Page 8 of Regards, Mia

He catches our server and orders a few appetizers and another bottle of wine. “Anything else look good to you?”

Besides him?“No, that’s fine.”

The server disappears, and it’s just me and Jay, sitting close together as if we are intentionally on a date. “I can’t believe I just got ditched. Without even a text.”

Jay shrugs. “It’s actually not the first time it’s happened to me.”

I turn my head to look at him, my eyes widening with disbelief. It’s hard to believe any woman in her right mind would turn him down. “Guess you and Emily aren’t going on a second date.”

He shakes his head. “Her sister is probably going to give me hell for it.”

“But it’s not your fault.”

He lifts a brow, but doesn’t add to the conversation as the server comes back with the wine and pours a sample. She hands it to Jay, but he gives it to me.

“Taste it,” he says.

A bolt of desire shoots down my spine. Usually I’m not the type to take orders, but I’m all too eager to do anything this man says. The quiet confidence in his voice, combined with the sexy package of it’s owner, makes me jump to do as he commands.

I lift the glass to my lips and take a sip. One taste of the rich, spicy wine, and I’m sent straight back to my summer studying abroad in Italy.

“Where’s this from?” I ask.

“Sky Valley Vineyards,” the server says with more than a hint of local pride. “Do you like it?”

I nod, my gaze colliding once again with Jay’s. “It’s surprisingly good.”

When she’s gone, silence stretches between us, but it’s not unpleasant.

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” He lifts the wine bottle, pausing to meet my gaze before he fills my glass.

He’s giving me an out, letting me go if that’s what I want. What do I want? To be home, tucked under my covers, reading about motorcycle mafias? Or sitting here with what is quite possibly the real thing?

I tilt my glass toward Jay and wonder what I’m about to get myself into. “Pour.”

CHAPTER 3

Just My Type

Mia forks the last bite of tiramisu and holds it up to my mouth. “Eat this before I do.”

I usually skip dessert, but I open my mouth obediently. I’ve known Mia all of two hours, and she’s already got me wrapped around her little finger. She could ask anything of me in that low, silky voice and I’d do it.

I’ll go back to chicken and vegetables tomorrow. Tonight it’s tiramisu, and if I’m lucky, Mia.

From the moment I saw her, I wanted her. After sharing a meal and conversation with her, I don’t just want her. I need her. I’m a sucker for a strong, confident, shit-talking woman. Some might call them bitches or Ice Queens, but I call them Just My Type.

Mia leans forward and points to the corner of my mouth. “You’ve got chocolate sauce.”

I lick my lip, and her eyes track the slow sweep of my tongue. Anticipation vibrates between us, thickening the air with a sense of urgency. I need to kiss her, but I hold off, teasing out the tension between us like foreplay.

When we kiss, it’s gonna be combustible, inevitably leading to one place. Someone’s bedroom.

Mine. Hers. Doesn’t matter. We’re going there, and we’re going to stay all night.

Her pale blue gaze is sucker punch that steals my breath. My face gives away my thoughts, and Mia reads me easily, a slow smile curving her mouth.

“Excuse me.” A voice sounds from above. “Sorry to interrupt, but can I get you guys anything else?”

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