CHAPTER THREE

Riggs

“Your sister said you were adorable, but I think angelic is more accurate.”

Skylar’s blush accentuated her cherub-like appearance. She curled the paper napkin holder in her fingers over and over, waiting on their beer and appetizer at one of his favorite casual restaurants close to downtown Dallas.

He’d clearly scared the daylights out of her in the parking lot, but that was all the information Wren would give him. What kind of woman would hire an escort for their kid sister? Wren Lucas, for sure. She was nice, albeit a wild one for Riggs’ taste.

Her little sister, Skylar—cute and bubbly—definitely more his style.

As a Knight in the most exclusive luxury male escort agency in Texas, he’d make sure his new client was completely satisfied with her new city.

“Yeah, I’m mistaken for younger than I am all the time. I’m constantly carded. Which is why I don’t drink that much. Not because I’m against alcohol, but it’s a hassle proving my age all the time. Who has time for that? Especially in nursing school, wow. The jokes thrown at me…”

Riggs grinned. He loved the babbling trait.

She’s nervous.

Must have been a while since her last date.

“How do you know my sister?” she asked.

The waitress set down their beers.

“She hung out with some of my friends in Deep Ellum during her apprenticeship a few years ago. Designed a few tattoos for them. Nice girl.”

“Wild child is the term our mother uses.” She took her first sip, and licked her lip.

“She’s fun. Big heart. I’m guessing a family trait.” He winked. “Scrubs. The nursing profession.”

“Yeah, which is kind of why Wren’s pushing so hard for this,” she gestured between them. “A social life.”

Riggs tilted his head.

“I haven’t had one for several years. Been busy with school and testing.”

“I’m honored you said yes to me.”

“I have a soft spot for southern boys.” She pressed her lips together. As if she was embarrassed by the small confession. “This is my first blind date, set-up situation. Your first?”

He held back a chuckle. “No. Then again, this isn’t exactly blind.”

Her eyebrows crunched together.

The server dropped off their loaded nachos, and they ordered their dinners.

“Your sister wanted to make sure you had a great time. Told me a little about you in advance.”

“Really? What did she say, exactly?” She peered from the edge of her beer, taking a much larger sip. Her green eyes were playful.

Riggs rested his elbows on the table, mirroring her body language. A body that was hard to decipher under her medical scrubs. “New in town, normally a very trusting person, sometimes to a fault. Intelligent, funny, and adorable. Workaholic, to the point of leading your life down a dangerously boring path.”

Skylar snorted on her beer. Then laughed through her napkin. “Yep, that sounds just like her.”

He wiped a smudge from her chin using his own napkin. Enjoying the closer contact. Giving him a more distinctive apple cinnamon scent from her hair. As well as a better view of the subtle freckles sprinkled across her nose.

“Out of curiosity, why did you say yes?” he asked. Keeping his eye contact focused on her.

She rubbed her lips together. “For one, to get Wren off my back. Because she’s relentless. And…”

He waited.

When she paused again, he leaned a little further in.

“And?”

“An infinitesimal part of her is right. I could use a night out.”

Riggs reached across the table and gently grabbed her hand.

She curled her fingers into his.

He relished the warmth. “Nothing else?”

She shrugged with a shoulder. “I’m a sucker for Sinatra eyes.”

A light heat crossed his cheeks. He couldn’t resist using the Sinatra song. “How about a stranger in the night?”

Skylar giggled. The first time in her life, an actual giggle.

He brushed a stray hair from her face. “Are you ready for your intro to Texas?”

“What did you have in mind?”

“Anything goes.” He tossed her a wink.

“Can I change out of my scrubs first?”

“No.” He waited for her surprised expression, then smiled. “Of course.”