Page 45 of Dream Lover
Before I forgot, I dabbed perfume on my wrists and behind my ears. Staring in the mirror, this was as good as it was going to get.
With no time to spare the doorbell chimed, signaling my date’s arrival. Slapping my lips together once more, I made my way to the door.
Letting out a breath and trying my hardest to not let whatever was on the other side of that door bring me to my knees, my fingers wrapped around the handle and pulled. The front door swung open, and Conner waited at the entrance.
Jaw going slack and blue eyes dilating, his lips parted. “Wow,” he breathed the word out. Blush bloomed over my cheeks, spreading down my neck. One word and the man had me in an instant state of belly flutter.
“Hi.”
Shoving a hand forward, he thrusted a bouquet of fresh long-stemmed red roses in my direction. They were absolutely magnificent. “These are for you.”
A smile graced my lips. “Thank you. I’m going to put these in water. Come on in. It’ll only take a second. Do you want a drink? I have beer.”
“No thanks. I’ll get something at the restaurant.” His gaze swept over my curves as he sucked in a sharp breath. A finger crooked around the collar of his black button-down shirt and tugged. He looked damn fine, and I felt tempted to say to hell with dinner and let him eat me instead, but we needed to talk.
A dark strand of hair fell forward over his forehead, my fingers itching to brush it back. Another part of me wanted to attach my lips to his. This man…
“Babe.” My brows pinched together, and he smirked as I studied him, wondering what the look was for. Please tell me I didn’t have anything between my teeth or coming out of my nose.
“Yeah?”
“The flowers,” he prompted, snapping me out of whatever trance he seemed to have over me.
“Right.” I turned and hustled to the kitchen. Bending down, I snagged a vase from one of the cabinets.
When I spun around, Conner leaned in the doorway wearing a devilish grin, gaze trained on the space where my ass just was. Giving him an eye roll, I filled the vase and stuck the gorgeous roses in and inhaled them deep. My house was going to smell beautiful when I got home.
“Ready?” He watched me, hunger blazing in his intense stare.
I gave my sexy man a nod. My thighs clenched, liquid fire pooling between them when his hand moved to the small of my back. I froze at his welcome touch. A tingle worked its way up my spine and back down to my toes. This man was going to be the death of me.
His feral voice gritted in my ear, lips brushing the delicate shell, warm breath fanning over the skin. Chill bumps pebbled along my arms. “You look absolutely mouthwatering.”
Tilting my neck to meet his eyes, the temptation to kiss him pricked me, but I wanted him to work for it after the blow off he gave me. No way would I give in that easy. Leaning in close, his tempting tongue darted out and wet his lips.
At the last second, I pulled away. “I’m starving,” I announced, steering him toward the door.
“Yeah. Me too.” His sky blue gaze warmed my insides because I didn’t think he meant food.
Conner escorted me to his silver Porsche and drove us to Tinderbox Kitchen. I felt slightly overdressed but loved the more intimate setting of the dining room.
Warm golden walls and tables adorned with white tablecloths topped with mini cactus as the centerpieces were around the room. A long leather bench made up the seating along one side of the walls. That was where the hostess sat us.
Nestled close to Conner, his hand rested on my thigh, the pad of his thumb brushing back and forth where the slit of my dress ended. The musky scent of his cologne penetrated my senses, and I couldn’t get enough of him. Everything inside of me wanted more of him. More of everything that was Conner.
It was hard to stay mad at a man who looked and smelled like Conner when he was going above and beyond to be sweet and attentive. This would be a huge test of my willpower, but I got this.
I ordered wine, and Conner drank beer.
He fed me an appetizer of Fontina stuffed meatballs, popping one between my lips with his fork. The flavor of tangy cheese and garlic exploded in my mouth. It was unbelievable, and I tried really hard not to moan in delight but didn’t quite succeed.
To cover, I asked, “How was Japan?”
“Lonely.” He lifted his fork, adding another meatball.
This caught me off guard. “They have a population of like a hundred million or something.”
“True, but they didn’t have you.” My heart fluttered, and my breath caught in my chest. The meatball in my mouth seemed to get lodged, and it was difficult to swallow down. It took me a moment before it went.
