Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
Evie
The one-night stand with Nick ruined me.
It wasn’t the most romantic date I’d ever been on. We’d been at a road stop food truck and he chased off a bad date. But we clicked in a way that was impossible to explain. The sex had been perfect. I’d never been with someone who wasn’t slightly intimidated by me, and it’d been refreshing.
But then I ran away. After four orgasms, I’d snuggled in his arms, then laid awake wondering if I’d made a mistake. Wondering if I’d ruined my chances of going on a good date again, because I didn’t think Nick would ever come to Whynot. And why would he?
I couldn’t leave my bakery, and I couldn’t ask him to give up his plans just because we had one magical night.
So I left.
Since then, the idea of even trying to date someone else just didn't work for me. Didn’t excite me. I had a thousand failed dates, then the best date of my life.
Over the last two months, I dreamed countless times that he would show up on my doorstep, like I was a princess and he was a prince, and we’d run off together.
But now I was going on a date with Matthew.
And somehow going on a date with him felt just as right as the night with Nick.
I put the last curl in my hair, turned off the iron, and looked myself over in the mirror.
Sleeveless sundress, sandals with a little bit of a heel, a red lip, and brown smoky eyes.
Not over the top, smoky but subtle and sexy.
Even with the ghastly burn on my arm and the dressing around it, I felt hot.
I wasn't sure where we were going tonight, so there was a very real chance I’d be overdressed.
But I didn’t care. I loved dresses. I probably owned too many—I had a closet and a half full of them.
And you know what? I'd yet to have an occasion where I didn't have a dress that worked.
Plus, there were worse ways to spend money.
“Okay,” I breathed out.
I felt sexy. Having lingerie on under the dress helped.
I’d landed on the red set. Mostly because it matched my lipstick, but also because the black set was a little sexier and kinky in a way that I wanted to save for the future. If there was a future. Maybe nothing would happen, maybe I was overthinking it. Did I even want something to happen?
Yes.
After years of rarely having sex, Nick awakened a monster. It didn’t help knowing my friends were off having mind-blowing kinky sex. I was one hundred percent jealous of them, and I wasn’t ashamed to admit it.
It was my turn.
After leaving Austin speechless, I hadn't heard from him.
I also hadn't heard anything about it from June or Avery, which meant he hadn’t said anything about our exchange.
Which wasn't surprising, he often kept things to himself, even when it was detrimental.
Or he'd go the complete opposite way and completely blow up everyone's lives because he got in his head about it.
God, I needed to stop thinking about that man.
The doorbell rang and I smiled. It was polite to ring the doorbell, whereas Austin had banged on it like he was ready to break it down. Asshole.
Matthew was right on time.
I opened the door and my mouth dropped.
Matthew looked amazing. He wore a midnight-blue velvet blazer over a silky black T-shirt and slacks.
The dark blue popped against his rich brown skin, and a silver necklace gleamed around his neck, a heart-shaped locket that rested against his collarbone.
His broad shoulders filled his blazer in a way that made me want to moan.
He offered me a nervous smile, his warm eyes crinkled behind his glasses.
He looked absolutely perfect.
And this was, very possibly, the first time a man had outdressed me.
“Holy shit,” I whispered, grinning.
He handed me a bouquet of red roses. “You look gorgeous, Evie.”
“Hold on,” I laughed. “You look too good. I’m not used to someone dressing up more than me. I don’t think I’ve ever been on a date with a man who didn’t wear muddy boots. I’ve got to change.”
“But you look perfect—”
I shook my head and tugged him inside. He smiled at me as my hand lingered on his chest a little longer. “I have the perfect dress that’ll match. Do we have an extra five minutes?”
“We’ve got all the time you need,” he said. “But you look perfect.”
I held up my hand. “Five minutes. Save your compliments.”
The timbre of his laugh followed me as I rushed back to my bedroom. I ripped open my closet door and grabbed the black crushed velvet dress that would hug every single curve.
A few minutes later, I’d swapped my dress and heels, and took a moment to breathe in the scent of the roses he’d brought.
He was sweet. Sweeter than these.
Matthew turned around as I walked back down the hall. His eyes widened and he shook his head. He held out his hand and lifted. “Fuck. I’m speechless. Give me a twirl?”
I grinned from ear to ear as I did a spin for him, his hand warm in mine.
“You’re perfect.” His eyes dropped to my lips, then flickered back up to mine. “For the record, I loved the other dress. But you are beyond stunning in this one.”
“And we match,” I said. “I’ve never had that happen before. Usually I’m overdressed or do too much.”
“You can never do too much. You always look beautiful, and I love all your dresses. Next time we can coordinate,” he promised.
My stomach fluttered. Next time. “That sounds like a plan to me. Ready?”
Matthew hummed. “Almost? Can I kiss you?”
“And ruin my lipstick?”
“I’d like to.”
Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I smiled up at him. Yes, I wanted him to ruin my lipstick. I wanted him to do so many things to me. “Yes, you can kiss me.”
“Thank god,” he murmured.
His hand slid around the back of my neck, cradling my head as my head tipped back.
He pressed his lips against mine, and they were gentle.
His beard was soft against my skin. Our kiss was easy and almost friendly, aside from the whiplash of need curling through my belly.
I gripped his shirt, twisting my fingers in the fabric as he deepened the kiss, taking his time.
His tongue swiped against mine, hot and needy.
My head spun and he kissed me until I was breathless.
“Matthew,” I croaked.
He gave my hair a gentle tug. “Let’s get going.”
Part of me wanted to blow our dinner plans and drag him off to my bed.
But instead, he opened the door for me, and I stepped out onto my porch.
I was met with a wave of dry heat and a sun that was starting to dip below the horizon.
The sky was a thousand shades of pink and orange, and it felt like the perfect sunset for us to have shared our first kiss.
Matthew never let me touch his car door. I snorted as he reached around and opened it for me.
“Are you going to buckle me in again like last time?” I asked.
He smirked. “Would you like me to?”
“Any excuse to get your hands on me, yes.”
He leaned into the car and grabbed the seat belt, pulling it around me and clicking it into place. He grabbed my chin gently. “You don’t need an excuse for that.”
Smooth. My cheeks flamed pink as he went around to the driver’s side and got in.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do with you,” I sighed. “You’re too sweet. Too handsome. I still can’t get over you outdressing me.”
“This isn’t even my best outfit,” he said as he started driving us. “I don’t get to wear my nice clothes very often because of where I work, but that’s also why I like them so much. Especially nice blazers and vests.”
I checked my lipstick in the mirror as I thought about him in a nice vest. Sleeves rolled up. Yeah, I needed to see him in that.
I caught him looking over at me as I reapplied my lipstick. “Eyes on the road, sir.”
He laughed. “I’ll do my best. Might be difficult. Also, I never asked you how late you wanted to stay out.”
“Well, considering I’m off until Monday, now is the time for me to stay up late. Although admittedly, I will probably fall asleep on you around midnight. The legends say I turn into a pumpkin around then.”
“Oh, interesting. A pumpkin, hmm?”
“Yep.” I put the mirror back up then relaxed in my seat, looking over at him. “Thanks for driving us.”
“Of course. Always. And I think I can have you home by midnight. The place we’re going to is about forty minutes away, I hope that’s okay.”
“Honestly, I’m glad. I don’t need everyone in town breathing down our necks.”
Matthew chuckled. “Would that bother you? I know they can be nosy.”
“No,” I said immediately. “I don’t care what they think, truthfully. It’s more that I just want to focus on us, not fighting one of the Golden Girls who’d probably throw themselves at you.”
“You have a point. They’ve tried at least once.”
I started laughing so hard, my stomach hurt. “Oh god. Did they proposition you?”
“Oh yeah. In the middle of the emergency room, no less. It was my second week here.”
“Wow. What a way to be welcomed to Whynot.”
“It was something else. Did wonders for my ego, though.”
“Oh, I bet. It would for me too.” My phone rattled in my purse and I fished it out, glancing at my messages before putting it on Do Not Disturb.
Avery
Why is your location moving right now? Where are you going?
June
Yeah, you’re supposed to be relaxing
Me
Y’all are a bunch of stalkers. I’m going on a date with Matthew. I’ll report back later
Avery
DR. SEXY!!!! WHEN WERE YOU GONNA TELL US???
I tucked my phone away with a giggle.
“What is it?” Matthew asked.
“Just June and Avery wanting to know more about our date. I did keep it to myself, but I’ll be telling them everything. In detail.”
“I figured as much. I’m under council review.”
“Yep. Although they already like you. Especially since you helped out with Laura.”
His expression softened. “Yeah, well, it was the least I could do. How have things been there?”