“Your place?” she asked.
“Figure of speech.” He’d slipped and said that before to others and no one had called him out on it but her. He’d haveto watch it, as she was a lot more intelligent and fast on her feet than the type he normally spent time with.
He tried to ask himself why that was—that he went out with women who had more in common with aBaywatchbabe—and realized it was because he never wanted anyone to guess how smart he was. He figured if he kept to one-night stands and ditzes, there was less of a risk of that happening.
But dating women like that is how he ended up a single father.
And though he wouldn’t trade it for anything, he was ready to maybe not be so single anymore.
They were seated, menus in front of them. “I should have asked what you like to eat, but you’ve had more pub food at my place so I figured you could get that here too if you want.”
“I’m not fussy about food. And anyone I work with will second that with the things I put together.”
“The Brussels sprouts cookies?”
“I thought they tasted fine. I’m going to get the grilled salmon. And not sure why I have to announce what I’m getting. I’m nervous and shouldn’t be.
“No need to be nervous,” he said. “I won’t do anything to make you want to crawl out the bathroom window.”
“Thank God because I’m not sure I could in this dress though it’s stretchy enough.”
He tried not to think of that. Or her body under it.
But he was a man and one who hadn’t been with a woman in a long time.
Who the hell had the time?
They placed their orders and just chatted.
“Have you had any other interesting food combinations lately?”
“Nah,” she said waving her hand. “Just been testing products for shelf life. I don’t need to go into that when we are about to eat.”
He shook his head. “Nope. Trust me, everything is fresh at Pulse. Marcus would have it no other way.”
“You talk like you’re scared of him.”
He laughed, then winked. “Not likely.”
His burger and her salad were brought out fifteen minutes later. As much as he wished it was slower, he knew she had to return to work. Then he’d get his son.
She put her napkin on her lap, picked her fork up and sliced it through the teriyaki salmon, then popped it in her mouth.
Her eyes closed, she hummed low in her throat and he felt his dick stir in his pants. “This is wonderful. Here,” she said, moving her plate over. “I know you want to try it. I can see it in your eyes.”
“It’s not the only thing I want to try,” he said before he could stop the words he used to say to women years ago slipping out.
Her face flushed, but she only smiled back. He might have been pushing it saying that but wouldn’t regret it either.
Especially when the check came, and her eyes were all relaxed. She’d had a good time, he could see.
He’d had a better time than he normally did on a date.
Then he tried to remember the last time he actually brought a woman on a date and realized it was too depressing a thought.
When they left and were in the parking lot, he was damn well going to get his mouth on hers, even if it was only a peck.
He was having a hard time feeling her out. There was something about her the last two times they’d been together that gave off mixed signals.
