Page 90 of One Little Kiss

CHAPTER28

COLTON

Tucked away in a semiprivate corner of the bustling The Hungry I, a Beacon Hill longtime staple, I see nothing but Winnie. Just a glimpse of her takes my breath away. But tonight? Tonight, she could make angels curse, and turn devils into saints for a chance to be near her.

“Is everything okay?” she whispers while leaning over the table.

The dress I chose has a squared neckline that cuts just low enough to tease what’s below the tight fabric that does nothing to hide her pebbled nipples.

“This might be the best night of my life,” I answer honestly.

She rolls her eyes, but I rise to the challenge. “It’s better than every prank I’ve ever pulled on Preston. Better than when I got my driver’s license. Better than graduating from college with a higher GPA than Easton. Being with you is better than any multi-million dollar deal I’ve closed. Tonight is the first of manybestsI’ll have with you, Winnie Darling. You look stunning.”

“So you’ve said,” she muses teasingly, but her skin flushes a lovely shade of red.

She lifts her wine to those plump, red lips, and I wonder what they would taste like right now. Cherry cola, wine, and something uniquely her? My dick twitches against my zipper at the thought.

“And I’ll keep saying it.” I can’t keep my gaze from lingering on her lips as I speak. “I hope you don’t love that dress too much, though?”

“Oh no. Why?” she asks, frantically yet discreetly checking herself. “Did I spill wine on it?”

Leaning across the table, I still her hands that are skimming her lap, searching for a spill. “No, CC. I hope you don’t love it because I’m going to enjoy ripping it from your body as soon as we’re alone.”

She sucks in a gasp, but my expression says it all. I’m not fucking around. I want her in the worst way and I’m already regretting this five-course meal.

“Are ve ready to order?” Jean-Paul, our waiter, asks with a thick French accent I’m inclined to believe is fake.

Winnie’s eyes go wide as she stares at me and shakes her head. Regretfully, I let go of her hand and turn to Jean-Paul. “We’re going to need a few minutes,” I explain, with my gaze fixed on Winnie.

“Very vell.” He tops off our wine glasses and slinks away into the darkness.

“I don’t know what any of this is,” Winnie hisses, “and I can’t understand what he’s saying.” She tries to keep a straight face, but we both break out in laughter. “Do you think his accent is real?”

“Definitely not.” I chuckle. “He sounds like he’s failed one too many acting classes.” Opening my menu, my laughter erupts anew. Everything is in French, at a French restaurant. Go figure. Placing it back on the table, I smirk at my girl. “Are you feeling adventurous tonight, sweetheart?”

She narrows her eyes, but doesn’t back down. This is the Winnie I met at the airport. The strong, independent woman who didn’t fall for my shit and I fucking love it.

“What did you have in mind, Mr. Westbrook?”

Seductress. And she doesn’t even know it.

“We’ll leave it up to the chef. Russian roulette style.”

“Will we have to draw our weapons?”

“No, but I’ll poke you with something thick and hard later.”

“Oh, you did not just say that.” She’s sputtering her words through laughter. A sound I don’t hear nearly enough.

“I can pull out my inner teenage self when the need arises. And if it makes you laugh like that? I’ll always rise to the occasion.” I waggle my eyebrows and glance down at my crotch.

Winnie nearly chokes on her wine, but the smile on her face makes her outshine the sparkling diamond I have in my pocket.

“Thank you for this.” Her gaze darts around the dimly lit restaurant.

Unable to keep my hands to myself, I lean across the small, bistro-style table and clasp her hand in mine. “It’s my pleasure, CC. Sincerely, I mean it when I say this is the best night of my life. And I hope it just keeps getting better.”

I stare as her slim neck works to swallow the emotion she’s trying not to show. I know she’s holding back with me. Not fully trusting my intentions, but after tonight, I hope to put the rest of her worries to bed. Forever.