“We make our meatballs with lamb, beef, and pork and the pasta from scratch. It’s one of our best dishes,” he promises me. “I’ll put in an order, and we can talk about our first date when I get back.”
A date. As I think about it, I wonder what the hell I am doing. The last time I cared about someone, I became trapped in my worst nightmare. Did I really want to go through that again? Hell, no. The other part of me aches, wanting to trust someone again. Anyone. It’s lonely when you don’t trust anyone. And I don’t have to love him or marry him. Just date him. Easy peas-y, right? Fun. Dating. Nothing serious.
Settled in my mind, I watch as he comes back. The man walks like he is prowling through a jungle. A sensual predator that makes me feel like prey until I look into his eyes. Warmth and laughter light up his green eyes.
“Your dinner will be out soon.” Leaning over the bar, he searches my eyes for a second, as if he can see the conflict raging inside me. “How about dinner for our first date? Friday, seven p.m.?”
“That sounds good, but I thought we were going to a winery?” I murmur, now confused, as I thought I’d already accepted our first date.
“It’s far enough away that we would need to spend the night. And I don’t think we’re ready for that yet, do you?”
Yet? He’s already planning on spending the night?
“Nope, not ready for that yet,” I agree. I can’t believe I just used the word “yet,” too. By the smile on his face, he definitely caught what I just said. “I think you should know, I haven’t been on a date in a while.”
“Don’t worry. I have been told I’m a fabulous date. I’ve got you covered.” He winks.
What a flirt! “Ha, Hank was right. You are a playboy,” I tease him.
“My playboy ways are far behind me.” He looks at me seriously, then turns as a waiter comes up behind him with my dinner. “Just in time. Here you go, the best spaghetti and meatballs you will ever eat.”
“You think a lot of your chef,” I remark, taking a bite. OMG, I moan and lick my lips. “And you would be right. Your chef is spectacular. I should date him. Or at least give him a big kiss. Any man who can cook food this good knows the way to my heart.”
He stares at my mouth for a few seconds. “Would you like to give me a kiss now, or later?”
“What?”I didn’t hear him ask for a kiss, did I?I take another bite.Damn, this is good.
“I’m the chef. I didn’t cook it tonight, but it is my recipe. So, although we’re already going on a date, I’ll gladly take a kiss tonight for dinner.” His eyes move to my lips as I lick them clean.
I stare at him for a second. “Why are we going to a restaurant for our date if you can cook this good?”
He looks down for a second before leaning over the bar to murmur, “Honestly? I’m not sure I could keep my hands off you if we were alone in your apartment or my house. Dinner out will let us get to know each other better and help you feel more relaxed.”
Looking into his green eyes, I think about it for a second. He’s right. I’m intensely attracted to this man, but I’m not ready to take it to the next level. Reining in my thoughts, I look at him and agree.
“You’re right. Our first date should be out in public. If the first date goes well, we’ll see where the second date happens,” I tease him.
His eyes darken, as if he is thinking of the possibilities, then someone calls out his name. Lev goes to deal with an issue in the kitchen, so I finish the meal. Groaning, I hold my stomach for a second. I definitely ate too much, but damn, that was worth it. As he comes back, I ask him for the bill.
“It’s on the house.”
“No, please don’t. This isn’t a date. I’d like to pay for my own meal,” I explain.
He studies the look of determination on my face and realizes this is important to me. Going over to the register, he prints out a bill and sets it down.
“Thank you,” I say quietly as I give him my card.
He charges my card, hands it back to me, and I sign it. Grabbing his hand, I crook my finger at him, asking him to get closer. He leans over the bar, and I give him a soft kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you for dinner,” I tell him huskily. “The meal was delicious. I can’t wait for our date.” I get up and walk out the door.
