The Good One (The Ones)

Chapter ten

Kasey

Holyshit,it’sSaturday. This week has gone by slower than hell. I guess that’s what happens when you have a big date that you’ve been building up in your head for the past few days. I can’t believe it’s only been a few days since I met Donovan. The easy conversation and the sexy texts just seem so natural to us. It’s a weird and exciting turn of events. Weird because, hello? Who is this saucy vixen I turn into whenever we chat or text? Exciting because some of the most unexpected things that happen to us in life have the power to make us the happiest. Donovan certainly makes me happy and tingly in all my lady bits. My little friend that I keep in my nightstand drawer has definitely gotten some use. I may or may not have had to put fresh batteries in it to keep up. Damn, though, that man sure knows how to make me wet with a few words. I’ve never had someone know what buttons to push to have my mind going to all the crazy places that it does with him. Only Donovan.

At least I didn’t have to keep the smile off my face and blush off my cheeks at work today. No, today I just have to get ready for my date tonight. I don’t know where the night will take us, but I have a few ideas. Never have I moved this fast with a guy, but this feels so right. I have to keep giving myself permission to feel this way and feel good about it. It’s so not what I’m used to doing. I’ve always been the responsible, practical one who doesn’t get crazy when it comes to a man. I’ve never had the time or inclination to put that much effort in. Although none of the men have been Donovan Hayes. He makes me want to explore this side of myself. The side I glimpsed at Club Noir.

I want to wear something daring like I did that night, but we’re going to some fancy restaurant tonight. I don’t think a tight dress with cutouts would be the right choice for this evening, although if Donovan’s texts are any indication, I don’t think he would mind. Maybe I should just answer the door naked. That thought makes me giggle and blush at the same time. That might take things to the next level a little too quickly.

I decide on a black formfitting dress with a satiny material that has a low-cut, square neck, and shows plenty of cleavage. It reminds me of something Marilyn Monroe would have worn and I feel beautiful in it. I wouldn’t consider myself curvy, but this dress really accentuates the curves I do have. My heels are slingback, patent leather with an open toe to show off my red polish. There’s just something about red polish and a fresh pedicure to make a woman feel sexy. Like she has it together and feels good about herself. I leave my hair down in loose waves. Donovan seemed to enjoy brushing my hair back the other night, so who am I to deprive him?

I’m just putting on the last touches of my lip gloss when the doorbell rings. Shit. I’m so excited that I feel like I could explode. I open the door to see Donovan in a dark gray suit, no tie, and an open collar. My God, he is one beautiful man. He takes half a step back and puts a hand over his heart.

“You look absolutely stunning, Kasey. I need a taste.” He practically growls that last part and I shiver at his words. He steps close to me. God, he smells divine. He runs his nose up my neck, inhaling along my skin as he goes, giving me a small lick right below my ear. I feel his chest rumble.

“Mmm, sweet, just like I thought,” he says.

Ho.Ly. Sh.It. And there go my panties. Again.

He steps back but keeps his hand on my waist.

“We should get going. I made reservations for seven thirty at a little Italian place I love.”

“Let me grab my purse,” I tell him as I turn on shaky legs.

He takes a step into my apartment while I go grab my bag.

“I like it,” he tells me as he looks around my small space. “Now I have a picture of where you are when we’re on the phone.”

I like the idea of him trying to picture me when we’re not together.

“Okay, I’m ready,” I tell him.

“After you, gorgeous.” He leads me out the door to the car parked in front of my building.

“Do you ever drive yourself anywhere?” I ask.

“Not usually. I’m always on the phone, going over speeches or paperwork all day, so it makes more sense to have a driver. That way I can focus on things that have to get done during the day without too much interruption. Tonight I didn’t want any distractions while I drive, and you in that dress would definitely have been a distraction,” he says with an appreciative look. Well, who can argue with that logic?

We get to the restaurant and are led through a back entrance to a private dining room. Fancy. The waiter sets menus in front of us, and after asking what kind of wine I like, Donovan makes a selection.

“I figured you for a cabernet girl. The dark, rich notes of a good cab seem like something you would appreciate.” He makes the wine sound so sexy, or maybe it’s just him. I could probably listen to him describe just about anything and be turned on by his voice alone. The waiter returns with the bottle and pours us two glasses. Donovan holds up his glass for a toast.

“To us and that amazing dress you have on tonight.”

I smile. “To us and whatever the night has in store.” I hold his gaze. I hope he is reading my not-so-subtle cues about what I want to happen. The way his eyes darken and the small, knowing smile on his lips tells me he reads me loud and clear, and has the same idea.

“So, Donovan, tell me something I don’t know about you. Something shocking,” I say as I sip my wine. Damn, he has good taste in wine.

“I can’t get over how amazing you look in the dress. When I leaned in to taste you tonight, I looked down the front of your dress to see if I could make out the color of your nipple,” he tells me with a smoldering look. He is definitely all for what I’m hoping happens tonight.

I have to giggle at that because I totally caught him looking earlier.

“Did you succeed?”

“No, unfortunately I did not.” The little pout he gives me is adorable. The way he can go from downright dirty, turning me on with his words and the looks he gives me, to playful and making me laugh, is a genuine talent.

“How about you, Kasey? What shocking secrets are in that head of yours?” He gives me another one of those looks. The ones that tell me he wants to hear all my deepest fantasies, and he wants to make them a reality. Should I tell him my most shocking secret? There’s really only the one. Until last week, my life was on the tame train with no stops anywhere exciting, but that was last week and this is now. I plan on living in the now with Donovan.

Just then, the waiter comes in and takes our order. Donovan orders the muscles and linguine in a creamy white wine sauce and the ossobuco alla Milanese for us to share. He was right about the wine, so I don’t mind him ordering the food. One would think I would be too nervous or too excited to eat. They would be wrong. I love a good meal and good wine. Especially good wine. The cabernet I’m drinking is already going to my head a bit. It’s making me think it would be a fantastic idea to tell Donovan about the sex club. I take another sip of my wine, letting the smoky, rich notes sit on my tongue.

“Last week I found myself in a sex club,” I tell him while watching for a reaction. He doesn’t look at all disturbed or put off by my confession. In fact, as he sits back in his chair, he looks intrigued by the idea.

“I didn’t actually do anything there. I didn’t really even see anything since I didn’t go back to any of the rooms. Did you know there are private rooms where you can go watch people do all kinds of things at these places? Anyway, I just danced and drank some really expensive scotch. The place was beautiful. Definitely not at all what I would have expected.” Am I rambling? I feel like I’m rambling. I’m nervous suddenly because he hasn’t said anything. He’s just sitting there looking at me with a small smile playing on his lips.

“I know. I saw you there dancing, and you were absolutely breathtaking.”

My eyes widen in shock. Wait. Hold on here for just a second. What? No way. Again, WHAT? My back is straight as an arrow. I can’t believe what he’s telling me right now.

Now his smile is absolutely lustful.