Page 25 of Seductive Heat

"No one wants to admit they're thirty-eight, trust me. I might have put down a lower number."

"Is it difficult working with special needs children?" Brandy asks.

"I'd say the word is challenging more than difficult. You need to love it with all your heart."

"Do you?" Anne asks.

I'm saved once again, this time by Max, saying the food is ready. We all go to the table and make up our plates. There's everything from burgers to hot dogs to steak. I fix myself up a burger and a hot dog and go back to my seat. Theo is next to me with a big piece of meat, and I smile at him. He's adventurous, all right.

While we're digging into our food, I study everyone carefully. They seem like nice people. The women are protective of Theo, and I understand their motivation. Theo has opened himself to me from the moment we met and he just keeps on giving me everything. I know he's not perfect, but he's close.

"How's your steak?" I ask him.

"Juicy. Max knows exactly how long to leave it on."

"Your friends care about you. I don't think they're done interrogating me."

"They'll be on their best behavior from now on. I promise."

"I can handle myself," I say defensively.

"I know that, but you shouldn't have to. Did I tell you how wonderful you look in that dress? That your legs go for miles?"

"I'm listening."

He comes closer to me, his mouth an inch from my ear.

"When we get home, I'm going to bend you over the couch, lift that naughty dress, bunch it at your waist, and take you from behind."

My arms burst out in goosebumps and I know my face is flaming red.

"Interesting." Is all I manage to say.

"You knew exactly what you were doing when you put on that dress, you minx."

His hands are busy right now with his food, but I know one of his hands will soon be on my knee as if he's marking his territory. I relax back in my chair and eat my food happily.

"How long have you known Max and Erik?"

"Since college. It took us a while to find out which business was best for us, but once we did, we put all our energy and resources into making it succeed. In a few months, we'll be celebrating our ten-year anniversary, hopefully with the opening of a new branch."

"Is that why you needed a mail-order bride agency? You're too busy to date?"

"Yes and no. If you must know, I'm rather shy and prefer to stay with my spreadsheets than go out to a club to dance."

"But you're a wonderful dancer, and you own a club. And you've never been shy with me."

"That's because I feel like I know you already."

Everyone gathers around us, and I start getting nervous.

"So, spill it,” Anne says. “What are your intentions with our Theo?"

"Hey, he's the one that's been stalking me. I'm an innocent bystander." I protest.

They all look at Theo with surprise. He makes a face, telling me that his friends did not know about his extracurricular activities.

"She wasn't returning my messages. I'm a take-charge kind of guy."

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