Chapter 2

Of course, I arrived at the busy restaurant way too early, and yet again, rain greeted me, but only a typical late fall, wind-driven spattering that ended as a misty swirl. Friday night meant the place was packed with a raucous crowd and once inside, I found a hard wooden bench amid others waiting for tables, or like me, scanning the lot for dinner partners. Every pair of headlights had my heartbeat surging; it wasn’t the braless picture, although that played a part. No, it was her eyes, now a mainstay of my dreams.

When a huge, midnight black Cadillac Escalade, its massive grill ensconced in shiny chrome, lumbered out of the gloom, I paid it no mind at first, but as it splashed past open spots to occupy every inch of the one beside my car, I gulped ... then chuckled. Somehow that fit her, flashy, overpowered, yet upscale, in a solid and reliable sort of way.

“Bet it’s got a pink interior.” A louder laugh escaped me as I stood. “Or at least a pink leather steering wheel.”

Ah, but the laugh died when she slipped from the truck wearing a dark woolen jacket, short, it revealed a skirt—also short despite the chilly drizzle that had begun once more. Black, flirty material swished around toned thighs as she dashed closer, dodging puddles. She had nice legs; in class, she’d only ever worn pant suits.

No sooner had I shoved open the door than she rushed inside, flashing me a grin. Dark hair up and in—well, let’s just call it sultry—makeup, she could’ve owned the red carpet of a fancy, shmancy gala event.

“Hi, Evan.” After scanning me, she nodded. “Damn, you’re handsome.”

Only putty dockers and a long sleeve navy polo shirt adorned me; she’d said casual. When she shrugged from the coat, revealing a plum-colored top with a plunging neckline glued to her torso, the air hissing from my mouth was not quite a whistle.

“Oh, my.” Cheeks reddening, she chuckled. “Guess I chose the right ensemble, huh?”

“Um-hmm.” The pulses in my skull were a deafening drumbeat. “Wow! Um, thought you said casual?”

After leaning closer, she whispered, “Well, I’m not wearing any panties.”

When I gasped, she laughed and soft, chilly fingers gripped my arm. “Oh, you are fun. And you wish. Come on, feed me. I’ve starved myself all day to pig out in front of you.”

With her quiet chortling and heat gripping my face, we followed a black-clad hostess to a booth. Once she’d sat, I slipped onto the bench across from her, and then nothing. Between brief scans of the menu, my brain mustered words, but they vaporized at each glimpse of those violet pools, glimmering in the light of a small hanging lamp.

“Awkward,” she murmured, smiling at me.

Before I could respond, a server arrived for our drink orders. While I stuck to water, she ordered a red wine.

“Not a drinker?” she asked.

“Sometimes, but I’ve gotta drive.”

“Ah, good point. Well, I shall be one and done.” A quiet, if sad, laugh left her. “For the record, though, if you do run away early, I’m still gonna eat. So, no drinking on an empty stomach.”

“Why do you keep saying that?” My brows tightened. “I mean, I can’t see you driving away many men.”

For a while, she sat, pinning me with those eyes, but just as she was about to speak, our drinks arrived, and we selected our meals. Once the server left, she took a very long sip, still scanning me before smacking those shiny, ruby lips.

“Um, also, for the record, Evan, every time you give me that look, my entire body tingles.”