Page 131 of Hidden Ties

Focused on the menu and her spinning head, she didn’t get his meaning until she looked at him and realized how Kent was staring at her. Any doubts that he only wanted friendship were blown to smithereens. There was no misinterpreting the sexual interest in his eyes.

Grasping the menu with trembling fingers, she tore her gaze from his. Thankfully, their waitress arrived to take their drink orders.

“We’ll take two cups of coffee, and I’ll take a glass of the strawberry lemonade,” Kent ordered. “What would you like to drink, Sage?”

“The strawberry lemonade.”

When the waitress left to fetch their drinks, she felt Kent’s gaze on her again.

“I’m in the mood for chicken wings,” she quickly filled the silence between them.

Kent chuckled. “You never fail to surprise me.”

Her gaze swung to his. “Why?”

“You keep your emotions very self-contained.” When he turned more fully toward her, his arm grazed hers, sending sensations of warmth traveling through her body. “A time or two, I caught you staring at me as if you’re thinking something over in your head. Am I wrong?”

“No,” she answered stiltedly.

“What were you asking yourself?”

What was taking their drinks so long? Running her fingers through her hair, she tried to think of something that would sound plausible instead of admitting the embarrassing truth.

“Sage …” His hand went to her chin, turning her face back to him. “Perhaps I can help. If you’re wondering if I’m attracted to you, the answer is very much so.”

“Sorry the drinks took so long. I had to make a fresh pot.” Setting the drinks down, the waitress looked at them expectedly. “Have you decided what you want to order?”

Kent took her menu and his and handed them to the waitress. “For a appetizers, we’ll take the chicken wings, and for dinner, the barbeque rib special. Sage?”

“The wings will be enough for me.”

“Good. You can help me eat the ribs.”

Finding herself the focus of Kent’s attention again when the waitress left, she poured cream into her coffee.

“Thanks for ordering the coffee. The beer was starting to get to me.”

“You and me both. Sage, are you trying to pretend I didn’t just tell you I am attracted to you?”

“Yes,” she admitted.

“Why? Because you’re embarrassed or you don’t feel the same way?”

She should have prepared herself for him not letting her change the subject. He was a lawyer; he was skilled at getting the information he wanted.

“I’m not used to men telling me they’re attracted to me,” she slowly explained. “I’ve been so busy working that I haven’t had the time to become involved with anyone.” A sudden thought struck her. “Or were you telling me you were attracted to me for sex? I don’t …”

“Are you saying sex is off the table?”

Sage felt his arm slide behind her back to rest on the back of the booth, surrounding her in their own private space where all of her attention was focused on him despite others sitting a few inches away.

“I’m not saying that …” Nervously, she started twisting the plastic coffee stirrer. “I … don’t just jump in bed with a man because I’m attracted to them. I want there to be a connection between us.”

“I’m on the same page. I want to get to know you better, spend time with you, and when the time is right, move on to a more intimate relationship at your own speed.”

Warmth bloomed in her chest at the way he was talking to her. “You’re not just saying that to get me in bed?”

“No. The only reason I brought up my attraction to you tonight is because I felt you were misunderstanding my motives of us going out tonight. I don’t want to find myself in the friend category when I make a move on you.”

---