Page 118 of No Longer Mine

I dragged my eyes over her, slow—deliberate—ensuring she felt it. “I like it too much.”

She let out a soft, knowing laugh. “That sounds like a you problem.”

It was. It absolutely was. But she was about to make it our problem.

She grabbed a small clutch from the entryway table and stepped into the hall, pulling the door shut behind her. As she moved, the dress shifted, offering teasing flashes of creamy skin through the slits, and her perfume wrapped around me—dark, sweet, and utterly addictive.

I held out my arm, my voice rougher than I intended. “Let’s go before I change my mind and drag you back inside.”

Her brows lifted, but she slid her hand into the crook of my arm without hesitation. “Promises, promises.”

I exhaled sharply, leading her toward the elevator. If she thought this was a game, she had no idea what she’d just signed up for.

Don was waiting for us on the street. He opened the door for us and bowed his head slightly for my date. “You look absolutely breathtaking.” Scarlett’s cheeks colored as she slid into the car behind me.

The ride to the restaurant was a quick one. I’d planned it that was so when we were finished with dinner I didn’t have to waittoo long to get her out of her dress and on my cock. It was all I could think about, and now that I saw miles of leg in that dress… I was surprised I could even walk straight.

I clenched my fists in my lap, forcing myself to focus on the here and now—not on how that dress would look pooled around her ankles later.

Scarlett shifted beside me, crossing one leg over the other, and my jaw ticked. She knew exactly what she was doing.

We pulled up to Restaurant Daniel, I watched as she smiled slightly. I wanted to impress her so badly, and I knew this would be the place to do it. The inside was a work of art, as well as the food. Truth be told, I was already thinking of the third date, and all of the ones that would come after that. I wanted to see her eyes light up with each place I chose. I wanted her to know I’d put thought into spending my time with her.

Scarlett’s lips parted slightly as she took in the restaurant, the soft golden light catching the sharp angles of her cheekbones. She turned to me, something unreadable flickering in her gaze. “This looks really nice.”

I smirked, stepping out of the car before the valet could reach my door. Rounding the vehicle, I extended a hand, helping her out with a steady grip. “You deserve the best.” The words slipped out without hesitation—without calculation. A simple truth that she would come to realize when she noticed I’d paid for an entire private experience. The chances of us being seen by anyone my family knew would be slim to none. But she didn’t need to know that. All I cared about was that she felt special, adored, and cherished.

She hesitated for the briefest of moments, then let her fingers tighten around mine. “We’ll see if you still think that by the end of the night.”

My smirk deepened as I led her toward the entrance. “Oh, I’m counting on it.”

Inside, the restaurant was bathed in soft candlelight, the air thick with the scent of rich sauces and expensive wine. The hostess greeted us warmly, barely sparing me a glance as her eyes lingered on Scarlett.

I couldn’t blame her. Scarlett commanded attention without trying.

As we followed the hostess to our private room, through a series of hallways, I leaned in, lowering my voice just for her. “For the record, that dress should be illegal.”

Scarlett hummed, barely turning her head. “The girls said the same thing.”

“Cleo?” I asked, confused.

Scarlett slid into her chair and picked up her menu. She didn’t offer me another glance as she spoke. “Audrey and Carina.”

I choked. “Excuse me?”

Scarlett smiled softly, finally lifting her eyes to meet mine over the rim of her menu. “Oh, didn’t I mention? Your grandmothers and your brother’s women paid me a little visit.”

If Audrey and Carina had their way, Scarlett would be ingrained in their little circle, and my grandmothers… well, they’d already decided she was theirs to keep. I leaned forward, my fingers curling around the edge of the table. “When?”

“Last night, as soon as Vance was gone.” She flicked her gaze back to the menu, as if she hadn’t just detonated a bomb in the middle of our dinner. “They brought wine. Lots of wine.”

I exhaled through my nose, shaking my head. Of course they did. I should’ve known the second I let my guard downthat those meddling women would take matters into their own hands. “And?” I prompted. “How bad was it?”

Scarlett’s lips curled. “Depends on your definition of bad. They seem to think we’re inevitable.”

I groaned, rubbing a hand down my face. “Christ.”

She laughed, and it did something to my insides. “It was… interesting.”