Page 31 of Down & Dirty

“’Cause you called your publicist and there are photographers waiting in the bushes?”

I smirked. “Not yet.”

“I knew all that shit was fake. I knew you were never ambushed.” The smug look on her face might have annoyed me another day, but not today.

Leaning back in the seat, I stretched out my legs. “You’re just proving my point; you’re smart, pragmatic, once again making you perfect for this job.” I turned to her, my humor fading. “But it’sa job. Once we leave this car, you have to act, Sky. And I just want to make sure you’re ready.”

She blew out a loud breath. “Like you were at the garage. I thought I was going to have to pick your jaw up off the ground when I walked over.”

“Hey, I had no idea what your play was. You ignored me when you first came in. For all I knew, you were backing out.”

Her eyes narrowed, as if she was annoyed I’d even suggested that. “I’m not backing out, Cory. I’m in this. So just tell me what the hell you want.”

I sighed, trying to bring the energy back down. “I want you to have fun. To feel comfortable.”

There was nothing but other cars around us, but she scanned out the windshield for a second before she turned back. “Okay, so, whatlite PDAam I in store for?” she asked, holding up her fingers in air quotes.

This was always the most awkward part of these relationships. But it had never felt so precarious before.

“I’d like to hold your hand, that kind of thing.”

“Cory,” she reached for my knee, and her brow bent as if she was talking to a child. “I know how to act on a date. I know how men act when they’re on a date. I won’t freak out if you touch me,and I won’t reveal to everyone in there the extent to which you drive me fucking nuts. Okay? Can we just do this please?”

When had I become the soft one?I was just trying to make sure she knew what to expect, but maybe I needed to lighten up.

“All right. Let’s go, then.”

With a huff, she pushed her door open, grabbing her clutch from the dash. She waited for me in front of her car and gave me a convincing wink before we started for the entrance.

As we got to the door, I placed my hand on the small of her back. Her only reaction was a slight tilt to her lips, and I let out another sigh. I had to relax. Sky was doing fine, it was me that was the problem.

“You’re really wearing the hell out of those pants,” I said, leaning back to take her in and biting my lip.

Sky’s cheeks pinked, but she just laughed. “You mean the rips?”

A chuckle rumbled out of me. She knew that wasn’t what I meant. “Hardly.”

“I’m glad you like them.” She regarded me expectantly and her voice softened with the slightest hint of doubt. “I wasn’t sure what sort of look you wanted from me.”

As the hostess approached, I kept my eyes on Sky. “You don’t ever have to be anybody but you. You’re always gorgeous.” I swallowed hard, the weight of how true that was sitting on my chest.

Sky held my gaze, her lips falling open for a split second before the hostess interrupted. I took advantage of the distraction, looking around the room as if I cared who else was there.

I let Sky slip in front of me, my hand skimming easily over her hip as we were led through the packed dining room. As I expected, several heads turned our way. I hadn’t bothered to set up any press for the night, knowing we still had some kinks to work out, but as far as practice runs go, things were off to a good start.

At the table, I helped Sky with her chair and when she lookedup at me through thick lashes, humor danced in her eyes. I could imagine just how far I was deviating from her initial impressions of me, considering her disdain had been clear from the start. It seemed like any sort of kindness I extended now was just going to rub up against her expectations.

Which was fine with me. So long as she kept watching me with those eyes, I’d keep performing like the doting boyfriend.

“Wine?” I asked cautiously. After the bar the other night, I wasn’t sure how Sky would feel about drinking.

Her eyes scanned my face, reading me. “One glass.”

I turned to the waiter, “We’ll take a bottle of the Susana Balbo, please.”

When he darted off, Sky sat back in her chair, lazily looking over the menu. “You like that, don’t you? Ordering for us.” There was a smirk on her face, but she didn’t raise her eyes.

“I was actually just thinking it would be nice to share something I enjoy with you.”

---