Page 63 of Friends With Benefits

Mitch had made dinner reservations at a romantic restaurant just off Alameda Padre Serra. In a small hotel set in lush, tropical grounds, the patio overlooked the lights of the city. Glowing candles and lamps cast the foliage into shadows and created a dreamy, seductive ambience.

“This is so beautiful,” Kerri said, looking around. An attentive waiter handed them menus. Kerri studied the tantalizing selections while Mitch ordered a bottle of Pinot Grigio.

“I was debating between here and Insatiable,” he said. “Have you ever been there?”

“No, but I hear it’s amazing. Super expensive, though.”

“Yeah, but one of the best restaurants in the country. But I decided here was quieter. Insatiable is a place for people watching. Apparently Oprah likes to eat there.”

Kerri grinned. “Yeah, that’s my kind of place. Oprah and me, we go way back.”

He laughed and sipped his wine, watching her across the table. The hint of a breeze stirred her glossy black hair. Her eyes sparkled in the candlelight and he couldn’t remember ever seeing her look so happy or so beautiful. Christ, he was lucky.

“So what are we going to do after dinner? You told me to be ready. I’m thinking you don’t have a movie in mind.”

She smiled slowly. “It’s nothing, really. Tell me what’s happening at work this week.”

Amused by her deflection and although intensely curious, he went along with her conversational lead.

Their food arrived, beautifully presented and delicious.

“Don’t eat too much,” Kerri warned him.

Hmm. What did she have in store for them? “Are we going swimming?” he asked, half serious, half teasing.

She shook her head and touched her napkin to her mouth.

After dinner, they shared a decadent mocha dessert and lingered over strong, smooth coffee.

Mitch glanced at his watch. “Do we need to leave?”

“Just stop trying to get me to tell you!” She laughed. “We can leave anytime. But on our way, I need to stop at the spa.”

“Oh. Okay.” Saturday night the place was closed. Did she need to pick up something?

Kerri needed to use the ladies’ room as they left the restaurant, so he pulled the car around and waited for her at the entrance. She slipped in moments later.

He drove leisurely through the dark streets, down State, turning on Chapala and parking in front of the studio. “Should I just wait here?”

“No, come in. I’ll be a few minutes.”

She opened the front door and they stepped into the salon. Just as Kerri locked the door behind them, Mitch thought he heard another door closing—at the back of the salon. Huh?

“Come with me,” she said, leading the way down the hall.

Mitch noticed lights coming from the yoga studio and the thought entered his head that Kerri must have left them on for security. But when he reached the French doors into the large room, he stopped.

Candles arranged along the front wall of the studio cast a warm, wavery glow across the dark room.

“What the…”

Kerri crossed over to the small desk where the sound system sat and dropped her little purse there. She pressed a button on the stereo and slow, soft piano music drifted across the room. She slipped out of the little cardigan she wore over her dress.

“Come in,” she invited him softly.

“What are we doing?” he asked stupidly. His jaw dropped as she reached behind her to unzip her dress and then slid it down over her shoulders, arms, hips until it floated to the floor at her feet.

“This is your fantasy.”

---