Naughty in November (Spring River Valley Book 11) Read Online Free

to their table, and Taylor pulled out Dani’s chair for her. It all seemed surreal. He hadn’t been on a first date in twelve years. He might as well have been sixteen again, considering how awkward he felt.
    A small voice in his brain told him to relax, since this was the woman who had blatantly invited him to bed last night, but his more practical self reminded him there was no such thing as a sure thing, and it would be disrespectful to treat this gorgeous, intelligent woman like there was. She’d said the pace was his to set, and regardless of what Tanner had said, it was Taylor’s style to take things slow. No matter how it all turned out, he didn’t want Dani regretting that she’d chosen him.
    “I have to admit, I was surprised to hear from you,” she said once the waiter had left with their drink order. “I figured last night you probably thought I was insane.”
    “I thought you were certifiable,” he deadpanned.
    Fortunately, she laughed. “Good. Then we’re on the same page. I do want to apologize—”
    “No, I should be the one apologizing. I acted like a boob. My only excuse —and my brother told me I should tell you this—is that I’ve been living in a cave for ten years, and I have no idea how the world works. You were kind enough to be honest with me, so I’m going to do the same. I like you, and I would love to do anything you want to do, but honestly I’m out of practice as far as dating goes, or anything resembling social behavior that doesn’t involve talking to you about your pet’s health. If you can forgive me in advance for any more stupid, insensitive, or clueless things I say or do, I would appreciate the opportunity to spend time with you.”
    Dani was silent for a moment , then she picked up her water glass and raised it in a toast. “Apology accepted. Here’s to new social behaviors.”
    Taylor lifted his glass and clinked it against hers. “Here’s to us.”
     
     
    * * * *
     
    Dani leaned forward, her lips pressed together in a soft pout. She glanced down, checking the depth of her cleavage before re-applying her cherry-pink lip gloss in the mirror. The lighting in Taverna Fiora’s ladies room flattered her complexion and gave her hair a sassy, coppery tint that boosted her confidence and reassured her the night was going well.
    Not that she needed much of a boost. Taylor had been a dream date so far. He was funny, flirty and so sexy she’d had to stop herself several times from suggesting they skip dessert and go right to her place for something sweet.
    Maybe bad lighting would have helped her behave.
    After a few deep, calming breaths, she turned away from the mirror, promising herself she would be a good girl for the rest of the evening.
    “You’re a very lucky lady,” the brunette who’d just entered the ladies’ lounge said as she stepped up to the vanity and took a compact out of her purse.
    The woman looked familiar, but Dani couldn’t quite place her. “Oh?”
    “You’re with Taylor Croft, right?”
    Dani raised a brow. “Yes. Do you know him?”
    The woman offered a hand. “Sorry. You must think I’m crazy. I’m Bailey Cole. I’m friends with Evie Prentice. She’s Taylor’s brother’s girlfriend.
    It took a second for Dani to follow the convoluted connection. “Oh, okay. I haven’t met Tanner yet. Nice to meet you, Bailey.”
    “The two of them look exactly alike. It’s uncanny…well, they’re identical twins, so I guess uncanny isn’t the right word…”
    Dani laughed. Two Taylors would be a sight to see. “If you’re friends with Taylor, you should stop by our table and say hello.”
    “I will, thank you. I saw you two earlier, but I didn’t want to interrupt. It looks like a first date.”
    Cheeks heating, Dani nodded. Was it that obvious? Could even near perfect strangers see how nervous she was tonight? “Yes, but we’ve been friends for a while. We sing together in a band—”
    “Love Notes. You guys are great. My