Page 37 of As You Crave It

He chuckled. “I’ll try to remember that. But it’ll be worth it when you see this place.”

They turned the corner and she saw a long lineup of people waiting outside a small door that was lit with a single bulb. “Is this it?”

“Yup,” Quin told her, taking her hand and walking past the lineup. He spoke to the doorman, who didn’t even need to check his tablet, and they embraced before he moved aside to let them in.

Arlo’s turned out to be a twelve-table cellar with a bar along one wall, dim lighting, low music and a lively atmosphere.

Servers walked quickly around, placing plates on tables, juggling drinks. Everyone was happy, laughing, smiling. The hostess met them and led them to a table in the far corner.

“Busy place,” Celia noted as she sat, and Quin pushed in her chair.

“Yeah, we’ve been coming here since it opened. But the place really took off when Reid’s girlfriend, Lila—she’s a travel blogger—wrote about them on her website. There’s been a waiting list since then.”

“But you managed to get a table with no problem.”

“I told you,” he said with a grin. “He’s a family friend.”

“It’s nice to have connections.” She remembered that they were there for a reason. If she approached it like an instructor would, she might just survive. “This place is lovely. It’s very romantic. Do you normally bring women here?”

“Like as a date?”

“Yeah.”

He shook his head. “I’ve never brought a woman here.”

“Why not?”

“I’m clueless about romance, remember. That’s why you’re here. I literally haven’t been on an actual date in years.”

She shook her head and laughed. “You really are hopeless.”

“That’s why I need you to show me the way.”

“Well, this place is definitely romantic. The mood lighting, the small tables that allow for intimate contact.” Without reaching too far, she was able to touch his hand. “We’re close enough we can hear each other speak, but because of the noise everywhere, it’s still so private. We can say whatever we want.” Her knee bumped against his. They were so close that she could lean in a little and kiss him without too much trouble. And she did. “Coupled with the fact you were able to walk in and get a table—not something just anyone could do—this place is definitely a panty-dropper.”

His gaze heated, his dark brown eyes boring deeply within her. “Is it?”

She broke their eye contact and reached for her water glass. The cool liquid sated her parched throat. But it did nothing to lower her body temperature or quench her thirst for the man sitting across from her. She could already feel herself slipping under his control again. She realized that, try as she might, fight as hard against her own body as she could, she was losing. She craved him. She remembered the way Quin touched her, kissed her, made her feel, and she realized that losing could be just as good as winning.

“Is that my first lesson?” he asked, reminding her that she was there for a purpose. “Or are you just showing off what you’ve learned about assertiveness?”

Before she could answer, a man called across the restaurant, his voice booming over the din. “Quin!” She looked up and saw a middle-aged Cuban man walk quickly toward their table.

Quin’s smile was broad, and he stood. She thought he might extend his hand, but instead Quin wrapped his arms around the man.

“How are you? I had no idea you would be coming in tonight.” The man looked down and saw Celia. “And who is this gorgeous lady?”

“Celia, this is Arlo, a dear friend of ours. Arlo, this is Celia. A friend.”

Arlo reached out and took her hand, kissing her fingers in a move she didn’t know existed outside of old movies. “Oh, Quin, I didn’t know you had any friends, especially one as beautiful as her.”

“Thank you,” she told him.

He turned back to Quin, still holding her fingers. “You’ve never brought anyone here before.” His tone was almost accusatory, and Celia giggled as Quin was put on the spot.

Quin looked sheepish, but Arlo carried on. “It’s nice to see all of the Rexfords here tonight.”

Quin looked around the restaurant, and Celia followed his gaze as it landed on a table on the other side of the room—it was larger than the small two-top where they’d been seated, and she recognized its occupants as Quin’s brother, Reid, and his sister, Gemma.

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