Page 16 of Summer Heatwave
“Uhm, I’m sorry, Antonio, but we didn’t order this.”She hoped her grin softened her words.She quickly glanced around and suggested, “Perhaps this belongs to another table.”
“Oh, no, Ms.Hood.Chef made this special for you and your gentlemen.”He winked at her showing off his long Italian eyelashes.The young man was just too pretty with that olive skin, dark curly hair, and mannerisms that screamed Mediterranean.
She was speechless.She’d grown up in a loud, boisterous, Italian family back home, but people didn’t do kind things like this.
“Please tell the chef that we are honored.”Mike pointed to the platter.“This looks absolutely incredible.I can’t wait to taste it.”He picked up the two large spoons and scooped portions of the meats, cheeses, and assorted vegetables onto the small dishes.
Kam had never been so thankful that a man spoke for her.Normally she hated when men took over a conversation as though she weren’t capable.In this instance, she still hadn’t found her voice.
Mike grinned up at Antonio.“You can honestly tell your chef that he left Ms.Hood speechless.”
Chapter7
Kam stackedher fork with a cube of mozzarella and a slice of pepperoni.As the flavors blended in her mouth, she groaned her approval.Finding her voice, she picked up the conversation.“I’m so glad you understand the politics behind capturing someone as evil as Big Daddy.”
As she glanced around the half-empty restaurant, she was happy to see that most of the tables were now empty.“We have to find his club.I wanted to shake him up so someone in his organization will hopefully make a mistake.”
Mike chuckled.“We do everything possible to stay out of the media and operate under the radar.We don’t want anybody we are hunting to know we’re coming for them.But that’s usually not a problem, because as military we’re not allowed to operate inside the United States.”
Kam stared at him, her fork halfway to her mouth.“You’re not naïve enough to believe that the United States isn’t filled with spies placed strategically by our enemies.They have eyes and ears everywhere.You don’t need television to broadcast your intentions.Never forget that I work for Homeland Security.There’s a reason we have such a large office here in San Diego.”
“I can assure you, Kam, we’re well aware.”He sipped his wine.“SEALs are well aware of operational security.Your recent operation is proof of that.”
The rest of the meal disappeared as quickly and easily as the antipasto.Their conversation never stopped.Later that night, she admitted to herself that she had enjoyed the evening with Mike.The proof was that she no longer thought of him as Commander Mike Gallagher.Sometime between her slamming him to his back at the gym and the tiramisu that the chef had insisted they take home, he’d moved completely out of the cocky bastard realm and into the friend zone.
They stepped out of the restaurant and Kam prepared to say goodbye then remembered they both had to walk back to the gym to get their cars.Mike immediately took up position on the outside, closest to the street.Even though she had long legs, he adjusted his stride to match hers.He really was a gentleman, right down to the fact that he had already slipped his credit card to Antonio before she even thought about the bill.She had, though, managed to leave an extra tip for the chef.
“So, what’s my next step with teaching your trainers?Should I start on that pile of paperwork?”She was only half-joking.
“Our board meeting is on Monday, but I’m going to try to talk with Captain Hubbard first, so I don’t catch him off-guard.He and Vice Admiral Maddox are touchy when it comes to inter-agency cooperation.”Mike put his hand in the small of her back as they crossed the street.Dropping it when they reached the sidewalk, she felt cold where he had touched her.No man had ever treated her with such casual respect.Especially not her ex.
Within a few minutes, they were back in the martial arts academy parking lot.All the shops in the strip mall were closed and there were only a few cars scattered over the quarter-mile.She was thankful there had been a spot open under one of the big overhead lights.Her car was a few rows and several slots away from a huge black SUV.She didn’t need to ask.The vehicle looked like something Mike would drive.
Giggling, she teased, “Does your big truck compensate for your…shortcomings?”She slapped her hand over her mouth.She couldn’t believe she just blurted out her thoughts.
Mike stared at her before he started to slowly grin.“Kameron, I can assure you that I don’t have any shortcomings that I need to compensate for, but if you’re interested in a personal demonstration, that can be arranged.But not tonight.I think you may have had a little bit too much to drink and I refuse to take advantage of a woman under the influence.I’ll happily take a raincheck, though.”
The heat in his eyes lit a fire to something she’d thought had died years ago.She never had a one-night stand and wasn’t going to start with the very sexy Navy SEAL in front of her.On the other hand, dating had been on her list of things to do when she was settled in California.
Without giving the situation much thought, she suggested, “I teach Brazilian jujitsu two evenings a week.If you’re here on Tuesday night, and don’t mind my sweaty gi, we could go to dinner again, but next time I pick up the bill.”She stopped at her car and fished in the little pocket for keys.She had put their next meeting firmly into the date column.
When Mike shook his head, her heart dropped just a little.She’d hoped that this might be the start of something.What exactly, she wasn’t sure she wanted to define.
“No can do.”He moved in closer.“When I take a woman out to eat, I pay for it.”
She gave him a satisfied grin.“Perfect.Since I asked you out, I’ll pay.”
“We can argue over the bill later.”His gaze scanned the parking lot before returning to her.“I want you to know, though, when I take a woman out to dinner, I don’t have any expectations except a good meal and good company.I’m too old to believe the price of supper buys me a happy ending.What I said before…I may have been out of line.”
“I enjoyed myself this evening.”And the fact that she had, surprised her.Kam glanced away before returning her gaze to him.“I’m going to be honest with you.I haven’t dated in so long I’m not sure how to do this.I’ve only been divorced a year and during that time I concentrated on my new job with Homeland Security.When I was recommended for this promotion, I jumped on it.This is a fresh start for me in so many ways.I hope you understand what I’m trying to say.”
“Probably better than you think.”He gave her a self-deprecating grin.“I’ve been divorced twice and I’m not looking for number three.”He shrugged.“I’ve been where you are.Feel free to think of me as your rebound man.If something happens between us, then it happens.If it doesn’t, then it doesn’t.We’ll become friends who grab a bite to eat after we sweat our asses off in Brazilian jujitsu class.”
“I like the sound of that.”She took a step toward him, not sure why.Perhaps it was the way he’d been studying her face as if waiting for a negative reaction.She almost thrust out her hand as though to shake as they said good night.Instead, she grabbed his bicep.“I really did have a good time tonight.”She then took a giant step back toward her car.
He followed suit and stepped away from her as well but didn’t turn his back to walk toward his.
Out of nowhere, a car came speeding down the lane between parking spaces.At the last minute, it swerved toward them.
