Even though she was having breakfast with Jace when I called, she’d immediately started dishing information. Hailey gave me enough ammo for ten years’ worth of dates. It had taken two weeks to put everything together for tonight. Her enthusiasm had made me grin, especially when under her breath, she muttered, “Jace, you can take notes too, you know. Every woman appreciates this stuff.”

I’d heard Jace groan before saying, “Carter, you’ve just thrown me to the wolves.”

Val had worked from home today, so I was picking her up from her house. The front door was open, and when I called her name, she answered from upstairs.

“I’ll be right down.”

When she descended the stairs, my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. She was wearing a red, strapless dress. It was tight and relatively short. She’d paired it with black high-heeled shoes. I would be fixating on them the entire evening.

She leaned into a kiss, and I grabbed her waist with both hands.

“Val, I can’t go out of the house with you looking like that.”

“Why not? You said we’re going on a helicopter ride and then to dinner. Did the plan change?”

“No, it didn’t. But you just look....” I took a deep breath. “Every man who sees you will want you.”

She rolled her eyes. I tightened my grip on her waist.

“I want to be the only one who sees how sexy these legs are.” I moved one hand to her inner thighs. Her breath hitched.

“How gorgeous these breasts are.” I lowered my head to place open-mouthed kisses on the upper curve of each breast. When I straightened, I saw her nipples had hardened.

“Jesus, you’re not even wearing a bra.”

“You can’t boss me into changing, Carter.”

Her eyes snapped fire, and I captured her mouth before she got out another word. I rubbed my cock against her, barely restraining myself from carrying her upstairs when she whimpered.

“Carter!” She pushed me away and wrapped a scarf around her neck. It was long enough that the edges fell over her chest, covering her nipples. I groaned. I had a slight suspicion that Val didn’t see herself as nearly as sexy as she was.

“I can’t believe I’m finally going on a helicopter ride.”  Val’s voice was full of excitement as we stepped out on the landing area and the helicopter came into view.

“Thought it might be a good opportunity to see LA from the sky.”

“I’ve always wanted to do it.”

“I know.”

“You’ve been talking to Hailey.”

“Guilty.”

“Are you trying to impress me, mister?”

She had no idea.

“Just the two of us?”

“Yes. I didn’t want anyone else along for the ride.”