Page 74 of Dirty Little Secret
I didn’t want her to limit herself to just serving, but I didn’t want to interfere with every decision she made, either. “I’m sure you could be great at it if you put your mind to it, Zandra.” I took her hand again, letting our clasped hands rest on the table. “Whatever you put your mind to, I’m sure you can do. Don’t let anything stop you.”
With a nod, she pulled her hand out of mine to pick up the menu. “I suppose I should have a look at this so I can make a decision before he gets back.”
I opened mine too. “The Piedmontese beef looks good to me.”
“I’m torn between the catfish and the scallops,” she said, then looked up at me. “The sides are throwing me off, though. I’ve got no idea what any of them are. But I know I like scallops, and I know I like catfish. Do you think you can take a look at them and tell me which one you would pick?”
I took a look at the sides and read that a grilled zucchini dish with a fancy Italian name was served with the scallops. She had liked the ones I’d made when we had our little Sunday dinner. “I think you’d like the scallops.”
Putting the menu down, she picked up the wine and took a drink, looking happy as a clam. “I bet I will, Kane. Thank you.”
Finishing the decadent meal with a dessert called Island Bombe, we left the restaurant and headed back to take her home. Even though all I really wanted to do was take her back to my bedroom and kiss her all over.
Resting her head on the back of the seat, she ran her hand over her flat stomach. “Oh my gosh, that was the best meal I’ve ever eaten. Thank you so much for taking me, Kane.”
“If you’ll accept more dates with me, then I’ll take you to a ton more places you’ve never been.” I took her hand, holding it between us on the console. “So, do you think I’ll get a second date?”
Turning her head, she looked at me, blinking slowly. “A second, third, fourth—you name it, you’ve got it. I had more fun with you tonight, and on Sunday too, than I’ve ever had with anyone.”
“If the weather is good, we could take the yacht out this coming weekend.” I knew I was getting ahead of myself, but I couldn’t seem to stop.
“If I’m off, then I would love to join you.” She turned her head to look out the window. “Hopefully, I’ll have a different job by then. I won’t know my schedule until that happens.”
I pulled up in front of her apartment. “Here we are.” Her hand in mine felt good, comfortable—right.
She looked back at me. “Yep.” She moved her fingers a little. “I guess this is goodnight, then.”
With a nod, I said, “I guess so.”
“Okay, then. Thanks again. I had the best night of my life.” She tried to pull her hand out of mine.
I held it tight. “Me too.”
She looked at our hands. “Are you going to let me go, Kane?”
“Do I have to?” I wanted her. I wanted her more than I ever had.
She smiled. “Did those oysters get to you?”
Shaking my head, I admitted, “You got to me.”
“I bet they helped,” she said with a smile. “Would you like to come inside?”
“I would. But I’m warning you, I’m going to pull you into my arms and kiss those sweet lips, and I’m not going to want to stop.” I pulled our hands up to my lips then kissed hers.
“I won’t want you to stop.” She leaned in. “Let’s go inside, Kane.”
“You know what that means.” I looked into her eyes. “I really do care for you, Zandra Larkin. More than I’ve ever cared about any woman.”
“Good.” She kissed my lips just once with a soft kiss. “So let’s go inside and I can show you how much I care about you, too.”
Lord, have mercy!
