Third Chances (Men Of Manhattan #2) - Ivy Smoak Page 0,58

love? I've already told you no."

"I don't think it necessarily is."

"Okay, so what about you?"

"Yes, I've had boyfriends."

"But you didn't love them?"

"I thought maybe I did at the time. But looking back on it, no. That can't be love. Love is something that's supposed to last. It's supposed to be supportive. And forgiving."

"And passionate."

She smiled. "Yeah. And passionate. I've never really had that either."

"No? Not even recently?" I moved my face a fraction of an inch closer to hers.

"Maybe recently I have."

"Maybe?" I placed a soft kiss against her lips.

"What do you want me to say, Rob?"

"That you feel this too." I kissed her again, harder this time. I could taste the lust on her tongue. I relished the feeling of her hands in my hair, pulling me closer to her. She felt it. Maybe she couldn't say it, but I knew she felt it too. This wasn't just a kiss. This was a jump your bones kind of kiss. If we were alone right now, I'd already be unzipping her dress.

When I pulled back she was breathless. She searched my eyes. I wasn't sure what she was looking for, but I hoped she found it.

Her throat made this adorable squeaking noise and she looked up at the sky. "I think it's raining."

I hadn't felt it before. I was too focused on the curves of her hips and the taste of her. But it definitely was starting to drizzle. "There is nothing better in the world than the feeling of rain on your skin."

"Is that so?"

I smiled. I could have said an assortment of dirty things. Like, "No, fucking is better obviously," or something vulgar like that. But I didn't. She looked so happy. There was a time and a place for jokes. I usually didn't pay attention to stuff like that, but I fucking liked this girl. I couldn't help it. She made me feel grounded somehow. I was so completely wrapped up in this moment, wrapped up in her. "Nothing better," I said.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw the waiter walk back over to our table. It was tempting to kiss her again, to pull her even closer to me. But I only had so much control. We'd end up naked on the dance floor in a matter of seconds. And I seriously didn't want to go back to Costa Rican prison. Besides, I had given her my word. I intended to keep it. "The waiter is back."

I loved the disappointment that flashed across her face. She's definitely feeling this too. I took a step back and grabbed her hand. "Thanks for the dance, Momma Bear."

"Oh God, please don't call me that."

"As you wish. Beautiful suits you better, anyway."

She blushed again. I released her hand and watched her sit back down and flip her hair over her shoulder. There was no doubt in my mind that we were on the same page now. I felt like I was in this happy bubble. This girl was amazing.

And what would you like, ma'am?" the waiter said to Daphne as she picked up her menu again.

"Can I have the crab cake sandwich?"

"Of course. That comes with..."

"And could I have the tomato and lettuce on the side?" Daphne continued, interrupting the waiter.

The waiter started jotting down the order.

"And also the bun. I'll just assemble it when it comes to me. And please hold the sauce. Also, would it be possible to substitute the French fries and coleslaw?"

The waiter finished jotting down the weird shit that just came out of Daphne's mouth. "Of course. There's a list of sides on page two."

Daphne turned back the page. "Are your green beans steamed?"

"Yes, and they're tossed in a delicious garlic sauce."

"Oh, no. That doesn't sound delicious to me. Is it possible to get them not tossed in the garlic sauce?"

"Um, certainly. And for your other side?"

"What potatoes are your mashed potatoes made from?"

"Red potatoes I believe. But I'd have to check."

"That won't be necessary. I don't want to inconvenience you. Do you know if your French fries are prepared with sea salt or Himalayan salt?"

"Neither. We leave the seasoning to the patrons. There's sea salt on the table as well as old bay and..."

"That's awesome," Daphne said, cutting the waiter off again. "Actually, I'll just have the French fries after all then. Thank you so much." She closed her menu and looked at me.

What the fuck just happened? I laughed awkwardly. It kind of felt like my happy bubble had just popped.