Catching Summer (Second Chances, #6)(32)

I waved him off. “Oh, just talking about how Derek’s a moron. You know, the usual.”

He chuckled and held my hand as we ventured inside the hotel. The lobby was amazing, with a fountain in the center surrounded by exotic flowers. I stayed there and sat on the ledge while Evan checked us in. He looked back at me and smiled, and I couldn’t help but tremble. I didn’t want to be nervous, but I was. It was a good nervous.

“Are you ready?”

“Sure,” I answered, my voice a little too raspy. “Are you sure you can carry all of that? I can get my bag if you want.”

Over his shoulder he was carrying two of my bags and one of his. I felt bad, but he jerked away when I tried to grab one of mine. “If you don’t stop trying to steal your bag, I’m going to carry you over my shoulder.”

“I think that would make an interesting headline,” I laughed. “Speaking of headlines, when is the article you interviewed for coming out? Mine will be out next month for the fall issue.”

A sly smile spread across his face. “December for mine. Why?”

“I’m curious to know what you said. For all I know, you probably told them you wanted a superhot model with large tits.”

We stopped at our door and he burst out laughing. “I might have. I guess you’ll just have to wait and find out.” He opened the door and held it open so I could walk in. I gasped at the sight before me. The dark wooden floors and cream furniture gave the room a bright yet soothing ambience.

“Evan, this is amazing. How much did it cost?” I went straight to the patio door and opened it wide. We had our own private fireplace with a large hammock covered in cushions and pillows, and the most amazing view of the mountains.

“The cost is of no importance,” he said from behind me. “I thought you might like it.”

“Like it? I love it. This place is so beautiful.”

As he placed his hands on my shoulders, I leaned into him and enjoyed the view. I could stand there and look at the mountains all night. “There are two bedrooms,” he murmured.

“What?” I said, turning around. “Why two?”

He brushed his thumb along my cheek. “I didn’t want to presume anything about this weekend. I’m willing to go at your pace.”

“You’re really okay with that?” I wondered aloud.

Pulling me to him, he kissed me softly and then deepened it. His tongue glided across mine and I closed my eyes, relishing the feel of his hands on my waist, holding me against him. “Just as long as I can kiss you anytime I want, I’ll be happy to wait for when you’re ready. Right now, I want to take you on a date.”

“I’d like that.”





Chapter 16


Summer


We ended up eating at a fancy steakhouse that had the best chocolate cake I’d ever tasted. The steak was good, but nothing compared to the dessert. “Are you going to start serving chocolate cake at the restaurant now?” Evan teased.

“I might have to. The only problem is that I’d probably gain fifty pounds if I did.” That was why we were walking around the gardens at the hotel. I had eaten so much I could barely move.

Evan chuckled. “You’d still be sexy if you did. For so long, all I’ve been around are women who only cared about what they looked like. I almost thought that was going to be my life, a trophy, with an endless parade of women who only wanted me to be in the spotlight.”

“I would rather be alone than live like that.”

“I basically was. At least until you decided to be mine.”

I smiled up at him. “Same here.” We continued walking until we reached a gazebo that was right in the middle of the gardens, surrounded by lush flowers. The sun bathed the sky in warm glows of pink and orange, signaling its retreat; it was breathtaking. “What’s the longest relationship you’ve ever had?” I asked.

He snorted. “I don’t think you can consider any of the women I’ve dated ‘relationships.’ Lindsey was the longest at three months. She was just like the others. They’d get pissed when I wouldn’t shower them in gifts. I knew their games and I wasn’t going to play along.”

“I don’t expect gifts. You know that, right?” I whispered, facing him.

“I know. But there isn’t anything I wouldn’t give you.”

We sat in silence until the last remnant of the sun disappeared in the distance. Hand in hand, we walked back to the room, stealing glances here and there. When he opened the door, a chilled bottle of wine waited for us on the counter. “You’re not trying to get me drunk, are you?” I teased.

He chuckled lightly. “No, I just thought you’d like it.” When I got closer to the bottle, I recognized the label immediately. It was my favorite white wine. I hopped up on the counter and watched him open it.

“I see someone has been paying attention.”

He poured me a glass and handed it to me. “I’ve known for a while. Every time I’d come into the restaurant, you’d ask Grayson for a glass once the night was coming to a close.”

I took a sip and studied him. “I didn’t think you really noticed me back then.”

Shrugging, he poured himself a glass and swirled it around. “I did, but Lara was the one who warned me away. Even my sister told me to back off.”