He stole a peek at her cleavage. Then another. His fingers itched to trace the smattering of freckles on her delicate skin. He needed something mundane to take his mind off her body. Something innocuous. “How’d work go?”
“Good. My assistant was able to reschedule all my appointments from yesterday.”
“Shit.” He hadn’t even though about that. “I’m sorry.” He glanced at her as he pulled onto the highway toward Raleigh.
“Don’t.” She rested her hand on his arm. “It’s not a big deal. It’s not the first time I’ve ever called in sick.”
He grabbed her hand and laced his finger through hers. Raising it, he kissed her knuckles, earning a gentle smile. Resting their hands on the console, he held her hand until he was forced to downshift getting off the highway.
Outside the restaurant, the valet took his key in exchange for a ticket, and Jase jogged around the front of the truck. “I got her.” He patted the second valet on the shoulder and edged him out of the way. Bree had both her feet in front of her, prepared to hop down. He set her gently on the ground and watched as she smoothed the back of her skirt.
“Ready?”
“Yes,” she said.
The decor was rustic. Rough hewn wood pillars broke up the large space, creating the illusion of smaller rooms. Low lighting and candles added to the sense of intimacy.
“Welcome to Catch 22,” the hostess said.
“Hi. I have a reservation.”
“Jase!”
He turned at the sound of his name. “Scott. Hey, man.” He released Bree’s hand to embrace his friend and exchange one-arm hugs. Releasing his hand, he pulled Bree close to his side.
“Scott, this is Bree. Bree, Scott. Creator of the gourmet MRE.”
Laughing, Scott said, “I haven’t cooked MREs in almost ten years. It’s nice to meet you, Bree.”
“It’s nice to meet you too, Scott. I love your restaurant.”
“You’ve been here before?”
“A couple of times, for special occasions.”
“You’re in for a treat,” Scott told them. “You’re my special guests tonight. Jenny, can you take them to the chef’s table?”
Jase and Bree stepped to the side as the hostess joined them. “If you’d like to follow me?”
Scott clapped Jase on the shoulder. “Enjoy your dinner. I’ll check on you in a few.”
“Thanks, man.” Jase and Bree followed the hostess to a small table tucked behind the hustle and bustle of the kitchen.
“Wow, you really did call in a favor,” Bree whispered, laying the cloth napkin across her lap.
“I wasn’t expecting this. I just asked him if he could fit us in.”
The silver fork slid between Bree’s lips, and she closed her eyes and hummed. Her pink tongue darted out. She licked at the corner of her mouth, catching a tiny dot of sauce that had been left behind.
Fuck, she was trying to kill him. He was pretty sure Scott was in on the plan. The last hour had been sheer torture. Scott spared nothing, going above and beyond by serving them a full chef’s tasting. They were on their seventh course. He hadn’t tasted any of it.
“Oh my god. This is so good,” she moaned.
The erotic images playing in his head had nothing to do with food.
“I swear each plate is better than the one before.”
Jase glanced at his nearly untouched food. He’d have to take her word for it.
