“I haven’t noticed or seen another woman since you walked into this restaurant, nor do I want to. I’ve got all I want sitting right across from me.”
I ignore the ping to my heart with those words because that’s all they are…words. Words that mean nothing except to be used to get what you want. I decide to change the subject and get on a safer topic.
“I brought the finalized wine list with me if you want to go over the order and see if you want to make any changes.”
“Back to business,” he smiles. “Do you ever just have fun?”
“My business is fun. I love what I do,” I frown. I can have fun. That’s why I’m here because I want to have fun.
“And I love that you love what you do, but sometimes you just got to let your hair down and throw all responsibilities out the window for the night.”
Which is something I can never do because I have a huge responsibility every single day of my life…except for tonight. When Miss Beth heard I was having dinner with a friend who isn’t a female, she immediately started making plans for Bee to sleep over at her house. I kept insisting that it wasn’t necessary, but I finally agreed just to appease her.
“Fine. No work tonight.”
“That’s my girl,” he grins. I ignore the second ping to my heart, those words just caused, and clink my glass to his raised one.
“So, how long have you lived in Blue Haven?” The appetizers arrive, and we place our dinner order before starting in on the food before us.
“God, it’s beautiful here. You can see for miles.” I watch the warm colors of the sunset play on the water.
“It is beautiful,” he agrees, keeping his gaze on me. “But you’re not changing the subject,” he smiles and takes a bite of a lobster roll.
“I’ve been here for almost two months.” I moan when the lobster roll melts in my mouth. His eyes darken as he watches me savor the taste. “This is amazing.” I take another bite and lick the buttery sauce from my lips. “You’re not eating,” I say when I notice he hasn’t touched his food.
“I find you much more appetizing. Did you know you make orgasmic sounds when you eat?”
“I do not make orgasmic sounds,” I giggle.
“Yes, you do. Well, not truly orgasmic sounds becauseyou’re not screaming my name, but it’s definitely foreplay sounds.”
“I guess when I have something in my mouth that I love, I can’t help myself,” I bite back my grin as his lips twitch. He’s not the only one who can have witty comebacks.
“I’m going to see to it that it’s put to the test.” He takes a sip of his bourbon, and I see the challenge in his eyes.
Our food arrives, and he’s right. I do make sounds when I eat. The steak and shrimp that I ordered are to die for. He watches me with wonderment as we enjoy our dinner. Taking another sip of wine, I get the courage to ask him what I’ve been thinking about.
“So, I have a proposition of sorts to ask you.” I fidget with the stem of my wine glass before meeting the curiosity in his eyes.
“A proposition of sorts?” He arches his pierced brow. “Okay. Lay it on me.” He leans back and takes a sip of the amber liquid.
“There’s obviously this sexual attraction between us, and no matter how hard I try, it’s not going away.”
“There is,” he says, amusement and surprise flashing in those greys. “And no, it’s not going away, so what do you propose we should do about it?”
“I think we need one night to get it out of our systems. No commitment, no strings attached…just letting us have what we both want for the night, and then we can go back to being normal, business friends.”
“You want me to be your one-night stand?” He looks surprised and a bit…offended.
“I mean, yeah, I guess that’s what it would be. I’m sure you’ve done them before and know how it works.”
“I know how a one-night stand works,” he mutters. “Haveyoudone them before?”
“No. This would be my first,” I say quietly. Besides my high school boyfriend, I’ve only been with Mark. After he walked away, I was busy being a single mom. The only excitement I get now is from the romance books I read and a pink vibrator I keep by my bed.
“Why just one night?”
His question surprises me. I didn’t think it would be this hard to talk him into it. In my head, we would already be walking out the door, eager to please each other. This is every man’s dream to have a girl willing to walk away the next morning with no questions asked.
