Joe:In a potato sack, you’d be the most beautiful woman in the room. In ANY room. So relax, and enjoy the surprise.
Joe:Wait, relax. You may not know what that means, let me think how to explain…
Caterina:Very funny. Is there food involved? I’m starving.
Joe:Nice try for a hint. See you at eight.
Caterina:Grr. Fine.
Joe:Did you just growl at me? That’s fucking hot.
Joe:Still not telling you.
“I’m not used to you smiling this much.” Dom laughed as he regarded me through thinned eyes. “You had us all worried you’d be married to this place for the rest of your life.”
“Iammarried to this place. It’s still my first priority, but, like you said, time to get the stick out of my ass and have a little fun.”
“You packed enough for more than just fun. You like this girl. I’m glad, but are you guys on the same page? I mean, she still lives in New York City, right?” He leaned against the wall next to the bar with his arms crossed.
“Brooklyn, yes. She told me this morning she wants to give whatever it is between us a chance. Honestly, I have no clue what’s going to happen. But, I need to see where it goes, anyway. I know it makes no sense—”
“Nothing has to make sense. Just go with it.” He slapped my shoulder. “I’ll open tomorrow. That way, there’s no excuse to cut the night short. Get out of here. I got this all handled.”
“You always do. And thanks.”
“Running this place with you is my job. No need to thank me.” He slapped my arm.
“I mean, thanks for being a ball-breaker who forces me to see things I don’t want to, sometimes.”
A tiny smile played on his lips. “You’d do the same for me. You did. By letting me come out here with you in the first place.”
I nodded, turning to go back into the kitchen and collect everything I’d prepped for tonight. It still felt like our time was running out, but, at least, she was willing to give us a chance. For right now, that was enough for me.
I parked outside of the address Caterina had texted and climbed the front stairs. I’d only been to the rentals in Ocean Cove a handful of times but always left in awe. Some of the houses were mini-mansions, but Caterina’s rental was on a street with the more modest houses. Before I could ring the bell, one of her friends appeared in the doorway and almost made me jump out of my skin.
“Hi, Joe. I’m Claire. Very nice to meet you.” She held out her hand for me to shake as she shut the door behind her.
“Nice to meet you, too.” I took her hand. Claire held it for a long beat as she studied my gaze.
She beamed at me before she gave me another once-over. “You arejustwhat she needs, I can already tell. I love that you didn’t tell her where you were going. She’s a planner, and she’s been going nuts.”
“I had a feeling she would.” I chuckled and shook my head. “I hope I didn’t make herthatcrazy.”
“Nah. She needs it. She never lets herself have fun. Well, she didn’t until this week.”
Her eyes met mine and darted away. I sucked in my bottom lip to hide my smile, realizing Caterina probably spilled about that first night we met.
“Show her a good time and don’t hurt her and you and I will be good.” She leveled her eyes at me in warning.
“Understood.” I held my hands up in surrender. Claire was tall and slim, but I could tell she would have no problem trying to kick my ass. “The last thing I’d ever do is hurt her; I promise you that.”
At least, not on purpose. I already knew one night with her wouldn’t be enough, and things would get messy when we got closer.
When, not if, because I already hated the thought of letting her go.
“All right.” Caterina’s exaggerated sigh made it outside before she did. She strutted up to me in a short denim skirt and an off-the-shoulder top, twirling around before her hands fell to her sides. I gave her body a shameless perusal, my mouth watering to taste the silky olive skin right above her collarbone. She said I dripped sex, but this woman basked in it, and she had no clue.
“If I have to change, tell me now.”
