Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
A noise to my left caught my attention, and my brain pieced together that someone was speaking to me, though I didn’t catch their words, as I was too enthralled by my dance partner.
I forced my gaze away to find an older lady with white puffy hair, dancing with a man of a similar age. I didn’t recognize either of them; it was a big company, even larger now after the merger, so I didn’t know all of my coworkers.
“I’m sorry,” I said, giving her my attention. “I didn’t catch that.”
“I said you two make a lovely couple,” she told me with a kind smile before she twirled away with her man. I was too stunned to answer. It wasn’t a leap as to why she assumed Gavin and I were together. What shocked me was how my heart fluttered at the suggestion. I swallowed hard and looked back at him to judge his reaction.
“You know, I don’t think anyone has ever called me lovely before,” he chuckled.
I worried his joke was to cover up embarrassment. “I hope she didn’t make you uncomfortable.”
All humor left his face as he looked me in the eyes. “Absolutely not.” There was something hidden in his voice; hope? Pride?
Whatever it was, I didn’t know what to do with it, and I didn’t trust myself to speculate as I held him in my arms. Having him so close was spurring wild thoughts. As much as I hated it, I needed some breathing room to clear my head.
I took a step back and reluctantly moved my hand away from his hip. “As much fun as I’m having, I think my old butt is getting partied out.” It wasn’t entirely untrue; on any other night, I’d be settling in for the evening. I didn’t want to make any decisions for him, though, so I added, “If you’d like to stay, I’m happy to take an Uber home.”
Gavin shook his head with a smile. “I think I’m ready to head out too. Thank you so much for inviting me; I had a great time with you.”
“So did I.” It was a wonderful, yet confusing, evening. And as we walked outside to Gavin’s car, my thoughts only spun faster.
Chapter Four
Gavin
Richmond was quiet on the drive home, but it wasn't heavy or awkward. I could practically hear the gears grinding in his head as he processed the evening. I knew I’d taken a chance by asking him to dance with me, but he didn’t push me away. He actually seemed to quite enjoy himself, and now I assumed he was trying to figure out what it all meant.
It meant everything to me. For so long, I’d dreamed of what his body would feel like in my arms, and it was better than anything I imagined. But that dance, along with a few flirty comments, was as far as I would push things. I would never demand anything from him, or make him uncomfortable. Richmond was in charge of the next move. And whatever it was, I was ready to take it.
I parked in his driveway and exited the car before jogging around to the passenger side, where I found Richmond still sitting in a daze. He seemed to come back to himself when he heard his door open, and he looked up at me with a smile.
“Thank you; such a gentleman.”
I smirked and held my hand out for him, and Richmond took it with a chuckle. I helped him from the car, and my heart skipped a beat when he didn’t pull his hand from mine. With our palms clasped, I walked him to his front door.
I turned to face him, watching as his lip twitched as if he wanted to say something, but couldn’t find the words. I filled the silence with, “I had a wonderful time tonight. I appreciate you inviting me out to meet some people in the business, but what I enjoyed the most was spending time with you.”
“Me too,” he answered with a sweet smile that quickly vanished. “At first, I was unsure about inviting you.”
Panic surged through me when I asked, “Why?” Was he on the fence about being seen with me, or being alone with me?
“I was worried you’d be bored to death in a group of old fuddy-duddies like me.”
I let out a relieved sigh. “First of all, that is the last way I would ever describe you.”
“Really?” Hope and nervousness laced his voice when he asked, “How would you describe me?”
I didn’t even need to think. “Smart, kind, generous, warm, handsome, caring, thoughtful…I could go on.” It was easy to gush over him.
Surprise and delight sparkled in his eyes as they gazed into mine. He didn’t speak, but his actions gave away his thoughts. His thumb caressed back and forth over my knuckles, and his face inched closer to mine. I didn’t move to close the gap between us; I let him come to me so he had time to change his mind if he wanted to.