You Promised Me Forever (Forever Yours #1)(31)

Totally ridiculous, right? God, it’s the best feeling ever.

I consume everything on my plate, leaning back in my chair once I’m finally finished, satisfaction running through my veins.

“Best steak ever,” I declare.

“You enjoyed it, hmm?” He lifts a brow, that same stupid sexy move he used to pull on me when we were eighteen and I was captivated by every single thing he said or did.

“Definitely.” I nod toward his plate, which is also completely empty, save for a sprig of some unfamiliar herb lying discarded. “You liked yours too?”

“This place is my favorite.”

I prop my elbow on the table, resting my chin on my curled hand. “Is that why you brought me here? To share your favorite restaurant with me?”

He stares at me from across the table, his jaw working, like he’s trying to figure out what to say next. There’s a candle flickering in the votive between us, casting his gorgeous face in shadowy planes and angles, and I realize he’s so close I could reach out and touch him. Trail my fingers across his jawline, cup his cheek, trace his lower lip…

Oh God. I sit up straight, my head feeling a little too wobbly. I’ve had sooo much wine. That must be it. That’s why I feel so much…

Yearning.

Longing.

For Jordan.

“There are lots of things I want to share with you,” he finally says, his gaze never leaving mine. I could get lost in his beautiful blue eyes. Drown in them. Die in them.

Oh, I am feeling downright poetic right now. This is crazy.

“Like what?” I prop my chin on my fist again, sighing happily. I don’t want this moment to end. I feel like I’m having a dream. The best dream ever.

“I want to take you back and show you my townhouse. And eventually, my house in Sonoma,” he says in that velvety low voice of his. I swear, all he did was answer my question and his voice alone made my nipples hard.

“I would love to see your house in Sonoma,” I say breathlessly. “I’ve never been to Sonoma before.”

“It’s beautiful.” His mouth curves into this closed-lipped, lopsided smile. “You’re beautiful.”

My cheeks go hot and I blink away from his intense gaze, staring at the table. “Thank you.”

“You still have a hard time taking a compliment, Mandy?”

I lift my head, my gaze meeting his once more, defiance filling me. “No. Not anymore.”

“Really?” He sounds doubtful.

“Really,” I say firmly.

“So you won’t get embarrassed if I tell you that I can’t stop thinking about the fact that you’re completely naked beneath that dress?” Both his dark brows are up now, looking so ridiculously sexy I wish I could whip my phone out and capture a photo of him like this. So I can keep this moment tucked away forever in my camera roll.

“You like the fact that I’m completely naked beneath my dress, don’t you?” Ah, listen to me, being all flirtatious and daring. This is so unlike me.

“Truth?” I nod and he continues. “I fucking love the fact that you’re completely naked under that dress.”

I swallow hard at all the hunger I see in his eyes.

“And I’m dying to get you alone so I can take that dress off of you,” he continues, so very matter of fact. “But we have to wait.”

Whaaaaat? Why? “Why do we have to wait?” I press my legs together, fighting to calm the tingles between my thighs.

He smiles, but it’s tight, and his jaw is hard, like he’s barely containing himself. “It’s a secret.”

“A secret?” I am so, so curious.

“More like a surprise.”

“I love surprises.” I clap my hands together like a little girl and he actually laughs.

“You’ll definitely like this one.” His laughter fades, but that faint smile is still in place. “In fact, I need to go check on—things. I’ll be right back.”

He leaves the table and I watch him go, my gaze glued to his backside as he walks away. Damn, he is one fine looking specimen. How did I get so lucky to have this man come back into my life? What did I do to deserve this second chance? I could lie to myself and say this isn’t going to work, but I actually think it could.

Yes. I really think it could.

He’s gone for a few minutes and I reach into my purse, pulling my phone out to check my notifications. A couple of Instagram likes, one memory from Facebook today, plus Lena’s sent me three texts, all of them with plenty of exclamation points.

How’s your date with Jordan Tuttle??!!!!

Tell me what’s going on!!!!

OMG it must be good coz I haven’t heard from you!!!!!

Smiling, I type her a quick reply. So far it’s the perfect date.

I add a couple of heart eyed emojis to my text and hit send.

I’m about to slip my phone back into my purse when she responds. I’m so happy for you!!!!!! Her excessive exclamation points almost make me laugh.

Thank you. I’ll fill you in tomorrow.

I’m dropping my phone back into my purse when I spot Jordan striding through the restaurant, heading straight for me. Our waiter is following behind him, carrying a plate with a silver dome covering it. Jordan settles into his seat, his expression serious as the server pauses in front of our table.