“I’d love to see the pictures sometime.” she said while she didn’t look at him, but then she turned toward him. “So where are we off to?”
Her blue eyes dazzled. He swerved his SUV, but it had happened so quickly he hoped she hadn’t noticed. This time he kept his gaze on the road. “Last night we had French cuisine, so I figured we’d start with Italian at Il Gabbiano. From there I wanted to show you the Dover building you’ve been working so hard on.”
They pulled into a parking lot, where he headed right for the valet. Natalie tilted her head in confusion. “It’s under construction.”
The valet put a ticket on the dashboard. Galen walked around and opened Natalie’s door for her. The second their hands touched, a jolt rushed through him. “There is something special about it.”
She kept his hand while he led her inside. “Okay, sounds interesting. I’ve never visited the worksite.”
The waitress brought them to a table near the ocean and handed them their menus. They waited until she left, and he perused the wine list. Natalie settled in her seat. He asked, “Do you want wine?”
“Yes please. You ordered well the last time so you clearly have good taste.”
His lips thinned—his brother wouldn’t approve, but then Natalie wasn’t his to command. He settled on another white and ordered a Verdicchio.
Natalie adjusted her napkin and the waitress returned with the bottle, pouring them both a glass. She left and Natalie asked, “So Galen, did you really ask me out the first time because I fooled you with my wig?”
He almost choked on the wine as he imagined himself taking that wig off her head and stripping her of her layers of clothes. He laughed. “Possibly. No one usually gets to me, but you were the exception.”
She smiled at him and he was mesmerized—nobody could be so genuine. She scooted closer and placed her hand on his, igniting a spark inside him. “And today? Why the second date?”
The waitress returned, and he ordered the grilled chicken and she chose a chicken and broccoli dish. Once the waitress left, he leaned closer and smelled her floral perfume that he’d remembered from her interview. “Are you fishing for me to say I’m interested in you?”
Now that wasn’t his smoothest question ever. He was usually much better at flirting.
She sipped her wine and stared at him. “Yes.” She shifted and narrowed her gaze. His heartbeat sped up. “Honestly, I just don’t understand how you aren’t married again. You’re a good, stand-up guy and rich.” He didn’t move but she tapped her finger on the table like she saw through him. “Maybe it’s that you don’t trust people.”
Alison had been enough of a hassle for him to never want another wedding, right? His memory grew fuzzy regarding the reasons he avoided commitment. “I have a healthy fear of relationships.”
She sipped her wine. “I see. So you and I arenota date then.”
No. Natalie was different. His heart raced. He’d keep her close for now. “Or you’re the first date in a long time that I’m taking a chance on.”
She covered her heart and blushed. “Then I’m flattered.”
Goosebumps rose on his arm. The waitress brought them their food and departed, but he couldn’t eat a bite. “I’m nervous.”
She brushed his wrist and his skin had a jolt that rushed through him. “You’re nervous? Why?”
They were in public and he wanted to be alone. He said softly, “Because all I’ve wanted to do for the past twenty-four hours is take off all your layers and make you mine. I’ve not felt this intensely about any woman before.”
Her lips parted, and she swallowed her wine while she lowered her lashes. “I’m interested—how could I not be? But partly afraid of what happens after…”
His entire body tightened. Having Natalie was all he needed. He kept his touch against her light despite his caveman urge to grab her and make her his, right now. “What are you afraid of?”
She adjusted her necklace and then tucked it under her collar. “My job. It was hard to get a good position that I was qualified for. Miami isn’t exactly New York, where jobs are much more plentiful. I don’t want to work at a hotel for minimum wage.” Natalie pushed her plate aside. “Shall we go? I’m not that hungry.”
“Agreed.” He left enough cash to pay for the bill without seeing it. He then held her waist as they walked out the door and he could feel her skin pressed against his, even through her clothes. He handed the valet his ticket and led Natalie to a corner, away from people. “We can sign a contract if you want that you’re guaranteed your job for five years or the compensation, no matter what happens.”
The lights of his SUV came toward them. She ran her hands down his chest and gazed at him. “You just throw money into all situations.”
He stepped back and opened the passenger door for her. “It usually works.”
She climbed in. He tipped the valet and took the driver’s seat. Once he closed the door, she turned toward him. “I’d rather you just swear that you’ll respect me in the morning.”
He traced her thigh, and then drove off so no one could see them. “It’s possible I’ll want more than you can give.”
She didn’t pull away. She scooted closer and kissed his cheek. “Let’s take this one step at a time. Shall we go…”
