Page 103 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
“So, what’s behind the title,Whisper Sweet Nothings?”
“Well, the definition is the exchange of affections by lovers,” she said as she reached for her wine glass, with this sexy-as-sin smirk.
“And the characters exchange a lot of affection, huh?”
“Not in the beginning. It takes them some time.”
“And how about you? Are you affectionate in your relationships?”
She sighed. “I’ve told you that I’ve only had one relationship, which is sort of embarrassing for my age. But Jaden was not affectionate, nor encouraging. So I guess I like to write about it because I probably longed for it for years.”
“Again, the man sounds like a real tool.”
“Yeah. How about you? I know how affectionate you are with your daughter. And the way you are with me is definitely affectionate.” She chuckled as her cheeks flamed pink. “Is that the norm for you in relationships?”
“I honestly don’t know. I was definitely affectionate with Scarlet, though that wasn’t really her thing. And after she left, I only dated casually, so there hasn’t been a lot of—” I paused. “Hmm… what’s the word I’m looking for.”
“‘Wooing’?” she purred.
I leaned forward and ran my finger over the back of her hand. “I’d enjoy wooing you, Winnie.”
“I can get on board with that.” Her tongue swiped out along her bottom lip.
“Tell me what you want?” I asked, keeping my voice low.
“I’d like to see where this goes. No expectations, but no more holding back.”
“I’m down for that, too. What does that look like to you?” I’d need her to tell me what she wanted.
“So, we’ve done the friends with some benefits thing.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “So what if we add more benefits and stop holding back there, and up the stakes on the friendship by going on dates sometimes? Is that too much for you, Archie?”
I laughed. “It’s definitely not too much for me. It’s what I want, too.”
“I like you, Archer Chadwick.” She blew out a breath and reached for her wine glass.
“I like you too,” I said.
I like you so fucking much it’s fucking with my head.
“Then we’re on the same page.” I nodded as our server took away our salad plates and set down our entrées. She’d ordered a steak and I’d decided on the lobster, and we said we’d share both entrées.
Which was exactly what we did.
We laughed and we talked, and when I asked if she wanted dessert, she shook her head no as her cheeks flushed. “I’m ready to get home.”
Check, please.
I handed my credit card to our server and quickly signed the check, my gaze never leaving hers.
I reached for her hand and helped her into her coat, and once she was in the truck, I leaned over and buckled her seat belt, and her fingers grazed along my forearm. I leaned over and kissed her, and her hands moved to my hair, tugging me close. A gust of wind blew by. I had the door open and was standing in the parking lot.
“Take me home, Archie. No more waiting.”
I closed the door and then made my way around the truck, moving quickly as I got myself buckled. My hand found hers between the seats, and she smiled up at me.
When I pulled into the garage, I lost all my patience.
How long had I wanted this woman?
