Page 102 of Pink and Country

A large grin spread across Carter’s face. “Yeah. That’s the one.”

“We’re not going there, HN.”

Carter frowned. “Why? I want us to go. Let me treat you to a fancy dinner, Pixie.”

I spun on my heels to face him and cradled his face with my hands. “As much as I’d like to go, this isn’t happening. I prefer a low-key evening with you in some three-star restaurant, somewhere nobody has ever heard of, than to spend hundreds of dollars on a fancy meal.”

Carter tilted his head. “You’re sure?”

“Totally. Let’s ask the front desk for some recommendation instead.” Carter dropped his shoulders, his eyes fixed on mine.

“Fine.” He pulled at my hand, and his smile grew bigger. “You pick the place then.” His mouth claimed mine. Carter pulled back as a moan left my mouth. “You’ll never cease to impress me, Fairy. Now, lead the way. Let’s get out of here before I rip this dress off you.”

Overdressed for the small restaurant, we didn’t give a care in the world. Nothing other than this time together mattered. We sat in a half-circle, crimson-leathered booth, the dimmed lights casting a low warm glow over our table. An older man, dressed in a black suit, played jazz music on a grand piano in the back corner. Fuzzy feelings danced in my chest. I loved everything about this place.

“This is the date I owed you, Bubble Gum.” Carter’s hand ventured to my lap, and I swallowed a gasp.

“No touching, Mr. Hills. This is not how a gentleman would act on a first date with a lady.” I used my most sensual voice, rubbing my shoe against his shin under the table.

“It’s not the girl, it’s the dress. It’s killing me.” Carter winked, and I fell a little bit harder for him. The flock of butterflies in my belly got bigger with each passing day. Carter scooted closer to me. His hand traveled to the apex of my thighs, and I choked on my breath when his fingers toyed with my clit.

“Don’t make me wish this night was over just yet,” I said, my voice a pleading murmur.

“You haven’t seen anything yet, Fairy.” Carter winked, and I turned into a molten pile of burning flesh in his hand.

* * *

Carter hit the stop button of the elevator, and the car halted midway between the twentieth and the twenty-first floor. My heart leaped in my chest at the sudden movement.

I gasped, and my eyes found his.

This was the end of me.

A darker shade of gray lit up Carter’s irises.

His hands balled into fists at his sides.

Carter zoomed in on me, his threatening gaze freezing me on the spot.

An animal grunt escaped his mouth.

My eyes caught the bobbing of his Adam’s apple.

My throat worked double time to swallow.

With buckled knees, I took a step back. Slowly. Carefully.

I leaned back against the rail rounding the inside of the elevator car, struggling to keep my balance on those three-inch heels, killing my feet a little more with each step.

Carter prowled toward me, and I sucked in a breath.

I had no way to escape. Nowhere to go.

I was at his complete mercy.

With another step forward, Carter caged me between his strong, defined arms against the mirror wall. My breathing hitched in my lungs.

I heard a buzz, probably the lobby trying to reach us, but the deafening pound of my racing heart buried its sound.