Page 133 of Sin With Me

I handed the bouquet to Harold, our security guard, and he knew what to do immediately. “Would you like these in your apartment, Ms. Cross?”

“Yes, please. And thank you.” Then I turned to Eric, saying, “So, where to, Cowboy? And please don’t tell me we’ll be riding mechanical bulls today, because that’s not really my thing.”

“I can say with certainty that I’d enjoy watching you ride, but not a bull.” The hungry look in his stare as he ate me alive from the bottom up forced my mouth to open. My cheeks flushed with heat as the image of me on top of him flew through my mind once again.

“That’s not what we’re doing. Notyet.”

Not yet,I repeated in mymind.

He kindly opened the passenger door of a black SUV and made his way around the car. In silence we drove to lower Manhattan to one of the piers, where Eric parked his car, came around the front to my side before I got a chance to unbuckle, and opened mydoor.

“You left your hat on your seat,” I noted.

“I don’t wear it all the time, Emma.”

Why was I so uncertain around him, yet curious about what he’d say or do next? As much as I’d thought I had him figured out, I was nowhere near. Deep inside, I had a gut feeling Eric held more secrets than he let on, and I wondered how long it would take me before he let me in to learn them all. For the first time in a long time, I wanted to know everything about a man. The curiosity was driving me crazy.

Eric offered his arm and I hooked mine into it. Being so close to him, I was overwhelmed by his sheer size. The top of my head barely reached his shoulder.

Inside the restaurant, the smell of fried food permeated the air. The place felt homey, and the photographs of celebrities on the walls took me aback. From looped ropes to cowboy hats, horseshoes, and cow bells, the country artifacts took me down south in seconds. The theme was unmistakable. I would never have picked a shack like this as a place to eat on my own. Yet this was such a nice change from the expensive restaurants my regular dates took meto.

“I’ve been to most restaurants in Manhattan, but somehow missed thisone.”

“You’re a down-to-earth kinda girl. I like that. I have a feeling you’ve seen enough expensive restaurants. But if you like, we can change the venue.”

“No, this is perfect.” And exactly what I needed. I was sick of portions the size of my fists that looked more like art than realfood.

“Good. I’ve heard the food is delicious and that it’s a hidden gem. I hope you like licking your fingers.”

Can I lick your fingers?I thought. The way Eric looked at me made me wonder whether he could read my thoughts.

“What are you thinking, Emma?” he asked.

“Nothing.”

“Should I have picked something fancier foryou?”

“Don’t offend me. I may be a city girl, but I can do countrytoo.”

“Good, because you said you wanted to get to know me to do your job better. This” – he pointed to a photograph on a wall – “is pretty much mylife.”

There, in gorgeous sepia tones, was a horse ranch. It was absolutely breathtaking. I wanted to go there and stay there forever.

I shook my head. What was I thinking? I’d never leave Cross Enterprises or my family, who all lived in New Jersey. It had been my home since my birth. Both my brothers lived there, and my beautiful nieces and nephews. And why was I already thinking about riding out into the sunset on a horse with a man I’d barelymet?

We sat in a private booth, and the stereotypical waitress with two braids, one on each side, brought our menus. Looking through the list, I wasn’t sure what to try first. Some of the items, like fried bull testicles, made me squirm, and I began to doubt whether I could actually find something decent toeat.

“May I order for you?” Eric asked.

“Uhm…”

“I promise you’ll enjoy it.” Then he leaned in closer, “And there’s no way in hell I’d let your mouth get within an inch of a pair of testicles I’m not familiarwith.”

“Well, you’re pretty coy,” I said, while seriously considering his offer. “Yes, please order for me. But if I don’t like what I see, I get to choose our next venue.”

We hadn’t yet started our date, and I already knew that one outing wouldn’t be enough.

“Deal.”

“So why don’t you tell me more about this guy you’re looking for? I need details on that kidnapping.”

Eric’s face sobered, and from one look at him, I knew I would be searching for an asshole fromhell.

---