Page 35 of My Casanova

I leaned in, and she rose up on her toes to meet me. Our lips met in a slow, deliberate kiss. She tasted like something sweet and addictive. The feel of her soft mouth moved against mine and made my blood heat. I slid my hand up to cup the back of her neck and held her there. I deepened the kiss just enough to leave her breathless.

A loud horn blared from the street and shattered the moment. I opened my eyes to find her looking up at me with her cheeks flushed and her lips parted.

“Wow,” she murmured.

Wow was right.

“Let’s get some dinner,” I suggested and stepped back reluctantly. As much as I wanted to take her right then and there, I didn’t think the parking lot was the best place.

I took her hand and led her inside the steakhouse. The place was buzzing with conversation, and the smell of sizzling steaks filled the air. Leather and cowhide decorated the walls and gave the place a rugged charm. A long bar stretched across one side while secluded booths lined the opposite wall, offering privacy. Tables filled the center and were packed with hungry customers.

We approached the hostess station.

“Welcome to Carter’s,” the hostess chirped and flashed a bright smile. “Just the two of you?”

I nodded.

“Would you like a booth or a table?”

“Booth,” I requested without hesitation.

She tapped on her tablet. “It’s going to be about a five-minute wait while we clear a table. What’s the name I can put down?”

“Smoke.”

The woman glanced up at me, surprised. “Okay. You guys can wait here or grab a drink at the bar.”

I looked at Dani. “Want a drink?”

She nodded. “Sure.”

I led her to the bar, which was crowded but manageable. I managed to wedge myself in, maneuvered her into the open space, and stood behind her. My front pressed against her back as I wrapped an arm around her waist and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “What do you want to drink, angel?”

She tilted her head slightly, and her gaze met mine. “I’ll just have a glass of Pinot Noir.”

I signaled the bartender. “Pinot Noir for the lady and a beer for me.”

The bartender nodded and set to work. Dani turned in my arms and leaned back against the bar as her eyes scanned the place. “This place is nice. I’ve never been here before.”

“Broken Bow is nice. Small town, but still things to do.” I didn’t need to look around the restaurant. I just wanted to watch her.

She eyed me curiously. “You know that how?”

I hesitated for a beat before answering. “I was raised here.”

Before she could ask more, the bartender returned with our drinks. I handed her the wine, and she accepted it with a small smile. “Thank you.”

The hostess appeared at our side. “I have your booth all ready for you two.”

I stepped to the side and took Dani’s hand in mine as we followed the hostess through the restaurant. She led us to a booth tucked in the corner that offered a perfect vantage point of the entire dining area. Dani slid in first, and I followed on the other side with a clear view of the restaurant.

“Your waitress will be over in a minute. Enjoy your meal.” The hostess left us alone.

Dani sipped her wine and watched me curiously. “Tell me more about this being your hometown.”

I shrugged and took a sip of my beer. “Not much to tell. Born and raised here. Had a few run-ins with the local police before I took off at eighteen. My parents left a couple of years after I did. They’re in Maine now.”

“Are you close with them?” she asked.

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