furrow my brow at her stern tone mixing with sugary words. “Um, okay. Someone’s touchy. Maybe you need an extra-large slice of chocolate cake. Love you, baby girl.”
The bathroom is a short walk and down a hallway bathed in blue. My stiletto-clad toes are thankful for the easy trek. I strut into the overly perfumed space and do my business. When I get in front of the mirror, a hive of honey-starved bees wakes in my belly. The buzzing travels through my veins, giving me a zing from scalp to sole. I press a palm flat to my stomach and inhale until my lungs strain.
This is just a date. One of many, according to the man who planned it. Just a regular evening out with a guy who happens to be crazy about me. His words, not mine. Crawford hasn’t been shy about his feelings. Quite the opposite, really.
Since our impromptu movie night where Millie conked out halfway through the animated film, he’s been taking advantage of every second we spend alone. Getting reacquainted has made our near-parting almost worth it. During these heated moments, Crawford has hedged around the L-word. He gets close and veers off, saying everything except the one I’ve been secretly waiting for. Maybe I should spill my guts before he does. Lord knows I’m close to bursting at this point.
I shake off the heady sensation and focus on reapplying my lipstick. Why am I nervous? There’s no reason to be. Plus, Millie is with us. There won’t be any deep and heavy confessions until the moon kisses the stars. I walk back to the table on my teetering heels with that solid fact in mind. When I get within a few strides of my seat, I stumble to a stop. Crawford is smiling at me, appearing as if everything is normal. My daughter, on the other hand, is very noticeably absent.
“Where’s Millie?”
My newly solo date widens his grin. “Josey picked her up.”
I’m sure my eyes are near bulging. “What? Why? Is she sick?”
Crawford chuckles and pats my empty seat. “It’s all been planned, Kee. The rest of tonight belongs to us.”
“Oh.” I peer around the bustling section we’re cornered in. “Did you order dessert?”
“We’ll be savoring it at my place.” He reaches for my hand, placing soft kisses along my knuckles.
“Okay.” How can I argue with that?
“Ready to go, love?”
A shudder rolls through me at his choice of endearment. So close, yet not quite right. I don’t need to exchange verbal sentiments. He’s showing me in more ways than those three little words ever could. His actions have been shouting from the rooftops for the past week. I mean, one fast glance at the guy shows a changed man. And that’s just on the surface. A fancy shirt and tie don’t impress me, though. The way he listens and lavishes us with attention and strives to be the best for himself means so much more than any fancy meal. But I’m not complaining about the combo platter of goodness he’s spoiling me with.
“Keegan?”
I shake off those wayward thoughts. “Oh, sorry. You have me a bit dazed.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“Very much so.” A ripple of heat spreads from my lower belly.
A satisfied noise tumbles off his succulent lips. “I’m about to make it even better.”
“How is that even possible?” My voice is breathy and wanton. There’s no use trying to mask my desire at this point.
“You’ll see.”
And he does, in quite a hurry. We make the drive to his house in under fifteen minutes. The woods are pitch black, but there’s a soft glow coming from his loft windows. Someone has definitely been planning something.
Before I can take a single step, Crawford scoops me into his arms. A startled yelp escapes me while I wiggle in his hold. “What’re you doing?”
“I don’t want you to trip in the dark wearing those sexy as fuck shoes.”
With a purring exhale, I press kisses along the base of his throat. “That’s very thoughtful of you.”
After climbing the winding staircase, Crawford unlocks the door. He sets me down in the foyer with gentle care. It takes me a moment to gather my bearings, but all the air leaves me an instant later. His studio space flickers with flameless light from numerous electric candles arranged across every surface. A blend of loose and bundled wild flowers decorate the floor and his bed.
“Ford, what is all of this?” I cover my gaping mouth with a shaky hand.
He presses into me from