Rush: The Season (Austin Arrows Book 1)(99)

I smile as warmth fills my heart. It would be. I would take that over anything else. I don’t care if my mom didn’t get me any presents. That’s all I want.

Gabby hops up. “Let’s go to the kitchen and get some cookies.”

I follow, trying not to imagine what it would be like if my dad showed up on Christmas Day to surprise me. I giggle. That would be the best thing ever. And I think my mom would probably think so, too. Even if she was angry at me for not telling her. If it was Christmas, she couldn’t be too mad at me, right?

Which makes it even better.





Ellie

For the first time that I can recall, it’s possible that I encouraged my daughter to go spend the night with Gabby. I also might’ve been tempted to call in sick for the first time in … well, ever … and I probably would have if Noelle hadn’t been so kind to let me off the hook for tonight.

I want to see Kingston and merely the idea of it makes my body hum. I don’t know why, and I’m not spending too much time trying to figure it out. It’s simply the way things are right now. And luckily, in about fifteen minutes, that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

I’m going on a date.

My first real date in at least a year—breakfast with Kingston or grabbing a hamburger after we deliver food all day doesn’t count. This is the real deal. The dress-up-like-you-want-to-knock-his-socks-off kind of deal.

Excitement mingles with anxiety, both of which run rampant through my veins. I spent the afternoon getting a mani-pedi, then treated myself to a facial, which I haven’t had in longer than I haven’t had a date. After that, I came home, soaked in the tub for almost an hour, then took a shower, dried my hair, and put on makeup.

I’m not sure I was this edgy on my prom night when I waited for my date—who was late, I might add—to come pick me up and face the wrath of my father.

Oh, how I wish my dad were here. He loved Kingston, and I’m sure he would be happy for me.

After pulling on my dress, I stop in front of the bathroom mirror and check my makeup. It’s subtle, I hope. Maybe more mascara than I usually wear. Still, I think I look good. I hope I look good.

When the doorbell rings, I suck in a deep breath and feel it rattle all the way through my body. I have no idea why I’m so freaked out. Kingston is the guy I’m having sex with. This is just a date.

Just a date.

Ha!

I can’t even think that with a straight face.

Before he has to ring the doorbell again, I make it to the front door. One more deep breath and I pull it open, gearing up to see him.

Jeezus, the guy looks like he just walked off of GQ, the sexy hockey edition. Only this hockey player looks nothing like he does on the ice. He’s wearing a black button-down, black slacks, and a black jacket. No tie, which is sexy in its own right.

“Hey, gorgeous.” Kingston holds up a single red rose—only this one is made of glass and looks incredibly fragile in his masculine hand—and I practically melt into the floor.

“Thank you.” My voice sounds strangled, but I can’t help it. The rose is an incredibly sweet gesture. I’m not a fan of flowers because to me it’s a waste of money since they die within a week. But a single glass rose… Very sweet.

His smile widens as though he can sense my anxiousness and possibly finds it endearing.

Before I can turn to get my purse, Kingston reaches for my arm, his big fingers circling my wrist as he pulls me into him.

“It’s probably not customary to kiss before the date…” His voice lowers an octave. “But I can’t seem to help myself.”

Personally, I don’t give a crap about customary, and I prove that when I meld my lips to his, exhaling as our bodies align. The kiss lingers for a few seconds, and Kingston is the one to pull back. Good thing, too. I’m not sure I would have.

“You ready?”

“Sure.”

Ready to get naked, absolutely.

Ready for sex, most definitely.

However, I don’t think that’s what he meant by the question, so I take the rose to the kitchen. It only takes a second to retrieve a hand towel from the drawer, lay it on the counter, and set the fragile rose on it. I don’t want to risk it falling off and shattering on the floor. With it securely in place, I head over to the counter and retrieve my clutch, opening it to ensure I put my cell phone and my house key in there. I did, so I’m good.

After I lock up the house, Kingston walks me to the truck.

“Where are you taking me?” I ask as Kingston helps me inside.

“Depends.” He leaves that hanging between us while he walks around to the driver’s side.

The instant the door is open, I’m questioning him again. “On what?”

“On whether you want seafood or steak.” Kingston puts the key in the ignition and starts up the powerful engine.

“So no reservation, huh?” I tease.

His smirk is slow and oh so sexy.

“Give me some credit. I’ve got reservations.” He winks. “I simply have to call and cancel one of them.”

“Sneaky.” And deliciously romantic, although I’m not sure Kingston would see it that way. “I like that.”

“I thought you might.” After putting the truck in reverse to back out of my driveway, he turns to me. “So which is it?”