Page 13 of Wilde In His Arms

Stop it, Aria.

His brown eyes swept up her, from her strappy black heels, up her bare legs, over her fit-and-flare dress, to her face.“You look fantastic.”He leaned in and kissed her cheek.

Nick would have taken her in his arms and kissed her until she was panting and her panties were wet.

Not.Nick.Mark!

He took her hand and gently tugged her toward the door.“Shall we?”

She walked with him inside to the hostess stand, where Mark gave his name.The young woman led them to their table by a window and left them with their menus.

Mark’s eyes sparkled.“I’ve been excited about this since you said yes.”

“Me, too.”She picked up her menu.“My sister loves this place.I’ve been too busy to try it.”

Mark put his hand over hers on the table.“Well, I’m glad you took the time tonight.I had thought I’d never get the chance to take you out.”

Aria had hoped Nick would be the last guy she dated.

“Hi, I’m Heather.I’ll be taking care of you tonight.Can I get you something to drink?”

“Ladies first,” Mark insisted, looking at her.

“I’ll have a glass of the Moscato.”She nodded for Mark to go ahead.

“The Moscow mule, please.”

“Excellent.Are you ready to order, or do you need more time?”

Mark deferred to her.

“I’ll have the chicken and dumplings.”Comfort food sounded amazing right now.

Mark gave her an approving look.“I considered that myself, but finally decided on the meatloaf.”

“Both good choices,” Heather declared.“I’ll be back with your drinks shortly.”

Aria handed her menu to the waitress, then focused on Mark and getting to know him.“What do you like to do besides work?”

“I play online adventure games.”

“Really.That sounds fun.”She’d never played any kind of video game, but she always wondered what the hype was all about.

He looked a bit sheepish.“I love it.It’s fun and challenging.Makes you think and strategize.We should play sometime.”His goofy grin made her want to try.

“I’d like to, but I work most nights.”

“I’m sure we can find a day to play.”

Was she really throwing up obstacles already?

“What else?”she asked.

He grinned, like he really liked the next thing he was going to say.“I’ve recently started crockpot cooking.I love that you can dump a bunch of stuff in the pot in the morning and come home to a home-cooked meal.I make a really great pot roast.”

“My mother loves her crockpot, too.In fact, she makes chicken and dumplings in hers a few times every winter.”

“You’ll have to get me her recipe.I could make it for you.”That was two more dates he was hoping to have with her.Or maybe one if they did dinner and an online game.

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