Page 24 of Unspoken Obsession

"Canada? What did you do there?" He asks, sounding confused.

"I worked in a flower shop."

He rests his hands on the table, leaning forward when he speaks to me. He really is giving me his full attention.

I look into his bright, cool blue eyes. What is it about him that has me so captivated?

"That is a big change - the move from a quiet flower shop to Las Vegas. What made you do that?"

"Spreading my wings. Seeing the world." I shrug. "Flowers are big business here, lots of weddings."

"Mm." He smiles at me. His eyes speak to my heart.

Then he leans back and taps his fingers on the edge of his whiskey glass.

"Come join me for dinner at my penthouse - I'll cook for you."

"Was that an invitation or a demand?" I laugh, amused by his bold confidence. It wasn't a question at all. He glances at his phone again and his jaw muscles flex. I wait --trying to ignore the warning signs that this man is not what he seems. Should I be risking everything just to spend some time with him? What is it about him that makes me want to do that? His phone rings and he looks even more annoyed. "Please give me a second. I need to take this call."

Stepping away from the table and walking up and down a distance from me—I can still hear some of the conversation.

His voice is deep and carries far.

"Kill the bastards if you catch them." He snarls.

He hangs up.

He slides his phone back into his pocket and I watch as he adjusts his composure and the darkness lifts from his eyes. He smiles at me, walking back to the table like nothing happened.

"Sorry about that. Some issues at work." He sits down, "Well, I will not kidnap you and force you to eat my food if that is what you mean." He laughs, a warm sound that rumbles from his chest and causes my smile to stretch wider.

My heart is racing -- eating like drums in my head.

I should say no. Just like I should never have agreed to this dinner date.

The darkness that keeps shining deep in his eyes is a red flag I should pay attention to.

But my response is out of my lips before my logic has time to filter it.

"I would love to find out if you can cook or not."

"Great. Sunday night?"

"Sure." My heart flutters. I can't believe I am doing this.

DANTE

I've just dropped Frankie back off at La Muse Casino where she left her car. There's a stupid grin on my face that I can't seem to get rid of. This girl is doing something to me. She has awakened something deep inside me, and I do not want it to stop.

I admit, I took her to the furthest restaurant hoping no one would recognize me out there. And I've invited her to my penthouse for the same reason - to spend time with her without anyone giving away my true identity.

I'm not sure why I want to keep it hidden from her; usually, I flash who I am if I'm trying to impress a lady. I think it is because I know nothing about her - and the way she reminds me of the mysterious woman from years ago.

She's a card counter, a cheater and I know she is not a florist -- red flags waving in my face! They do nothing to deter me; I need to know who Frankie is.

I want to spend more time with her.

I pull away from La Muse thinking about her eyes, and how familiar they are.

---