25. River
Chapter Twenty-Five
RIVER
His stare felt like it was searing my skin right through my clothes.
My body caught fire.
If he didn’t avert his gaze, my jumpsuit might have turned to ashes, leaving me in nothing but my birthday suit.
“Don’t forget what I told you,” my son said, drawing Huntley’s focus and allowing me to cool down.
He nodded at Lennon. “You have my word.”
They may have been talking about me when I was standing right in front of them, but I knew my kid needed to speak his peace, so he felt like he was protecting me. Besides, I was too nervous to protest that I could handle myself. In truth, I loved Lennon watching out for me and had been secretly enjoying Huntley’s protective nature as well.
I shifted from foot to foot as my son finished talking to my date, and all the self-assurance that the ladies managed to instill in me while getting ready drained from my body. I turned to escape.
No way can I do this.
Soft hands grabbed my shoulders and spun me back around, before Gemma whispered in my ear. “You got this. Believe in yourself.”
My eyes snapped back to Huntley, whose gaze was once again soaking me in.
His deep, husky voice sent a tingle shooting through me. “You’re beautiful.”
With his intense focus on me, the ladies swooning behind me, my sister and kids watching me intently, I floundered to find something to say. When all that came out was a simple, “Thank you,” I rolled my eyes at myself at how inadequate the two little words seemed.
But Huntley’s smile said otherwise.
The man looked happy to be in my home and there to take me out. And he also looked extremely out of my league. Dressed in a pair of clean black, skinny jeans that hugged his muscular thighs and a sharp, white T-shirt with classic white sneakers, he was the epitome of casual and sexy as hell.
He moved slowly toward me with an ease to his gate, sleek like a panther hunting its prey. Huntley’s smile grew and my stomach flipped with anticipation as he inched closer. When he was right in front of me, my body leaned toward him on its own accord, and I couldn’t stop myself from breathing in his intoxicating scent.
I may have had some wine as we got ready, but not enough to even make me tipsy. Although I was rather sure, the smell of the gorgeous man in front of me and the way he was looking at me could do it.
Huntley chuckled. “Are you smelling me?”
Fire flared throughout my body and I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment. “No-o, w-what?” I sputtered.
Moving closer so only I could hear, his breath tickled my ear and sent goosebumps skittering across every inch of my skin. “I love that you like the way I smell, sweetheart.”
Holy guacamole, a shiver darted through me and a tingling sensation began in my core. It was a feeling I found myself embracing instead of being repulsed by. Before I could contemplate that further, he leaned back and glanced down between us, my orbs following to where I saw our hands hanging so close together but not touching. I knew what he wanted, the guy was nothing but respectful and careful when it came to touching me.
I understood why, but a piece of me wanted to feel normal. To know that I wouldn’t freak if he reached out and grabbed my hand. It would be up to me to tell him that, but right then I just wanted to feel him, so I slipped my hand into his.
We both sucked in a breath and our eyes snapped to one another. Did he feel it too? It was like as soon as we touched, a jolt of electricity snaked up my arm. There was chemistry in play between us and it freaked me the hell out.
Movement behind me caught my attention and I suddenly remembered we had an audience. I scanned the room in front of me, taking in my sister, son, and daughter, who all wore amused expressions. They obviously found it entertaining to see me acting like a teenage girl getting ready for her first date.
Truth was, it was my first.
I glanced over my shoulder and the ladies behind me all smiled sweetly, nodding their heads in encouragement. Turning my head back to my date, I pulled in my bottom lip nervously, and bit down. It was a bad habit but one I couldn’t seem to break. Especially when I was in freak out mode.
Huntley gave my hand a little squeeze. “You ready to go?” “
After releasing my lower lip, I ran my tongue over it to soothe the sting and heard Huntley groan. His eyes dilated with desire and he leaned in close so only I could hear him. “ You don’t know how bad I want to be the one doing that right now.”
“Are you flirting with me?” I blurted out, causing him and everyone to laugh even if they didn’t hear a word he’d just said.
I am such a dork.
“Yes, my little warrior, I’m flirting with you.” He winked and then gave my hand a slight tug, pulling me with him toward the door as he teased me. “There will be more throughout the date, stay tuned.”
Frantically looking over my shoulder again, I motioned for everyone to follow. Luckily the ladies that would be in attendance for the evening had gotten ready before helping me so they would follow us.
“I’ll drop off Bre and Lennon at my place to watch Stormi, then Bronson and I will be right behind you,” my sister said.
We all stepped out of the house and I noticed cars waiting with the ladies' men inside, ready to take them out as well. Summer was headed home after graciously coming to help me, but Capri, Gemma, and Ruby, along with my sister, were all going out.
I felt myself wishing everyone could go but knew that wasn’t happening. London was tired as she moved through her pregnancy and chose to stay home. Summer, Gyth, Jurnee and Braxton, were all watching kids while the rest of us went out. And it sounded like Patience opted to stay in with her son and Pops, along with Ruby and Lyric’s kids.
We’d still be a force of a group once we all gathered at the bar and grill we were going to. I’d heard from everyone that there was great food, live music, and dancing.
One issue… I don’t dance.
The ladies called out, letting me know they’d see us there, and car doors echoed in the early evening breeze that surrounded us .
Huntley pulled open the passenger door for me and dropped my hand so I could get inside. Just before I climbed in, Bre rushed up to me and gave me a big hug. I let it soak in. It wasn’t that she didn’t ever hug, it was just that she didn’t do it that often.
She and I were so much alike.
“Have fun,” she whispered in my ear before releasing me and darting to her aunt’s car where Bronson waited.
Bre was stoked about babysitting her niece, even if Lennon was tagging along to make sure they were okay. It was her first paying babysitting job; one she jumped at the chance to claim when Lake had asked her.
“See you later,” I called out to the kids.
Once I was in the passenger seat, Huntley grabbed my seat belt and pulled it across my chest, snapping it closed.
“I know how to buckle up,” I said in a humorous tone.
He smirked. “I know, but I like to do things for you, and besides, it lets me be close to you.”
Butterflies danced in my belly. “Oh.”
“You okay with that?” he asked me.
I nodded.
“Good,” he said softly. “Gonna kiss you now because I can’t wait. Is that okay?”
Another nod, because I’d longed to feel his lips against mine again since the first time on my couch.
“This time I’m gonna need your words, sweetheart.”
I licked my lips in anticipation, stirring another groan from my date in such a short time. It baffled me that I affected him the way I did.
“Yes, I’d like you to kiss me,” I managed to get out.
Without another word, Huntley leaned into the car, softly put his hand on the side of my neck and closed the distance between us before placing a tender kiss against my lips .
Something ignited inside me and I responded in a way that not only shocked me, but my date too.
My mouth opened and my tongue tentatively darted out seeking something more. Huntley stilled at first but then a deep groan rumbled from his chest and he slanted his head, diving into the kiss I was longing for.
Our tongues dueled, our breath mingled, and I found my hands rising to grip his upper arms for support as my world went topsy-turvy.
When he pulled back, we were both panting. Huntley stared at me for a beat, piercing-green eyes bright with lust that I felt down to my bones.
“That was a nice surprise,” he said in a gravelly voice.
I raised my hand to touch my mouth that vibrated from where his lips had just been.
“Are you okay?” he asked me.
His hand still on the side of my neck, he gazed into my eyes waiting for a response.
I’m not sure what had come over me, but I didn’t regret my impulsiveness. “More than okay,” I told him.
Huntley’s smile was blinding. He stroked his thumb across the spot where my pulse beat frantically before dropping his arm. “Best start of a date ever,” he said before shutting my door.
I was being honest. Kissing Huntley felt natural and the intensity of the kiss hadn’t frightened me. He made me feel safe. I wasn’t sure that would be the case with everything when it came to being with a man and that still scared me, but I could get on board with repeating that kiss.
Over and over.
I’d been correct .
Looking around at the table as we waited for our food to come, I couldn’t help but smile at the beauty and testosterone sitting in every seat. I could only imagine what the other onlookers thought as they took in the group.
“What are you thinking?” Huntley asked from beside me. “You have a big grin on your face.”
Of course he would notice. The man was attentive and aware of everything not only I did, but also of everything around us.
He wouldn’t let me get out of his vehicle until he came around to retrieve me. When we’d gotten out, he made sure I was tucked into his side—after asking for permission to put his hands on me of course—and maneuvered around any cars. I’d also watched him scan the room, his intense gaze taking it all in before we were seated.
All the other men had done the same I noticed as well. Not once did his protectiveness bother me and it was obvious the other woman didn’t mind either.
“I was just thinking the others in this place tonight must be jealous of the gorgeous men and beautiful women we are with.”
Huntley growled. “Did you just call my friends hot?”
When I wiggled in my seat unsure what to say, Huntley chuckled. He was teasing me and seemed to like to do that. Fun wasn’t part of my vocabulary before meeting the man next to me and I was still figuring it all out.
“You’re hotter,” I told him, placing my hand on top of his resting on his thigh, which jumped at my touch.
Looking into my eyes, he threw my words back at me from earlier. “Are you flirting with me?”
A giggle burst out loud and clear, causing everyone to turn to stare at me, their own conversations coming to a halt. I wanted to cover my face with my hands or run for the bathroom to hide .
When I didn’t offer up anything on Huntley’s and my conversation, they all gave us an amused look and went back to their own business.
Huntley’s mouth was close to my ear after all eyes were off of us. “You’re the most beautiful woman at this table.” His soft breath tickled the shell of my ear again and I trembled in my seat.
I felt myself blush for like the hundredth time already since the date started as I shook my head. I was nowhere in the same zip code as the other ladies when it came to looks.
“Don’t do that.” He turned his hand over so that our palms were touching. “You are fucking gorgeous and the only one I have eyes for.”
Hello floor, save me a soft spot to land because this man is going to turn me into a pile of goo before the night is over.
Staring into his eyes, I knew he meant every word but was sure he must have lost his marbles when my gaze wandered over the group of women again.
Alley, Teal, Brinley, Ruby, Gemma, Capri, and Lake, were the gorgeous ones. We were just missing Jurnee, Summer, London and Patience. Four more ladies who would just add to the beauty I was surrounded by.
Then you had their husbands, all of whom were strikingly handsome.
But none held a candle to the man next to me.
“Promise you’ll dance with me after we eat.”
I turned back to Huntley. “I don’t know how.”
Tilting his head, he studied me. “I can show you,” he said just as the waitress came over with all our food causing a distraction.
As much as the idea of doing something I had never done and being held by the extremely sexy man next to me held appeal, I didn’t want to make a fool out of myself.
And what if I enjoyed it too much ?
Getting used to being with Huntley and then getting let down or having him vanish still weighed heavy on my heart.
Along with never being what he fully needed.
I’d thought the talk of dancing had been resolved, but a few minutes later, Huntley said, “I’ll talk you into it and I always have the gals to help convince you to give it a shot.”
Between him and the ladies, I probably didn’t stand a chance of saying no.