”

“Didn’t want to risk you saying no. I want to spend more time with you, Heather. And I’m starving. Aren’t you?”

I narrowed my eyes. “You bought a small popcorn bag on purpose, didn’t you?”

He grinned. “Guilty.”

“Ohhh....” I’d just realized a tiny detail. “Skye, Tess, and your mom already know, don’t they?”

“And Natasha. Had to tell her so she could make plans for Avery accordingly.”

“How do you even know Natasha? And how to contact her?”

“I have my ways of finding out what I want.”

“You thought about everything.”

My pulse jackhammered in my throat, my chest, my ears. I couldn’t focus on anything else except Ryker, as if we were separated from our surroundings by a veil. How could he do that? Reduce everything to a low background noise? Make my entire body hum with one look, one touch? Make me want things I’d been determined to avoid only a few weeks back?

“Okay. Where are you taking me?”

“I have a few surprises in store.”

Like his sisters, Ryker didn’t do anything half-heartedly. The restaurant he’d brought us to was on a ship on the Hudson river. Twinkling lights adorned the metal railing outside. The restaurant’s walls were made out of floor-to-ceiling glass. We had an excellent view of the city.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re out to impress me,” I teased.

“I am. Want to sit outside?”

“Sure.”

It was a bit chilly here on the river, but they had gas heaters next to every table. Unfortunately, the heat was reflected from above, so my legs were cold within minutes. As if realizing that, Ryker asked for a blanket, placing it on my legs, tucking it in at the sides.

“So careful,” I murmured.

“Just making sure my girl’s taken care of. Don’t want to give her a reason to say no to the next date.”

My stomach flipped. “Already planning the next date?”

“Planning much more than that, but let’s start small.”

Well, what could I say to that?

There were only two set menus to choose from, each boasting five courses. Everything sounded delicious. We ended up choosing different menus, so we could taste what each had to offer. Despite being hungry, I was too captivated by Ryker to properly pay attention to the food.

“So, let’s see if I got this straight,” I said. “Tess is pretty balls to the wall when she’s after something. And Skye is subtle—”

Ryker held up a finger. “Sort of. I mean, Skye is more laid-back than Tess, except in crisis situations. Then she goes from relaxed to... dragon.”

I laughed, trying to picture Skye upset. “Yeah, I can totally see that. Let’s talk about