Rush: The Season (Austin Arrows Book 1)(100)

“Seafood.” That’s a no-brainer.

“Seafood it is.”

Oddly enough, my nerves settle rather quickly during the drive to the restaurant. Although I’d gotten myself all worked up prior to Kingston’s arrival, being with him has become comfortable. However, the sexual tension is still thick.

Kingston reaches his hand over the center console and grabs my wrist, pulling my hand toward him. I stare, not sure what he’s doing until he links his fingers with mine. This guy is now holding my hand and it feels … quite possibly better than sex.

Okay, maybe not, but the romantic gesture is the equivalent of a donkey kick in my chest. I give his hand a gentle squeeze, then return my attention out the window, hoping I can keep myself together until we get back to my place.

As it is, I’m tempted to crawl into his lap right now and ask him to make love to me.

Doesn’t matter that he’s driving.





Kingston

I’ve wanted to take Ellie out for a while now. Not because it’s part of the agreement but because I enjoy being with her. It seems the only time we see each other is when we’re either at the Penalty Box or naked. Both are great, mind you, but I want to go beyond that and give her a night out.

Hence, the fancy seafood place.

I wasn’t lying when I said I had reservations at two places. I’d done it just in case. Although I had suspected she would pick seafood, I wasn’t going to risk it.

And I’m glad that was her choice.

For the last two hours, we’ve been here at the table, enjoying expensive wine and delicious food while we talk about anything and everything. Like how Bianca decided blue was more her color than pink or purple, so of course her hair was changed to reflect that. How Bianca is insistent that YouTube is educational and it’s okay to laugh if you’re learning. I’m not sure what that means, but okay. About how Christmas is coming up and neither of us have any plans. And how the team is steadily working its way toward the play-offs this year.

Unlike our first breakfast date, Ellie doesn’t seem as nervous. Not after we arrived at the restaurant, anyway. I’ve come to enjoy our conversations, no matter the topic. I simply like talking to her, looking at her, listening to her. The woman has captivated me in a way no other has before her.

“So, how about dessert?” I prompt when I see the waiter coming our way.

Her cheeks brighten. “I was thinking we could have dessert at my place.”

Damn, I don’t think there’s a more perfect woman in the world.

When the waiter arrives, I ask for the check, then promptly take care of the bill before leading Ellie back outside. I like the way she loops her arm through mine as we walk. She smells so damn good it’s a wonder I’ve managed to keep my hands off her this entire time.

While we wait for the valet, I can’t resist kissing her. It doesn’t matter that we’re out in public, in front of a relatively busy restaurant, or that a few people in the restaurant recognized me. The only thing I want to do is put my mouth on hers.

Well, technically that isn’t the only thing I want to do (or the only place I want to put my mouth), but it’s high on the list.

When my lips touch hers, Ellie leans into me. She tastes like the sweet wine she had with dinner. And when she moans softly, it’s all I can do not to back her up against the wall.

It’s then that I realize how much I’ve missed her. I want to spend all my time with this woman, not only a couple of nights a week or a few dates a month. I want to have her with me all the damn time. Day, night. I’ve never felt that way about a woman. Ever.

The arrival of my truck puts a damper on the make-out session, so I regretfully pull away and help Ellie inside. I tip the valet on the way to the driver’s side, then climb in and pull away from the curb.

I’m eager to get back to her place. We haven’t spent the night together for a while now, and I’m looking forward to it. I want to make love to her until neither of us can breathe, then I want to fall asleep with her in my arms, wake up with her in the same place so I can make love to her all over again.

“Thanks for dinner.”

I glance her way and grin. “My pleasure.”

As I’m driving, I hear a muted ringtone, and I glance down at Ellie’s purse. “I think that’s you.”

Ellie instantly grabs the tiny clutch, pops it open, and retrieves her phone.

“It’s the bar,” she says, but I’m not sure if she’s informing me or questioning it.

I glance her way and she meets my gaze. She looks confused, as though she doesn’t want to answer. She confirms her hesitation with her next question.

“What if there’s a problem?”

“Answer it,” I tell her. If she doesn’t, she’ll just be freaked out, anyway.

I try to give her a little privacy when she answers, but it’s not easy because of the tight quarters.

“This is Ellie.”

Since I can’t hear what’s being said on the other end, I try to focus on the road.

“Yes.” Pause. “Okay.” Pause. “I’m … uh … I’m not sure I understand.”

The cracking in her voice has me looking over at her, and I see her eyes are wide and she’s staring straight ahead.

“Yes, I heard you.” Her eyes dart to mine. “No, now’s probably not a good time.” Pause. “That sounds good. Yeah ... okay. Sure.”