“Yeah, well, I don’t want to be late, so good night.” I quick step it back to Zoey’s, hoping that if body-snatchers have come to Williamson County today, they left my woman alone because she’s perfect just the way she is.

* * *

“Did I tell you that you look gorgeous?” I ask Zoey, knowing full well that I’ve told her at least three times already.

But she does. Her black hair is down, long and softly curled, and she’s wearing a bit of makeup that makes her blue eyes look sultry and mysterious—though I know she’s hiding the leftover bruising, and her little black dress hugs curves that I’m dying to get my hands on.

“Hmm, I can’t remember,” she teases. “Maybe?” She takes a sip of her wine, trying to hide her pleased smile.

We’re sitting at the fancy restaurant Trey recommended as the place he took Serena for their last anniversary, our delicious dinner eaten and a bottle of wine shared between us. But there’s one more thing I want to do before we go back to my place tonight.

“I got you something,” I tell Zoey seriously. This isn’t a gift in the dictionary sense of the word. It’s not a token given freely with no expectation of reciprocity. Oh, no, I expect something in return. I expect Zoey to wear my gift every day.

“You did?” Zoey’s eyes light up, and I pull the box out of my jacket pocket and set it on the table. Her breath catches in her throat at the small, black velvet box. “Blake?”

I fidget with the box, nerves shooting through me. Is she going to think this is weird? Or stupid? It’s not the usual gift from a man to a woman, that’s for sure.

But it’s not for a usual woman.

It’s for Zoey.

“It’s not what you think. Don’t freak out on me. It’s only our first date,” I tease. “No wedding rings . . . yet.”

I see Zoey’s relief, her chest lowering as she releases her held breath. God, I could watch her simply breathe all day, her breasts rising and falling hypnotically. She places her hand over mine, and I’m knocked out of my trance, lifting my eyes to hers, which are sparkling with humor.

But I don’t mind being busted looking at her. I want to look at her every day for the rest of my life. And one day soon, I will.

But not on our first date.

Tonight, I want to give her something else. “You are an extraordinary woman, Miss Walker. I see you, I respect you, and I want to know every little quirk in that sexy brain of yours. Whether I understand it or not, if it means something to you, it means everything to me.”