He took her arm and led her out. “No, I didn’t pick out the underwear. Not that I wouldn’t have chosen something nice but I figured I’d leave it to the experts. Plus you didn’t show me the dress. I wasn’t sure what would go right.” And he didn’t know much about women’s lingerie. Except that he liked it.
She didn’t answer just hugged his arm tighter. Her complaisant attitude today surprised him. Not that she hadn’t sassed him a few times, but relatively speaking, it was mild.
They moved through the lobby toward the restaurant and he frowned down at her. “Is everything all right?”
The smile she flashed him sent electricity coursing throughout his body. “It’s wonderful, why?”
He shrugged. “It’s just that you’re much quieter today than normal. And you haven’t given me a hard time about anything.”
Moisture filled her eyes and he swallowed hard wondering what he’d done to make her cry. “You’re giving me an amazing birthday. I haven’t had anyone to help me celebrate my birthday or Christmas or any other holiday in almost two years. If I complain I’m afraid I’ll wake up to find myself back in my dump of a room listening to the cockroaches have a party.”
He stopped right before the hostess stand and reached down to caress her cheek. “This is very real. I hope it makes up for the loneliness of the last few years even if only a tiny bit.” He leaned down to kiss her sweet lips. No one around here knew them; there was no need for pretend. He wanted to make sure she could tell this was real, though. That was his story anyway. The rush that swept through him whenever he kissed her had absolutely nothing to do with the desire to press his lips to hers. No, nothing.
He pulled his lips away then followed the hostess to their table. It was a small one on the covered deck overlooking the ocean. Low lighting and candles decorated the area giving the place a romantic ambiance.
“Is this okay?” he asked as her eyes roamed the scenery.
She looked like she had no worries in the world. Happy. He wanted her to be that way always and to be the one to make it that way for her. And he would as soon as they got Moreno out of the way.
“It’s great. Absolutely perfect. And I’m starving. I haven’t had anything to eat since my breakfast in bed this morning.”
He gave a nod to the waiter who immediately came over for their drink order.
“Would you like a glass of wine? I haven’t seen you drink. I’m not sure if you do.”
She made a face. “I never drink while I’m working and my situation wasn’t ever one where I could afford to. I wouldn’t mind a glass of wine tonight though.”
He ordered a glass for each of them plus an appetizer. The waiter left and he told her, “I figured you might need something in your stomach so the wine doesn’t go straight to your head, especially if you’re not used to drinking.”
“Good idea, especially if you don’t want me dancing on the table top by the end of the night.”
That brought visions of her curvy hips swaying from side to side, her breasts bouncing along to the beat and her long legs standing over him as he swigged his drink to stay calm.Down, boy. It’s not going to happen
Their wine came soon along with some rolls and they chatted companionably until the appetizer arrived. They ordered their meal then nibbled on the mushroom caps that overflowed with a crunchy breading and seafood mixture. He was glad he’d arranged for this. It was a night off for him too. Not that this assignment had been a difficult one compared to some he’d been on but constantly being in character, making sure he didn’t slip up, it could get weary.
For tonight he would simply enjoy the company of a beautiful woman. There was no doubt Meg was that. In her elegant dress and styled hair there was more to her than what he’d been seeing. And he liked it. All of it. All of her.
He took a deep breath.Whoa. Don’t forget that wall you worked so hard to erect. It’s there for a reason. Use it and no one gets hurt.
He shushed the voices in his head and turned his attention back to her. It was her special day. He wanted to focus on her.
When the meal came he chuckled as she eagerly sliced into her filet, red juices dripping onto her plate. She cut again until she had a small piece then slid it to pick up some of the garlic mashed potatoes. Right into her mouth it went as she repeated the procedure again and again like a starving man. He loved that she wasn’t one of those women who was afraid to eat in front of a guy. She wasn’t afraid of much. Although Moreno scared the crap out of her. But who could blame her?
They chatted casually on a variety of topics throughout the meal and when she was finished he cocked his head in the direction of the dance floor. “I think I need to work off some of that meal. Care to join me?”
The impish smile returned. “I haven’t had dessert yet, muffin. It’s my birthday and I don’t even get dessert?”
“How do you have room for everything you eat?” he teased then picked up her hand. “I promise I’ll get you dessert. I need a little time to make some room though. Come on.”
She didn’t argue as he pulled her into his arms on the dance floor. She was perfect, they were perfect, like two pieces of a puzzle interlocking together. He stepped to the beat, and she followed his lead flawlessly.
“You’ve done this before, I take it.”
Gliding across the floor with him, she nodded. “I have three brothers who wanted to impress girlfriends. Liz and I were elected to make sure they didn’t look like fools. Where did you learn to dance this well? Older sister?”
“No, some of the guys I was stationed with actually. They said only the good dancers got partners at the USO functions. None of us wanted to be sitting alone on the sidelines so we paid attention to the guys who knew. No repeating this to anyone though.”
“Ooh, blackmail information.”
