Chapter 11

11

Rhett

I step into Ruby's, Marchy co-owns it with his younger brothers. They named it after their late mom. It's a cool place, with a dark, rustic look and I head to the end of the bar, where a bunch of the boys from Station 47 are gathered.

This is our place, the place we come to unwind after a bad shift, or we just want to have some drinks. Bunker bunnies hang out here, usually on the weekends, but they know not to approach when we're having choir practice. No, it's not singing, but it's when we've had a bad shift and just want to drink it away.

I'm not here because anything bad happened, it was just a long shift and we decided we needed to cut loose for a bit. If I drink too much, I'll take an Uber.

Grabbing a seat at the end of the bar, I order a whiskey neat from Marchy's brother, Luke. He slides it over and I take a long sip, feeling the burn down my throat.

"How's it going with Sofia?" Ghost Pepper asks, nudging my shoulder.

I can't help the smile that spreads across my face at the mention of her name. "It's good. Really good."

The guys start whooping and hollering, clapping me on the back.

"Look at Hollywood, all smitten," Atta teases.

I just shake my head, but I can't wipe the grin off my face. They're not wrong—I am completely smitten with Sofia.

"She's different, guys," I declare. "I've never felt this way about anyone before." I pick up my drink and take a large sip.

"Aw, our boy is in love." Hawk claps me on the shoulder and then holds up his beer. "Another one bites the dust." I know he is only kidding, because he's so in love with his girl.

"All right, all right." I laugh, holding up my hands in surrender. "Enough about me. What's new with you guys?"

The conversation shifts to other topics as we continue drinking and joking around. A few hours and several drinks later, I'm feeling pleasantly buzzed. I pull out my phone, debating whether to text Sofia, but I know she's working.

"Don't do it, man," Marchy warns, noticing me with my phone. "Drunk texting never ends well." He laughs lightly.

I sigh, knowing he's right. "Yeah, you're probably right." Before I put my phone away, I order an Uber. "I think I'm gonna head out. Thanks for the drinks, boys."

After saying my goodbyes, I step outside and wait for my Uber. As I wait, I can't stop thinking about Sofia. God, I miss her already and it's only been a day since I last saw her. I've never felt like this before.

Fuck, we haven't even had sex yet. Not that I don't want to because I do, but something inside me tells me to wait. Plus, I want to make it special for her.

The Uber arrives and I climb in. As we drive through the city streets, I lean my head back and close my eyes, still thinking about Sofia. Her sweet smile, her beautiful blue eyes, the way she fits perfectly in my arms.

I've never been one for serious relationships before, always preferring to keep things casual. But with Sofia, everything is different. I want more with her—I want it all.

When we arrive at my place, I thank the driver and head inside. My home feels empty and I find myself wishing Sofia was here with me. I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and chug it, knowing I'll need to hydrate after all those drinks.

As I get ready for bed, I can't resist sending Sofia a quick text:

Rhett: I hope work is going well. Had some drinks with the boys, going to hit the sack for a bit. Talk to you later? Have a good rest of your day, beautiful.

I set my phone on the nightstand and climb into bed. At least feeling a little buzzed, I know I'll at least get some sleep, and promptly pass out.

Rubbing my hands together, I then rub the finishing wax through my hair. I'm taking Sofia out on our first official date tonight. I'm fucking nervous, I don't know why. I have been on "dates" before. Maybe because she already means more to me than any other woman I've gone out with.

I adjust my black button-down shirt, making sure it's tucked in neatly to my dark jeans. Grabbing my leather jacket, I head out to my Jeep. As I drive to Sofia's place, my stomach is in knots. I've never felt this nervous for a date before.

Pulling up outside her apartment, I take a deep breath before getting out. I buzz her apartment and she lets me up. When Sofia opens the door to her pad, my breath catches. She looks stunning in a deep blue wrap dress that hugs her curves perfectly, and makes her sapphire blue eyes look even brighter. Her strawberry-blond hair falls in soft waves around her shoulders.

"Wow," I breathe out. "You look beautiful."

Sofia's cheeks turn pink as she smiles shyly. "Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself. Let me grab my purse."

I want to follow her inside, but if I do, we won't be going to dinner. She comes back to me, and I grab her hand. "Shall we?"

She nods, pulling her keys out. I take them and quickly lock it before we head out. Outside, I help her inside my Jeep and then move around to get in the driver's side. Her light floral scent wraps around me, making my dick twitch in my pants.

We drive to the restaurant, making easy conversation along the way. I take her to a nice Italian place downtown that has great food and a romantic atmosphere. As we're seated at our table, I can't stop staring at Sofia. She looks absolutely radiant tonight.

"This place is lovely," Sofia says, looking around with wide eyes. "I've never been here before."

"I'm glad you like it." I smile. "I wanted to take you somewhere special."

We order our food and wine, and as we wait, we fall into comfortable conversation. I love how easy it is to talk to Sofia. She tells me more about her work with the preschoolers, her eyes lighting up as she describes their antics. In turn, I share some of the funnier calls we've had at the station recently.

When our food arrives, we both dig in eagerly. Sofia lets out a little moan as she takes a bite of her chicken picatta. "Good?" I ask. She's turning me on, and she has no idea that she is.

Sofia nods enthusiastically. "So good. Want to try some?" She holds out her fork with a bite of chicken.

I lean forward and accept the offered bite, my eyes locked on hers as I close my lips around her fork. The chicken is delicious, but I'm more focused on the way Sofia's cheeks flush as she watches me.

"Mmm, that is good," I compliment after swallowing. "But I think I like my view even better."

Sofia ducks her head, smiling shyly. "You're such a charmer."

"Only for you," I reply honestly.

We continue eating and chatting, the conversation flowing easily between us. I love how Sofia's eyes light up when she talks about her kids, and how she listens so intently when I share stories from work.

After we finish our main course, I suggest we split a dessert. The waiter brings our crème br?lée and I swear to God that Sofia licks her lips as she stares at it. Now my dick is hard because I am imagining those lips wrapped around it.

Sofia takes a bite of the crème br?lée and closes her eyes, savoring the taste. When she opens them again, she catches me staring and blushes. "You keep looking at me like that," she points out softly.

"Like what?" I ask, leaning in closer.

"Like...like you want to devour me," Sofia whispers, her cheeks flushing deeper, if that's even possible. I reach across the table and take her hand in mine, stroking my thumb over her knuckles. "Maybe I do," I confirm, my voice low.

Sofia's breath catches and I can see her pulse quicken in her throat. The air between us feels charged with electricity.

"Would you like to get out of here?" I ask.

She nods wordlessly. I quickly ask for the check and pay, then lead Sofia out of the restaurant with my hand on the small of her back. We're practically running to the car.

In the car, the tension between us is thick. My place is closer, but I don't know if she's cool with that. "Your place or mine?" I ask quickly. God, I hope I don't scare her off.

"Um… uh… Is your place closer?" Her voice is husky, and my pulse quickens.

I take a slow deep breath, hoping to get myself under control. "Yeah, it is."

"O-Okay, let's go there."

I turn toward my apartment. I'm trying not to speed or drive erratic, but I can't wait to get her back to my place.

As we drive to my apartment, the tension in the car is palpable. I can feel Sofia's eyes on me and my hands grip the steering wheel tightly. When we pull into my parking spot, I take a deep breath before turning to look at her.

"Are you sure about this?" I ask softly. As much as I want her, I need to know she's ready.

Sofia nods, her blue eyes dark with desire. "I'm sure," she whispers.

That's all I need to hear. I quickly get out and move around to open her door, helping her out. We practically run to my apartment, my hand on the small of her back guiding her. At my door, I fumble with the keys for a moment before finally getting it open.

The second we're inside, I pull Sofia to me and capture her lips in a passionate kiss. She responds immediately, wrapping her arms around my neck. Our tongues begin to duel, and she whimpers into my mouth. I move my hands down her back until I have two handfuls of ass cheeks.

I pick her up with ease and she wraps her legs around my waist. Blindly, I move through my apartment until I reach my bedroom. I let her legs drop down to the floor and bend down, reaching for the hem of her dress, lifting until it is up and off.

Sofia reaches between us, unbuckling my belt, and then unbuttons my jeans. I quickly unbutton my shirt, but just enough to get it off. After kicking off my jeans, I reach out and turn on the bedside lamp.

"I want to be able to see you," I tell her softly.