Henry originated from Scotland, but it was clear he had painstakingly worked on reducing his accent.It slipped through in conversation, enough that no one could ever mistake him for an American if they listened to him long enough.
The fake ferns and ivy behind us created a privacy curtain, which I had instantly regretted when he attempted to hold my hand earlier while telling me about what his exes liked to do in bed.
That was when I fled to the bathroom.
He groomed his mustache while staring across the table at me.“Wasn’t certain if you were coming back.”
“Neither was I,” a man murmured from behind me.
Henry obviously didn’t hear him.“Have you picked out your dessert?”He thrust the menu at me, almost knocking my glass over.
I quickly saved my white wine and scrambled for a way out of this date.“Truth be told, that steak filled me up more than I thought it would.”
“Maybe food isn’t what you’re craving.Let’s go to the red room and dance.”
The only thing I was craving at the moment was alone time with my sofa and to get out of my heels.“It’s been a long day.I never should have accepted a date on a workday.”
Henry gulped down the rest of his red wine.“If you settled with a mate, you wouldn’t have to work at all.”
If he was trying to challenge me to a debate, my mental knives were already sharpening.“Is that what you’re looking for in a mate?Someone without ambition?”
He gave a throaty chuckle.“You can have ambitionandrun a house.”
I sipped my wine and pondered why some men were threatened by a mate who valued their career.“That’s true, and both genders do a fine job.But I’ve always enjoyed keeping myself busy and making this world a little better.”
“I can keep you real busy.Look, we’re both adults.Why don’t we skip all this foreplay and go back to my place?”
A growl sounded from behind me, and I glanced over my shoulder but couldn’t see past the plants.
Henry abruptly stood and sat beside me.The bench seat made it impossible to escape.After putting his right arm around me, he tilted his head to capture my attention.“You’re the most untouchable woman in this town, Miss Thompson.Some of the men around here think you’re a prude, but you know what I see?A beautiful woman who needs a real man,” he said, his voice dripping with arrogance.“You’ve been wasting your time with the losers around here.”
My skin crawled.“You’re a Mage.I’m not certain this’ll work out.You have all that power.”
“You mean the power to seduce you?”He chuckled softly.“I know how to fuck my partners without killing them.”
Did he want a trophy?
“I’m the primary wine distributor in Storybook and surrounding counties.I rake in a substantial profit.”He stroked my shoulder.“I’d love to show you my boat sometime.”
Someone drifted up to our table and cleared their throat.I turned my gaze to an intense-looking gentleman with coal-black hair and the most stunning golden eyes.
“Miss Thompson.”The Chitah bowed, but despite the pleasantries, his tight voice suggested he was irritated.“I have an urgent business matter to discuss with you.Can we speak privately?”
Lucian Cross was the only Chitah in Storybook with a shaved head, which was why I didn’t immediately recognize him with a full head of hair.Andgorgeousblack hair at that.
“Can’t you see she’s busy?”Henry fired back.“Get lost.”
Lucian’s jaw clenched, and he locked eyes with me.His intense gaze raised the hair on my arms.
While his interruption was unexpected, it offered me an exit from this uncomfortable date from hell.
“I’m sorry, Henry.A Councilwoman’s hours are never done.”I scooted to my right to put distance between us just in case he got the bright idea to steal a kiss.“I appreciate the lovely dinner.”
Henry seemed irritated but thankfully didn’t cause a scene.“I’ll call you so we can do this again.”
Oh no we won’t.
“I look forward to speaking again,” I said with a smile as real as the artificial plant behind me.
