Page 64 of The Meeting
“Mama,” he laughed. “It’s our first date.”
Well, aside from all of those get-togethers that were basically dates, but weren’t technically, he added to himself. But because of those get-togethers, he knew he liked her and wanted to pursue more. It was probably the reason he was interested in more. Normally, he wouldn’t look at another woman after going through his divorce. He didn’t feel he was ready.
But Kailynn made him feel ready.
“First dates are important! It’s how you really get to know someone and decide if you want to continue seeing them.”
“I already know I do. We spent a lot of time together on her case.”
She gave a little squeal of delight, and he laughed. His mother liked to spoil him and his brother and treated them like they were her world. She enjoyed being engrossed in his life, and he realized he needed to make more of an effort to talk to her. His brother still lived in their hometown, so it was only Chase who she didn’t get to see or talk to often.
“So, tell me, where are you taking her? What are you wearing?”
“There’s a fancy restaurant in town I want to take her to. Also, I’m still trying to figure out what to wear. Jeans are too casual, huh?”
“If it’s a fancy restaurant, yes. Too casual.”
He discussed his different clothing options with his mom and settled on a pair of khaki-colored slacks and a red, long-sleeved, button-up shirt. When he looked at the time, he told his mom he needed to go and promised to call her later to fill her in on the date.
A half hour later, Chase was standing in front of Kailynn’s apartment door, holding a single red rose. His heart pounded in his chest and his palms sweat. He had never been this nervous going on a date before, not even with his ex-wife when they had first begun dating.
Clearing his throat, he knocked on the door and waited. Kailynn smiled as she pulled the door open. The breath whooshed out of his chest as he stared back at the stunning woman in front of him. She wore a slimming, black dress which hugged her in all the right places, and her hair was intricately placed on top of her head.
“Wow,” he breathed. “You look incredible.”
She blushed at his comment and held her door open wider for him to step inside. He handed her the rose, and she immediately put it up to her nose to take a deep breath before smiling back at him.
“Thank you. Roses are my favorite.”
He knew that, of course. He had the common sense to ask Abi before showing up.
“You’re welcome. Shall we?”
She nodded and grabbed a black clutch off the table before locking the door behind them. He rested his hand at the small of her back and a jolt of electricity shot through him. Opening the passenger side door, he helped her into the car before running around to his side. He took a deep breath before sliding into his seat.
When they arrived at the restaurant only a few minutes away from their apartments, he helped her out of her seat and held her hand as they walked to the restaurant’s entrance. She smiled up at him and he brushed a light kiss across her lips.
Keeping his word last night and behaving had been incredibly difficult for him. As she sat on his lap and ground down on his cock, he had wanted to throw her down on the couch and do dirty things to her until she cried out his name. Somehow, he had reined it all in. The first night they spent together in bed had been on a constant repeat, and he knew this night could end the same way.
His cock jerked in his pants at the thought of it.
Calm down, buddy.
Even though they had already kissed and done much more at his office and at his apartment, he didn’t want to give her the wrong impression. She wouldnotbe his fling. He wanted more than that with her. And, while the sex was amazing, he didn’t want her to feel like that’s all he was after. He needed to treat her right, and this was the best way he knew how.
The host showed them to their seats, and Chase pulled Kailynn’s chair out for her. She smiled at him before sitting. Going around the table to his own chair, he settled down, and the host gave them each a menu.
“Your server will be with you shortly.”
When they were alone, Chase set his menu down and smiled over at Kailynn.
“Would you like wine tonight or something else? Pick anything you want.”
“Hmm,” she hummed. “I think I might want a martini.”
The waiter walking up drew their attention away. “Hi, my name is Brian, and—oh, hey you two!”
“Brian! It’s good to see you!” Kailynn said.
