Page 27 of No Man Left Behind

“Lucky group.”

Her eyes widened as she caught his implication, and then she laughed.

Jim arrived at that moment with a bottle of wine and filled up their glasses. “I’ll bring out your salads in just a moment. Enjoy.”

Because it was a new enterprise for the men, they’d decided on only one choice for the menu each night they opened. Tonight was a vegetable lasagna with Caesar salad and fresh bread.

Over the meal, they talked more about the mascots, but he didn’t pull out his phone to check them out. He wasn’t wasting his time with Elina on a phone.

“How is the paperwork for the funding going? Any problems with it?”

He shrugged. “No problems, but a full mountain of paper. So many forms that want all the same information in a different way. Paperwork is the worst part of this job, even though most of that is online and not on actual paper.”

They chatted easily over the delicious meal. He found out she’d listened to different styles of music as she’d driven across the country. “I never had much chance to listen to the radio when I was young. Most of the music I experienced was live and not in English. It’s fascinating to hear the different styles.”

“What are your favorites so far?”

Another of those laughs that was pure joy. “All of them. They’re all so different and compelling. Jazz is full of rhythm and emotion. Country bumps that up with beats that echo music I heard in Africa. Pop lifts my spirits. Rock is pure fun. And while I can’t understand most of the words in the rap songs I’ve heard, I love it. Reminds me of so many cultures. Powerful story-telling with a beat.”

Marcus laughed. “I don’t know if I’ve ever heard of anyone with quite such eclectic tastes.”

She waggled her eyebrows and made him laugh again. He loved that she flirted so comfortably and easily with him. Whatever had happened to her overseas, it hadn’t stolen this from her.

Jim arrived with two plates holding cheesecake. “Sea salt caramel cheesecake with chocolate shavings. Carl was experimenting today, and it’s delicious. Enjoy.”

Elina’s eyes lit up as she picked up her fork. “I might explode if I finish this but I suspect it’s going to be worth it.”

Marcus watched her taste the dessert. Her entire body softened with the first bite. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she slowly eased the fork between her lips. She moaned softly, and his body tightened instantly.

His imagination put her in his bed with that look on her face and those sound coming from her throat.

This date wouldn’t end that way, but he hoped another would soon. Very soon.

When Elina couldn’t eat another bite, she pushed her plate to the middle of the table. “All yours, if you have room.”

Marcus smiled and reached with a fork to snag a bite. “Always room for one of Carl’s creations.”

His lips closed around the fork, but his eyes remained locked on hers, sending her imagination to what else he could do with that mouth.

Was she ready to jump into bed with Marcus? He was an incredible man. The chemistry between them was explosive. She knew sex with him would be amazing. Mind-blowing.

But she also knew her heart would be lost to him. If it wasn’t already.

She hadn’t committed to staying in Phail yet. Sleeping with Arrow—Marcus—would require that. She wasn’t the type to have a quick affair and move on. Her heart wasn’t made that way. It would be easier if it was.

Marcus touched her hand where it rested on the tabletop, making her jump and pull her mind back to the present. His serious eyes watched hers, and she wondered how much he saw.

Confirming her thoughts, he rubbed his fingers lightly over her hand. “There’s no need to worry. We’re not rushing into anything. I won’t ever push you. We’re getting to know each other. Which is a little weird, seeing as we’ve kind of known each other for years.”

That made her smile. “But we’ve never had a chance to really talk, to see how much is there beyond the chemistry.”

His eyes flared in the candlelight. “There’s a lot there. I’m looking forward to finding out more about you.”

“Not all of it’s good.” Oops. She hadn’t meant for that to pop out.

He chuckled softly. “That means you’re human, like the rest of us. Good to know. It’s too much pressure to be perfect.”

The things this man did to her with his sincere words and direct gaze.

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