I searched for my most conservative outfit for my first date, and although this dress hangs loosely off my shoulder and around my body, it’s shorter than I’d have liked.
Shit. Maybe I should’ve gone shopping for something else. The rumble of a truck engine sounds and my heart beats wildly. I rush to the spare bathroom to check my face one more time before slowing my pace to answer the door.
He knocks twice, and I take a deep breath to fake calm.
I swing open the door and lock my knees to keep from throwing myself into his arms. Wow, he’s beautiful. “Hey.”
He doesn’t greet me, and rather than his usual easy smile, his expression is intense. He scrutinizes every inch of me, making me squirm as I feel the sweep of his gaze against my skin.
His blue button-up shirt offsets his cobalt eyes framed with shaggy blond hair that looks as if he tried to tame it. His jeans aren’t tight, but they’re not baggy. A dark denim hugs his long legs perfectly, giving a hint to the powerful muscle that lies underneath.
“Trix . . . I . . .” He clears his throat. “You’re like . . .” He covers his mouth with his hand and shakes his head, his gaze giving away that he approves of my attire for the night.
Even with his admiration, I can’t shake the feeling of inadequacy. My gold bangles jingle as I fidget with the short hem of my dress. “It’s short, I know.”
“Damn.” He runs his hand through his hair, studying my legs. “I don’t know what else to say.” His eyes find me. “You look really pretty.”
A giggle bubbles up from my chest, cooling the heat of my nerves. “Thank you. You clean up well too.” I grab my purse off the small table in the foyer and lock the door before walking out and closing it behind me.
He offers me his elbow, and I blush at the kindness of his overly formal gesture.
“What do you have planned for me? More midnight four-wheeling?” I motion to my gold strappy heels. “Just want to make sure I’m wearing appropriate shoes.”
He cocks his head and flashes a confident half-smile that stirs something deep in my belly.
“You’ll just have to wait and see.” He opens the passenger-side door of his truck. “Are you hungry?”
I climb inside his truck as gracefully as I can. He groans, but covers it with a fake cough. My face heats when I realize I’d most likely given him a peek at my modest nude-colored lace panties.
I try to ignore that and answer him. “I’m okay for now.”
He nods and shuts me in, moving around the hood and climbing in the driver’s side. “We’ll hit up one stop, and then the rest of the night is all about us.”
I turn and watch him as he studies the rearview mirror, backing out of the driveway. “All about us? So, the one stop involves someone else?”
He cringes slightly. “Eh . . . a few someones.” His eyes find me, reassuring and kind. “But don’t worry. It’ll be fun.”
“I trust you.”
A shy grin curls his lips, and I have to look away to keep from leaning in to see if that smile tastes as good as it looks.
The cab of the truck swirls with the scent of fresh rain and honey, and I let the aroma soothe me.
We fall into a comfortable conversation about our day, mine being filled with sleep, some light cleaning, and then getting ready. His with training.
The summer heat is high, and we’re still a couple hours away from sunset. Funny how different the city looks in the day compared to night. The dual-personality feel of Las Vegas is what draws people in with dreams of normal days and erotic nights. My stomach jumps as I consider normal, like now, being picked up for a date by a handsome gentleman. Basic and yet more exciting than stepping out on stage mostly naked.
We pull in to the parking lot of a restaurant that has a pig on the sign, and he opens the door for me to escort me inside.
“This was your big detour? A sports bar?” I lift one eyebrow at him, teasing, but also concerned that I’m overdressed.
“Don’t worry. One drink and we’re gone, cool?” He pulls my hand into the crook of his arm and leads me to the door. “I promised a few friends we’d stop by. They just got back