They were interrupted when Katie, a Bad Ass Bitch club member, stopped by their table to take their order. “Oh, my God—you guys look so cute together!” she gushed, grinning widely. “I cannot believe you kept this a secret. Sierra didn’t even hint at this during any of our meetings but how can I blame you? Everyone’s always talking about how hot Kane is and how they want to bang him. I would’ve felt awkward, too!”
Kane laughed. “I’m flattered anyone in your group would deem me worthy.”
Sierra snorted but Katie gave a dreamy sigh. “You have no idea. Sierra, you’re so lucky. I heard you asked her out officially in Flirt, which was adorbs.” She lowered her voice. “Just watch out for Maddie. She’s feeling a bit rejected since you always chat her up when you get your coffee, so she thought you were interested. The news crushed her a bit.”
Kane frowned with concern. “I’m sorry she feels like that. I like to talk to her because she makes me comfortable, like a good friend. Can you explain that if you see her?”
Katie lit up. “I definitely will. You’re such a sweetie.” She patted him on the shoulder. “What can I get you to eat?”
They both ordered crab cakes, mashed potatoes, and green beans along with a bottle of Cabernet. He shot her an amused look. “I didn’t know you talked about me.”
She refused to inflate his ego anymore. “I don’t. Some of the others do.”
“Why do I doubt you’d admit it?” he asked. Katie dropped off the wine, and he took over, pouring the ruby colored liquid into two wineglasses. “Did you tell anyone else we met years ago?”
“No! Just Aspen. No one else needs to know.”
He lifted his glass. “A toast. To our official first date.”
They clinked glasses. He locked eyes with her as she took a sip. “Were you born with the magical fairy dust to charm women?” she asked curiously. “Or was it something you learned?”
Shadows gathered in his eyes. She was immediately sorry she asked the teasing question. Kane seemed to pick his words with care. “It was only my father and half-brother so I think I was always grateful to be in a woman’s orbit. I sought out their presence.”
Sierra craved to ask a dozen more questions, but didn’t want to push. Her voice gentled. “That makes sense. I’m guessing you’re not close to your dad?”
“No.” A shutter slammed down. “He wasn’t a good man.”
Her heart ached. So much emotion simmered behind the short answer. “And your brother?”
The light came back on in his eyes. “We were very close. Kind of us against the world, but some demons got him. He’s an alcoholic like my father.”
Her hand slid automatically across the table to entwine her fingers with his. “I’m sorry, Kane. That must’ve been hard on you both. Is he okay?”
“Yes. He got out of rehab, found a job he likes, and is making a new life for himself.”
“Good.”
He tightened his grip, brushing his thumb across her palm. Shivers raced down her spine. He continued. “I’m not used to talking about myself or my past. The first night we spent together? I felt as if I was already connected to you—like you saw a part of me I’d always hidden. I want more of that. As much as I want to strip you naked, dip my fingers inside, and watch you come all over my fingers, I also want us to be vulnerable to one another. Is that possible?”
Sierra blinked. God, had he just given her a visual that lit her insides on fire? Her nipples tingled. She fought to focus on the latter part of his question. “Umm, I think?”
His lower lip quirked. “You’d like that, huh?” Kane leaned in. His gaze hot. “I promise to do that and more when you’re ready. Just say the word.”
“Bathroom. Now.”
His jaw tightened, and a flare of shock lit his green eyes. Sierra couldn’t help the quick splutter of humor that escaped, making him shake his head in frustration. “Are you trying to kill me?” he complained, taking a long sip of wine. “I won’t be able to get out of this chair for a while.”
Sierra laughed. “I’m sorry—it popped out before I could stop myself. You were due for a little payback.”
He gave a slow, smug smile. “That’s okay, sweetheart. I have my own ways of payback.”
Thank God, Katie came over and dropped their plates on the table, saving her from answering.
They ate and conversation flowed easily. They finalized details for the engagement party which was coming up quickly. Sierra had to admit having Kane as her partner wasn’t what she’d thought. It had actually been fun to share ideas and she enjoyed his enthusiasm. The more he seeped into the day-to-day details of her life, the more she realized how much she liked it. And even with the gossip buzzing around them, Sierra was able to relax over the meal and enjoy his company.
“I’m meeting with a fabulous designer in Charleston next week,” she said, blotting her mouth with a napkin. “She makes these hand-beaded bags with a special insert for your phone and wallet. The patterns are gorgeous—they’re really unique.”
“I’m surprised she’s not selling them at the shops in Charleston? That’s a tourist city.”
