Excited, Press nodded. “We both do. The doctor who leads it, Monroe, has become a good friend. I’m bringing him up because his partner was also like you and Nate. None of you were discreet or cared much who you were with.”
Outraged, I slapped my hand on the table, setting the cutlery jumping. “Hey. Give me a little credit. I have discretionandtaste. I don’t sleep with just anyone.” I huffed out my annoyance. “My taste in bed partners, like my palate, is unparalleled.” I grinned.
But Press didn’t return my smile, and my grin faded. “Frisco, come on. We’re not kids anymore. We’re almost forty. And every year it gets harder to find someone. We get more independent and set in our ways.”
“For the last time, I’m not interested in meeting someone and dating. I don’t want to attend cute little dinner parties and laugh at inside jokes with someone. I have no interest in walking hand in hand into the sunset or on a beach. I hate the sand, and I prefer to spend my nights in bed, naked, with someone else naked under me or on top of me. Now, can we get a waiter to take away this dreck? And let’s have something sinful for dessert. I want something sweet.” Good thing I wasn’t reviewing this place. The food was horrible. Was I not allowed to say that anymore in case it offended Salvatore Grant’s feelings? Someone needed to tell him that if he couldn’t play with the big boys, he should go back to the sandbox.
The server, a cute blonde in a short black skirt and a tight white T-shirt, reached across me to remove my plate, and her full breasts brushed against my arm. I shifted away. “I’m sorry.” I gave her an apologetic look, even though I wasn’t.
“Don’t be,” she said with a saucy wink. “Can I interest you in a chocolate mousse or one of our famous pastries?”
“I’ll let my friend choose, but make sure you give the bill to me. And if you want to tell me when you get off shift, we can meet for a drink, or…” I left the sentence open, and she licked her lips. My cock thickened, and I breathed in the light floral scent of her cologne along with something musky and hot.
“I don’t drink. But I am interested in the ‘or’…” The blatant invitation in her eyes left no doubt what she was after, and I was more than happy to give it to her. “I get off in twenty minutes.”
“Perfect.” Remembering Presley was there, I arched a brow. “Did you decide what you want?”
“Nothing. I’m fine. I’d better get home.” He checked his watch. “Nate said he’d call after dinner, and I don’t want to miss him.”
“Fly home, little butterfly.” I handed the server my credit card, letting my fingers tangle with hers. “I’ll have a cappuccino and wait for this lovely lady to finish.”
She giggled and left, but Presley sat scowling at me.
“What?” I groused. “I sense a lecture.”
“Are you going to sleep with her?”
I shrugged. “Who mentioned sleep? Besides, I’ve got nothing else planned for tonight.”
His shoulders slumped. “That makes me sad.”
“But not me. The world is filled with infinite possibilities. Why would I choose one person over and over again?”
Maybe because you’re too scared to let anyone see the real you.
All my life I’d lived with a devil on my shoulder, who loved to point out my failings. As usual, I ignored him.
Presley kissed my cheek and slipped on his coat. “It’s not for me to say, but you’ll understand when you meet the right one. You won’t be able to forget them, even if you try. You’ll want to peel away the outer skin of what they show to everyone and discover what they’re hiding and only willing to show you. And do the same for them.” He walked out the door.
Presley was wrong. I wanted to forget people because they hurt me. At least, the ones who were supposed to be the closest to me did. What people hid was ugly, and I wished I’d never discovered their secrets. That wasn’t love. It was deception, hate, and fear. I’d seen enough of that, thank you very much, and had no desire to revisit it.
“Ready?” The server stood before me in faded jeans and the same tight, white T-shirt, with a pair of brown boots reaching over her knees. Young and fresh. An uneasy thought seized me.
“How old are you? You aren’t married or engaged or anything, right?”
Her laughter tinkled. “Of course not. And I’m twenty-five. Don’t worry. Where would you like to go? Do you live around here?”
Relieved, I rose from my seat and buttoned up my Burberry trench coat. “No, do you?” Even if I did, I never brought people home with me.
Dark-brown eyes slanted up at me from under a thick fan of heavily mascaraed lashes, and she took my hand as we walked out of the restaurant. “I do. I have a roommate, but she’s out of town, visiting her family. We could…”
So we did.
