Anything was possible. They followed the maitre’d as he asked, “Who wouldn’t wait for you?”
Most every man, ever. Ashley wasn’t exactly the face that launched a thousand ship’s type. She was just… her. “But you can have anyone, Matt.”
They stopped at a table overlooking the blue waters of the pool and he waited as she sat but said, “Everywoman I ever dated all moved on and married others.”
The maitre’d scooted her in and then left. Matt took a seat and she picked up her glass of water as she laughed in the glass. “So you’re saying I get to meet my soul mate next?”
His blue hues had depths she couldn’t quite understand. Just one glance made her breathless. “Do you believe in soul mates, Ashley?”
Flying threethousand miles to tell a guy she cared probably put her in the crazy category. It was best if she didn’t hype that fact up. She swallowed the cool water and put the glass down. “I think I do. I believe in love.”
He scooted closer and brushed her arm on the table as he said, “You’re disarming, Ashley.”
Her eyelashes fluttered closed as her lips pouted.
He kissed her and itwas like her entire body was full of butterflies that took flight together. This was magic, proof that it existed.
As the kiss ended, she sighed and said, “Wow.”
His low chuckle made her want to make the dream a reality.
Chapter 8
Matt’s impulse to kiss Ashley, stunning in her figure-hugging blue dress, had been amplified the entire motorcycle drive from his house to the hotel.
Maybe he should have taken the Bentley but he’d hoped the wind against his body would help knock some sense into him. Her constant touch just made his desire burn.
He’d hoped the walk through the air-conditionedrestaurant near the pool would cool him down, but that hadn’t worked either. He’d realized that sitting across from the prettiest woman he’d ever met, each with drinks in their hands they’d halfway finished, would not help at all.
And now that they had kissed? He wanted more.
He inched his chair back and the legs squeaked. “Are you ready for dinner?”
She sighed, peered atthe blue pool, and then met his gaze. Her brown eyes were hypnotic as she said, “It’s so pretty here. Is there a reason we’re leaving to go somewhere else?”
If she asked liked that, he’d never, ever, ever say no to her. Attraction flared but he put his glass down and shrugged. “There will be more people at Spago’s.”
She leaned back in her black chair and slowly perused the poolsiderestaurant, with the view of the hills from their table, then rubbed the side of her arms. “You’re the expert. I just think it’s lovely here.”
And if he dragged her away right now, he’d ruin her happiness, which was something he didn’t want to do. For his plan to work, they’d be seen just fine here.
His agent had texted something though Matt hadn’t read the message yet. He had hisphone on “ignore” but nodded at Ashley as he said, “We can stay if you like.”
“I think I would.” A soft smile grew on her face.
He motioned to the waiter and ordered the dinner menus.
If everyone was that easy to make happy, he’d have had an easier time as a child.
Not that the past mattered. It didn’t. Especially when he was so hot near Ashley. It was her, not theLA heat. He gulped some water to wet his throat. “I want to make you happy.”
Her mouth quirked and he stared at her bottom lip a bit too long because desire shot through him like smooth silver tequila. “Why? I thought you wanted me to be your employee.”
Employee. Focus Matt. He’d asked Ashley to work for him, not to be his real girlfriend. He reached across the table and took herhand. “Can I be honest, Ashley?”
She licked her lips and his mouth watered at the sight when she said, “I’d like that.”
No holding back. Impulses are not evil,he said to himself like he was arguing with something his father had said to him concerning money, but he’d meant it as a life lesson. Matt squeezed Ashley’s hand. “I haven’t been attracted to a woman in a long time.”
