Page 19 of Flame Kissed

Her smile returned and was dazzling. “That’s great to hear!”

Adaze couldn’t decide what was more disarming—Leilani’s smile and sunshine personality or her beautifully muscled arms and very present breasts. Adaze found her gaze drifting from Leilani’s lovely open face to her very sexual body and then back. Everything about Leilani drew her in in a way she certainly hadn’t been expecting.

They pulled to a stop in front of a trendy Indian restaurant. It had a small shop front in a strip of similar trendy shops and restaurants. They were made of a pale red-pink brick with big glass windows giving a glimpse to the hidden interiors.

“Here we are,” Leilani said.

The pair climbed out of the car and walked across the cobblestone sidewalk. Inside, the floors were a dark gray stone. There were tile designs inlaid on the walls in deep reds and blues. Lattice style screens sectioned parts of the restaurant off to give patrons more privacy at the dark wood tables and booths. Colorful lanterns hung from the ceiling casting everything in a warm glow.

A server came over to great them almost instantly. “Welcome ladies. Just the two of you tonight.”

“That’s right,” Leilani grinned.

“Would you prefer a booth or table?”

She looked to Adaze. “Which do you like better?”

“Huh, oh, either is fine. It doesn’t matter to me,” she said, surprised by the question.

“Booth then?”

“Absolutely, right this way.”

They were led over to a booth screened in on three sides. It was cozy, private, and far more intimate than Adaze had expected.

They were handed menus. “Someone will be over shortly to take your orders, but can I grab you anything to drink?”

“Could I get a mango lassi?” Leilani asked.

“And I’ll have a masala tea.”

“Your waiter will be right over with those.”

“This place is nice,” Adaze said, looking over the menu. “Have you been here before?”

“No, but I’ve wanted to. I just didn’t have a good enough reason to check it out.”

“And now you do?”

Leilani smiled. “I’d say you’re a pretty good reason.”

A moment later their drinks arrived.

“Do the two of you know what you want or do you need a few more minutes?”

“I think we’re ready.”

Adaze ordered the shrimp curry and Leilani got the butter chicken. Not long after, their food arrived. It was even better than Adaze had expected, melting in her mouth.

“So how long have you been in Phoenix Ridge?” Leilani asked her.

“I moved here right out of college. Got my first job as a financial advisor and built a home here. Seemed as good of a place as any. Since then, I travel a lot for business, but I always like to come home. I love the draw of the ocean. What about you?”

“Not long. Only a year or two.”

“You said you moved here from Hawaii, right?”

She beamed. “You remembered!”