Page 38 of King

I set out the food: a variety of cheeses, fresh baguettes, an assortment of cured meats, a colorful fruit salad, and a couple ofdecadent-looking chocolate tarts for dessert. I uncork the wine and pour us each a glass, handing one to Willa with a smile.

I raise my glass and look into her eyes. “To our first date. I think it’s going so well that I already know I want a second.”

Her smile widens, and she clinks her glass against mine. “If you asked, I don’t think I’d say no.”

We eat on the bench, the ice rink glowing warmly around us. The food is delicious, and the wine adds a pleasant warmth to the cool atmosphere.

Willa looks at me thoughtfully. “So, tell me about your first relationship. You said you only had the one?”

I nod, sipping my wine. “Her name’s Emily. We started dating in high school and stayed together through my time in the juniors and minors. Then she moved to Houston with me when I got called up to the Jam. We were serious—first love and all that. But the pressures of my professional career were hard on her, and we eventually broke up. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.”

Willa nods, her eyes understanding. “And you haven’t dated anyone since then?”

I shake my head. “I loved being in a committed relationship, but I’ve been focused on my career. No one has really interested me.”

“Until now,” she says, glancing down at the cracker in her hand.

“Until you,” I confirm.

Willa’s gaze slowly rises to meet mine. “My marriage to Scott was… not good. It ended horribly and as you know, I made a huge mistake in marrying him. It makes me—”

“Cautious?” I guess.

“It makes me different,” she says, and I cock my head in question. “Right now, I’m not interested in getting serious with anyone. My marriage was so suffocating, I felt like I was in a prison. Now that I’m free…” She looks down and shrugs. “I guessI just want to stay free.” Her eyes come up to meet mine. “I just want… casual.”

“But I’m a nice guy,” I point out because she’s trying to set some clear boundaries. “You’re safe with me.”

She smiles but it’s a little flat. “Yeah… Scott seemed like such a nice guy at first too.”

I wince but reach out and take her hand, squeezing it gently. “I get it. I really do. But you said yes to this date and I can tell you’re enjoying yourself. You’re going to say yes to a second date too. We’ll see where it goes.”

“I’m not averse to dating at all. Again, I like it casual.” I see the uncertainty on her face. “The age gap though… it worries me.”

I lean in, looking her straight in the eyes. “Willa, age is just a number. Are you worried because you’re thinking about what others might think or how it might look?”

“I guess,” she says, a slight shrug telling me she’s not sure the source of her angst.

“Well, I don’t care what anyone thinks. It’s no one’s business anyway.”

“Your friends are going to make fun of you,” she points out. “Dating a cougar.”

I laugh, leaning in and giving her a swift kiss on her mouth that makes her look a little starry-eyed. “No, they won’t. Rafferty and North figured it out somehow and they didn’t mention your age once. In fact, Rafferty wanted to ask you out and I shut that down quickly.”

“You’re kidding?”

“Not kidding.”

“Rafferty, huh?” she asks, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I mean… he is handsome. Is he older than you? Closer to my age?”

Her teasing is exactly what’s needed, because it means she’s not overly uptight about this issue. I kiss her again, mostly towipe Rafferty’s name off her lips. She sighs into me, and my hand goes to the side of her neck to hold her in place as I explore her mouth.

When I pull back, she blinks at me dreamily. “I bet he doesn’t kiss like you.”

Laughing, I press my lips back to hers. “I have no idea and I’m not about to find out. But let’s do this again, and we can keep it casual if that’s what you want.”

I can see the hesitation and dare I say fear, but it’s short-lived and I’m rewarded with a blinding smile. “Then it’s a definite yes for a second date.”

CHAPTER 10

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