Page 12 of Lahaina Noon

“Bridget.” he rumbled, the sound coming from deep in his chest. “Do you have any idea of how amazing and delicious you look tonight? You are stunning. And those shoes, well, I’m glad you never wore those to the office, or I wouldn’t have been able to get any work done. I had a hard enough time keeping my hands to myself when you were around.”

She swallowed heavily, her desire for him building even higher. She crossed her legs tightly to contain the throbbing feeling there.

He smiled and continued, “As for the rest, for the record, I think your puns are wonderful and an example of what a sharp wit you have. I think that about covers it. Unless you want me to answer whether or not you were still talking?” He finished with a smolder on his face that threatened to light her on fire.

Bridget was overwhelmed, unsure of what to say. He really thought that? He was as attracted to her as she was to him. She didn’t know how to feel, but she knew she wanted him badly. Things with Brian weren’t drastically romantic, although they were very passionate. High school sweethearts, he was comfortable, just a gentle falling in love with each other and knowing they were a great team. Even after all these years, thinking of him brought a sad smile to her face. He had been so kind and sweet. A little goofy like her, he loved their son, their life, and their home. The accident that had taken him from their lives was something she’d never forget.

“And now I’ve made you sad somehow,” Vaughn murmured gently.

Bridget looked up into the eyes of this man who could burn her alive and smiled, shaking her head, “No. Not sad, just remembering.”

He looked deep into her eyes and said softly, “The first worst day of your life?”

She nodded, wondering how he knew.

He seemed to understand because he offered, “Jack shared some of the details with me one night. Your husband sounded like an amazing man and a fantastic father. I’m sorry for your loss, Bridget; please know I’m not trying to take away from that. But I understand it has been awhile now, and you are not a woman who should remain unappreciated. I’ve been intrigued by you from the day we met. I hope you’ll let me try.” He smiled gently at her.

Warmth flooded her body at his kind words. She nodded and cleared her throat. “So, what’s good here?”

Chapter 8

The meal was absolutelydelicious, each bite as amazing as the first. She wondered if she should be embarrassed by how much she ate, but Vaughn had encouraged her, and she didn’t know when she would get to enjoy something like this again. She lifted her glass and pointed it at him, “You were right about this Malbec! I’m not sure where this has been all of my life, but I do believe in number eighty-seven now.”

He chuckled, lifted his glass, “To number eighty-seven!” and tapped it to hers. He leaned back from his empty plate. “I’m glad to see you actually eat real food and don’t just pick at a salad while staring at my steak.” He smirked at some of the women at the next table over doing just that.

Bridget looked at the remains of her salmon and back at him, grinning about the way she devoured it. The server glided up then and swept away their plates, handing her a dessert menu.

“Oh no, I couldn’t possibly eat another thing.” she protested.

Vaughn took the menu from her and pointed at something, asking for two forks.

Bridget tried to protest, but it was feeble. She was sure whatever it was, it would be divine, and somehow, some way, she was going to find room for it in her stomach. “So, Vaughn,” she started, “About the shadows.”

“Shh,” he cautioned, “Not here. I want to talk to you about them, but this is not the place. They are closer now, and I don’t want to risk being overheard.”

She sat back, puzzled about what he meant by ‘they are closer’. They who? The shadows? The men in black?Oh crap, she thought,have I been taken in by a Don Juan? Is he crazy? Like when Johnny Depp got all piratey and guy-linery.She looked closely at Vaughn to see if she could spot any crazy or any makeup.

He looked at her quizzically. “Do I have something on my face?” he asked.

“Guy-Liner,” she replied. He looked stunned, so she laughed and said “I was looking to see if you are wearing eyeliner. You have the most beautiful eyes; I was wondering if you are just naturally that hot.”

His eyes widened, and he grinned. “Oh, you think I’m hot, do you? I’m happy to hear that. What is it you and Jorrie call me? Mr. Hotness? I must say that was an inventive name. It was a new one for me.”

She was going to die. Again. Just absolutely croak right here on the spot. She could see the headlines now. ‘Local Woman Dies Instantly in Restaurant of Extreme Embarrassment.’ “Jack cannot be trusted!” she said, trying to brave her way through it.Jack will die. A slow, painful death by a thousand cuts from a rusty tin can lid. Or I’ll sick Jorrie on him.She smiled sweetly at Vaughn.

He smirked at her, knowing she was dying inside. “You are adorable when you blush like that. And you’re right. Jack cannot be trusted with tequila.”

Just then, a plate of what looked like an absolute masterpiece of chocolate appeared between them.

Saved by the dessert bell, Bridget thought before sizing up the decadence in front of her, deciding where to attack first.

Vaughn picked up his fork, scooped up some chocolate and held it out to her.

Oh, he wanted to play that game? She was all for it. She leaned in, placed her lips around the bite and closed her eyes in delight. “Mm,” she moaned, “That is better than sex.” She was almost purring. She heard a growling sound coming from Vaughn’s direction and opened her eyes to see him staring at her like he wanted to lick her entire body from head to toe. She could swear she saw smoke coming from his nostrils, and she could smell something faintly like a campfire. What was going on here?

Vaughn leaned back and waved their server over. “We’re going to need this to go and please run this.” handing her his credit card without taking his eyes off Bridget. After she walked away, Vaughn traced a finger across Bridget’s bottom lip. “You are playing with fire, little one. That’s a dangerous thing to do.”

Bridget swallowed heavily and became aware of parts of her body tingling in a way they hadn’t in a long time. Here she was, trying to decide if she was crazy or not, seeing moving shadows, imagining a man had fire in his eyes, breathing smoke without a cigarette, and all she could think about was dragging him across the table and getting nakedwith him here and now. She kept her gaze locked on his, figuring if she was going to burn, at least he wanted to burn with her.

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