Page 9 of Arouse Me

When dinner was done, Scotty approached the table with four small glasses of bright yellow liquor. Bestowing a bold and scandalous wink, he set one of the cordials down in front of me.

“Limoncello, in honor of your first—but hopefully not last—visit to Maurizio’s.”

I flashed him a coy smile. “Thank you. I’m flattered.” As I lifted the glass to my lips, I noticed the phone number scrawled on the napkin he’d set beneath my drink.

“You’re quite welcome,” he smiled before bending close to my ear. “I get off work at two. If you’re still awake, give me a call.” Tapping his finger on the napkin, he flashed a wolfish grin.

“I might have to start drinking coffee,” I countered in a sultry whisper.

“I hope you do.” His reply sounded low and hungry.

Gazing at me for several long seconds, Scotty jerked his head, as if remembering we weren’t alone. Embarrassment fluttered over his features before Scotty darted a glance around the table then cleared his throat.

“How about some dessert? We’ve got New York Cheesecake. Maybe some Crème brûlée, or a piece of our decadent chocolate mousse cake?”

I didn’t miss the knowing smirk Dylan and Nick shared between themselves before the two declined dessert.

“Thanks, but I’m stuffed,” I replied with a shake of my head.

“I’d love some,” Savannah replied, grinning at me like a schoolgirl. “Cheesecake, please.”

“You got it. I’ll be right back.” He nodded then turned and swaggered toward the kitchen. I couldn’t help but stare at his tight ass or the way his well-worn jeans hugged him so perfectly.

“For crying out loud, Mel, you haven’t been in town twenty-four hours, and already you’re setting hearts on fire,” Savannah teased.

“Trust me. It’s not his heart that’s on fire, unless it’s slipped down between his legs. The only thing I’ll be doing at two in the morning is snoring and drooling.”

“That’s an attractive picture,” she snorted.

Scotty pushed past the swinging stainless steel doors carrying a thick slice of cheesecake. As he made his way to our table, I watched, appreciating the way the muscles on his arms rippled and bulged. No doubt the man spent hours at the gym honing his sculpted body. Savannah turned to see what I was staring at, then let out a smothered chuckle.

“Bet you five bucks you end up setting your alarm,” she teased.

“Nah. He’s a hottie, all right. But all I want tonight is sleep. Tomorrow? Well, who knows? I might need to come back here for lunch,” I whispered as he drew close and placed a mountainous wedge of cheesecake in front of Savannah.

Chapter Two

Bright and early the next morning, Savannah bolted into my room and pounced on the bed.

“What the hell are you doing?” I groaned, trying to shake the sleep fog from my brain.

“Get up, lazy bones. We’re going shopping!” she exclaimed with a wicked gleam in her eyes.

“Shopping for what?” I mumbled, rubbing mine.

“Nasty things, for Leagh’s bachelorette party.”

“I’m wide awake now. When’s that happening, the party I mean?”

“Friday night at Maurizio’s. We’ve reserved the back banquet room. No Doms allowed. It’s gonna be subbies gone wild!” She waggled her eyebrows. “And Scotty’s going to be our private bartender,” she taunted in a singsong tone.

“So? What are you trying to do, play matchmaker now that you found love?” I teased.

“No, I’m not. But honestly, a blind man could see he wants you. He was practically drooling all over you,” she giggled.

“Yeah, well, they all drool from time to time. Don’t get me wrong. He’d be fun for a night or two, but that’s it.” I shook my head.

“How do you know?” she countered.

---