Page 107 of All For You

“Oh, Darcy. That was a lot of planning.”

A slow smile lifted his lips, and I could tell he was pleased with himself about something else.

“I was aiming for the gray sweatpants of the Regency times,” he said.

I laughed, then examined his pants again and blinked hard. “The man has learned his tropes. And I, for one, appreciate this.”

If I’d ever questioned why romance readers loved gray sweatpants, there was not a sliver of doubt left. Like sweatpants, the thin gray fabric clung to his thick, strong thighs and narrow waist, outlining his muscles, and…anatomy. It wasn’t like he was naked, more like romance catnip.

“They are suggestive in that gray sweatpants way,” I said.

He looked a bit worried. “That’s what I realized after I put them on. Can I go out in them? You won’t be able to touch me until the end of the evening when we’re back in the car. What do you think?”

I crossed my arms over the green silk slip dress I’d worn the second night we met at Amor Inn. He’d loved it then and, from his burning gaze, seemed to love it now.

I raised my eyebrows. “I love them. Who wouldn’t?”

We locked eyes, and he shifted uncomfortably.

“If you’re going to look at me like that, I’ll have to change—and put on a full-length coat.”

“No, I insist on you wearing them,” I said firmly, taking a step closer. I tilted my head. “What inspired all this?”

“Like I said, being a good fanboy for my favorite author.”

“Darcy.” I wound my hands around his neck and stood on my toes.

My grandfather clock struck seven p.m. I jumped.

“Shoot, we do have to go,” he said. “We were supposed to be there at seven.”

He patted my bum and hustled me and the dogs out the door and into the car. But instead of heading to the new animal-friendly restaurant in the woods, he drove in the opposite direction.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“Surprise! But I think you’re going to like it.”

I did like surprises and he knew that, but I’d also looked forward to dinner in the forest with the dogs. However, I didn’t want to discourage his initiative. When we’d met, he’d said he didn’t like surprises. He liked routine and certainty and knowing the risks. Despite that, every day, something else emerged about his personality that amazed me.

Eventually, we pulled up at Amor Inn. Surely we weren’t having dinner here? I felt a little let down. I loved seeing Trystan and the Balfours, but they must already have a new batch of people attending “Must Love Animals” for pet-loving singles looking for their soul mates. But a tingle of curiosity took over.

Lights, loud music, and whooping blasted from the front windows. How did this fit into our restaurant evening?

“Are we picking up someone?” I asked. But he’d already swung out of the car and let the dogs loose.

“Come on.” He hurried to open my car door, took my hand, and led me to the front entry.

I glanced at him. “That sounds like a full-on party.”

“Mm-hm,” Darcy said.

At the door, I knocked. No one answered. No wonder—the music was too loud. I knocked again.

“I think it’s fine to go in,” Darcy said as he turned the handle.

The door was unlocked. Were they expecting us? Or more people? The roar of people whooping and the music grew louder. Darcy was leading me into a…party?He was dressed in Regency and taking me to aparty?Upside-down day.

Velvet capes, heavy and floor-length, were draped on the pegs inside the door. It must be a Regency party. I supposed that wasn’t such a shock, as Amor Inn held many themed gatherings. Without a word, Darcy took my hand and led me toward the door to the kitchen and opened it.