Page 33 of Housebroke

“Do I?”

“Hell yeah, you do. You work hard. You take care of dogs who otherwise wouldn’t have someone to look out for them. You got a raw deal from your ex, and you’ve been down and out for a while, right?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, then. You deserve to be pampered a little. So remind yourself that you’re worth it.”

“You have a point. But I’d rather be paying for all of this myself.”

“Someday, you will. Until then, allow me, at least tonight? And then we can go back to sandwiches for lunch and food cooked in the tiny stove in the guesthouse.”

She crooked a smile. “I don’t recall you complaining about the food I cook.”

“I wasn’t. The food you’ve made for me could rival anything the chefs prepare here.”

“I don’t know about that, but thanks for the compliment.”

“I believe I rave about your meals every time you serve them up.”

“You do.”

“Which doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a night out and having someone pamper you, does it?”

He had a point. “I guess not.”

“Okay, then. So admit you deserve this.”

Linc certainly had a way of winning an argument. Not that they were having one, but she appreciated that he realized what she’d been through.

And when the server brought the bottle of wine and poured her a glass, she took a sip and had to admit that there was a world of difference between box wine and this amazingly smooth pinot noir.

“Well, this is the best pinot I’ve ever had,” she said, rolling the deep red liquid around in the glass.

“It is pretty good,” Linc said. “I’m glad you like it.”

“Like it? I want to pour it all over myself.”

He arched a brow. “That’s an idea. Can I lick it off?”

And that was an idea that was now milling about in her very vivid imagination. “It’s definitely open for discussion.”

His lips curved, and her nipples tightened against her bra.

Oh, the things she wanted to do with this man. She studied him over the rim of her wineglass, noting the way his fingers curved over the stem of his glass, watching him as he took a drink of wine, the way his tongue licked over his lips, all the while imagining those same fingers curving around her neck as those amazing lips pressed to hers, his tongue sliding inside her mouth to tangle with hers.

And suddenly, the formerly cool atmosphere of the restaurant grew decidedly warmer. She was grateful the dress was cool against her body, though right now naked would be better. Then she could straddle Linc and act out all of her fantasies.

Ha. If only they were alone. Which they would be later.

Wow, this wine was really hitting the mark, wasn’t it? She had a nice buzz going and her inhibitions were loosening.

Who was she kidding? She had zero inhibitions where Linc was concerned. She wanted him.

“Thank you for bringing me here. And for shopping with me for the dress.”

“The dress is very nice. The woman who’s wearing it is better.”

He slanted a heated look at her that made all her parts swell with need and desire. She blew out a breath and this time took a sip of her water.

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