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Deck looks up from the book he’s reading and frowns. “Don’t get involved, man. Do not do it.”
I brush his warning off and continue walking. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Women are nothing but trouble,” Deck grunts. I’m not sure what female put that bug up his ass, but I disagree. Women are amazing creatures. And the one I’m about to have dinner with? She’s the most spectacular one of all.
They can tease all they want. I don’t care. Hunter intrigues me, and I plan to get to know her better tonight.
After carefully setting everything up on the glass table, I light a few candles and pull up a jazz playlist on my phone. I’m so freaking pumped to spend some time with Hunter. She said yes to this little date and my body is vibrating with so much excited energy, I can barely contain it. Endorphins are pumpingthrough my system, my favorite song is playing, and all I can do is dance. There’s no stopping me. My body moves to the beat, and I channel my inner samba, moving forwards and backwards, rolling my hips to the beat.
When a throat clears, I turn to see Hunter standing there, and I smile. She exchanged her loungewear for a little swing dress and flip flops. And she looks gorgeous.
“I figured I’d wear my dress since it’s a date and all.” She sends me a shy smile that ignites something inside me. Electric sparks sizzle through my body and I samba my way over, my gaze sliding down her curves, pausing on her bare legs, then continuing down to those small, polished toenails.
“You look lovely.”
“Thanks.”
I reach for her. “Dance with me,” I say, but she shakes her head.
“No, I can’t—”
“Can’t dance? C’mon, it’s easy. Just move your hips to the beat.” But she hesitates. “May I?”
I lift my hands, letting them hover over her hips, and when she slowly nods, I allow them to drop. Holding onto her, I guide her hips back and forth, and we find a rhythm, completely in sync with each other and the music.
“You’re a great dancer,” I tell her, sending her a megawatt smile.
I’m not sure what snaps her out of the moment, but she pulls away. “Hardly,” she scoffs with a forced laugh. I hate thatshe pulls away, but I’m not going to let it disappoint me. The night is just beginning, and I’m on a mission to figure her out.
Baby steps,I remind myself.
Her attention drops to the table spread. “Wow, how did you do all this so fast?”
“You inspired me.” We sit down and I hand her a glass of wine. “Thanks for agreeing to have dinner with me. Normally, I don’t have to ask twice.”
Cocky? Maybe. But it’s true.
“I’m sure all the ladies eagerly wait for an invite,” she teases and clinks her glass against mine. “Should I feel special?”
“You are special,” I answer without missing a beat.
She scoffs. “You have a line for everything, don’t you?”
“It’s not a line.”
“If you say so.” Her attention drops to the pizza. “That looks good.”
“I wish I could’ve taken you somewhere a little more fancy than the patio, but hopefully it’s not too bad.”
For a moment she doesn’t say anything. Just looks around at the dinner, wine, candles, then finally at me. “It’s very nice. Thank you, Knox.”
“You’re welcome.” I brush her hair back over her shoulder, my fingers grazing her arm. A tingle zaps through me. “If you haven’t noticed, I like you. A lot.”
“I’m sure you say that to all the girls.”
She’s brushing me off, and I don’t like it. Reaching over, I grab her chin, forcing her to look at me. “No, I don’t. Honestly, Hunter, I don’t remember the last woman I actively pursued.”
She inhales swiftly.