Page 14 of Audra: The Prequel

Her daughter’s eyes brightened. “Pretty! Are you going on a date?”

“I’m going out with a friend.” Audra tucked the purse under her arm. For the most part, she didn’t share her romantic life with her daughter and had never introduced her to any other man.

Kerilyn sat up. “Is it a boy or a girl?”

“It’s a boy, but boys and girls can be friends,” Audra patiently explained.

“Are you going to kiss him?”

“Kerilyn!”

Her daughter giggled.

“I’m going to kiss you!” Audra smothered her face with kisses, enjoying the sound of her daughter’s laughter as she wriggled in her arms, pretending to want to get away.

Finally, she looked down at her. “I’m going to leave in a few minutes. Be good for Grandma andAbuelo.”

“I’malwaysgood.” Kerilyn hopped off the bed. “Can I have ice cream later?”

“You can, but not too late, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Bye-bye. Love you.” Audra bent down and gave her daughter one last kiss.

“Bye-bye. Have fun!” Kerilyn raced off toward her grandparents’ bedroom.

Audra took a deep breath. She hadn’t been on a date in a while, and Damon made her incredibly nervous.

She descended the stairs to the first floor and climbed into the car she had hired for the night. She greeted the chauffeur, an older man with graying hair, before sliding onto the backseat.

As the driver headed down the driveway, she did another check of her appearance in her compact. “You look fine,” she muttered to herself.

“Excuse me, ma’am?” the driver said, meeting her eyes in the rearview mirror.

“Nothing. I’m talking to myself,” Audra said with an embarrassed laugh.

Damon had chosen the restaurant Prime Table, a small, intimate establishment known for its steaks and lobster mac and cheese. Audra was surprised he had been able to get areservation on such short notice. She had only been there once and was looking forward to visiting again.

When she arrived, she gave her name at the front, and the hostess escorted her toward the rear of the building where Damon was waiting. He came to his feet as she approached, and her eyes absorbed every inch of him.

He looked delicious in a dark plaid sport coat paired with a light-colored shirt and dark pants. The fit of his clothes was perfect, emphasizing his broad shoulders and physique. With his hair and beard freshly trimmed, it was hard to keep her eyes off him.

He seemed to be having a similar problem, casting an appreciative gaze down the length of her body. “You look amazing.” His voice was as smooth and rich as melted caramel and made between her thighs quiver with longing.

As Audra lowered into her chair, Damon stepped behind her and gently pushed it in place.

“Thank you,” she said over her shoulder, catching the appealing scent of his aftershave.

He returned to his chair, and she folded her hands in her lap.Calm down, she chided herself. She was way too excited and aroused.

Since she and Kerilyn’s father split, she’d been on dates, but nothing serious. Spending time with Damon caused nervous energy to spike inside her. Tonight with him felt more momentous—for lack of a better word—than the dates she had been on since her breakup.

“This arrangement was a bit odd for me,” Damon said.

“What do you mean?”

“Having to meet you here. I’m used to picking up a woman or, at the very least, sending a car for her.”

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