Redneck Romeo (Rough Riders #15)(76)

“Jungle girl, we’re gonna rip each other to pieces when we’re alone.” His mouth grazed her ear. “And. I. Can’t. Fucking. Wait.” He punctuated each word with a kiss.


Her entire body hummed with anticipation.


“But I promised to feed you first, so let’s go.”


Dalton clasped her hand and they climbed the stairs to the next level.


The host escorted them to a private table in the corner with windows on both sides.


She unrolled her silverware from her napkin and tried not to gawk. “This place is like…wow. Really upscale.”


Dalton looked up from the menu. “Food looks good. Since this meal is on the house, have whatever you want.”


The waiter delivered bottle of champagne and poured two flutes.


Rory raised her glass. “To Dalton McKay’s poker face and his incredible luck at cards.” When he growled, she laughed. “Kidding. To your winning strategy.”


They drank. Dalton refilled their glasses.


As he contemplated the menu, Rory studied him. Candle glow looked amazing on him. He’d mussed up his hair during the games and she preferred that wild look. His full lips were pursed as if he was deep in thought. When he glanced up at her from beneath the brim of his black hat, she was struck anew by his rugged good looks. It’d taken him longer to grow into that handsome face, but man, was it worth the wait.


“Sugarplum, why’re you lookin’ at me like you’ve never seen me before?”


“Because you’re gorgeous. Every woman in this restaurant is staring at you. They’re wondering what you’re like in bed.”


“If there are women in here besides you, I didn’t notice.”


She bit back a sigh and refused to let her cynical side get a foothold and warn her it was just another line.


Dalton ordered the elk medallions with a wild mushroom and bourbon demi-glaze. Rory ordered the pumpkin ravioli in a sweet cream sauce.


After the waiter left, she glanced up at Dalton to see him staring at her with a decidedly predatory look. “What?”


“Think anyone would notice if you hiked up your skirt and crawled onto my lap?”


“Pretty sure the entire restaurant would notice.”


“I’m game.”


“Well, I’m not. I don’t want anyone to see how it is between us.”


“Because it’s special?” he prompted.


“Because it’s so scorching hot between us that watching might make their eyeballs explode.”


Dalton smiled the wolfish gleam that turned the delicious curl of want inside her into a raging inferno.


“Stop that,” she hissed. “I am not gonna crawl on your cock and ride you like a pony.”


“Shame. Do I have other options?” He drained the champagne and poured more.


“Such as?”


“Watching you masturbate.”


“Right here, right now?”


“Yep.”


“Are you drunk?” she demanded.


“Nope.”


Rory cocked her head. “Suppose I did spread my legs and slip my fingers into my cunt to get myself off. You’d still be hard and horny. How would you benefit?”


Dalton plucked up her hand and rubbed the tips of his fingers on his lips. “The benefit for me is that you did what I told you. You have no idea how much I love watching you come. It’s even better—” he kissed her fingertips, “—and hotter when you do it for me.”


“Dalton, the list of things I won’t do with you or to you or have you do to me is pretty short. But I draw the line at diddling myself between courses in a four-star restaurant.”


That aw-shucks grin appeared. “Worth a try.”


Tempting to chuck a dinner roll at him but she resisted. “Can you dial back the I need to f*ck your brains out vibe, please? At least while we’re enjoying this meal?” Her gaze took in every inch of his face. “It’s a nice change for us, being out on the town, dressed up and eating fancy food.”


His eyes softened. “Baby, I’ll take you out for a nice dinner and show you off every night of the week if that’s what you want.”


“Not necessary. I want this night out with you. Celebrating you being the big money winner.”


“Deal.”


During dinner he entertained her with stories from his travels in Europe.


Yet he didn’t dial down the sexual intensity completely. It buzzed between them, making her hyperaware of his every movement. His every breath. His every uncompromising stare.


As Rory pondered dessert choices, she asked if he wanted to share. The molten look in his eyes when he murmured, “I’m havin’ you for dessert,” almost had her skipping the three layer chocolate cake with vanilla bean crème freche.


Almost.


Floating on champagne, an amazing meal and a cup of strong coffee, Rory faced Dalton when he placed his hand in the small of her back as they left the restaurant.


He lowered his head and she expected a gentle peck. But he consumed her mouth in a blistering kiss, revving that sexual need into overdrive. When he finally released her lips, she knew the buzz she felt was all from him.