“Hey.” His voice is soft as he reaches for my hand. “Let’s not put more pressure on ourselves than is already there. In fact, let’s not even think about tomorrow. Please just enjoy this meal with me.”
His voice is so tender; it’s impossible to say no when he pleads with me like that.
I nod. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” I take a huge gulp of air and pick up my fork.
Sterling shakes his head. “What did I tell you about being sorry?”
I smile for the first time tonight. “To knock that shit off.”
His chuckle is warm and silky, and I decide it’s my favorite sound in the whole world. Hearing this man laugh, there’s just something about it.
“Not in so many words, but yes. No apologies tonight. Let’s just enjoy a nice dinner and each other’s company.”
Placing a bite of tender steak into my mouth, I moan. “Dear God . . .”
“Fuck, are you trying to give me an erection in the middle of the restaurant?” he says with a groan.
I swallow, and my jaw drops open. “I didn’t . . . what?”
“That little noise you made. And, of course, when you showed up looking like you do in that dress. A man has his limits, love.”
“I’m sorry.” I wince, realizing I’ve just broken another of his rules.
He shakes his head as his dark eyes smolder on mine. “You’re practically begging for your ass to be spanked tonight.”
A sharp inhale is my only response. I can feel my cheeks turning red, so I focus on my meal, cutting up small bites of steak, chewing and swallowing. But the entire time, I’m hyperaware of Sterling’s sexy presence across from me.
Somehow we make it through the meal, and then Sterling orders us each another wine and requests the dessert menu.
“My mum’s been asking about you.”
“Me?”
He nods. “She wants to know when we’re all getting together to watch Indiana Jones.”
I chuckle. “That would be fun. I wonder if we can find a theater that plays old movies.”
He rubs his chin. “That’s a good idea. I was thinking I’d have to buy it on DVD or something.”
“Soon you’ll have enough money to buy your own theater and show whatever kind of movies you want.”
As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I wish I could take them back. He gives me a sad look that says part of him wishes this money never came into his life at all.
“I never got to thank you for taking me to meet her. She’s a sweetheart,” I say.
“I think she liked visiting with you more than she did me.” Sterling takes a sip of wine, watching me over the rim of his glass.
The slice of chocolate cake we ordered is delivered with a dollop of fluffy cream and curls of dark-chocolate shavings.
“Oh God, this looks amazing.” Tentatively, I pick up my spoon.
“Dig in, love.”
I groan. “I’ve been so good about going to the gym lately. This is not going to end well for me.”
“Fuck that. I told you; I like a woman with curves.” He takes a big bite, his mouth moving over the spoon in a distracting way.
I flash him a challenging smirk. “So you’re saying I’m curvy.”
He shakes his head. “Don’t turn this into a bad thing. I’m saying you’re perfection. Every man’s wet dream. So eat the fucking cake with me, yeah?”
I laugh, despite myself. “Yeah.” Like I can resist, anyway.
We dig in, and soon we’re back to the lighthearted teasing conversations that I feel like I have only with Sterling. It feels good, and so normal and easy between us.
One bite turns into four, and then before I know it, I’ve licked the last of the frosting from the back of my spoon.
“That was amazing.” I wipe the corners of my mouth with my napkin and place it on the table beside the empty plates.
“Thank you for coming tonight. For dinner, for everything.”
“Excuse me for just a second,” I say, rising to my feet.
Two glasses of wine and an ice water, and my bladder is yelling at me, despite the fact that I don’t want to miss a second of being with Sterling. Somewhere deep inside, I know this is my last night with him.
Once I’m locked inside the bathroom stall, I release a long sigh. I hate that we’re coming to the end of the evening. Hate even more that tomorrow, I’ll be forced at last to play matchmaker and set him up with another woman. Part of me wishes I could stay at that table, laughing and drinking wine with him, and just be in his presence forever.
In the bathroom mirror, I can’t help but notice the reflection looking back at me is somber. Yes, my hair is still blown out into silky waves, and my makeup is still on point, but I can see it in my eyes. There’s a deep sadness there threatening to break down.
But I won’t cry now. I take a deep breath and drop my tube of lipstick back inside my purse.
When I finish inside the ladies’ room, I find Sterling standing in the hallway waiting for me, and I stop suddenly. His presence is dominant, sexy, and the look in his eyes is untamed lust. A dark shiver of need races through me.
He stalks closer and places one hand against my lower back. It’s impossible to hold on to the sliver of control I’ve clung to all evening.
“I’m not ready to say good night, and I don’t think you are either.”
I blink up at him, intoxicated with desire and momentarily speechless. “What are you saying?”