“Well, hello,” he greeted her. “You look…gorgeous!”
Kristine laughed. Even if he didn’t mean a word of it, she was thrilled to receive a positive review. Boy, did she need a compliment! Fortunately, he seemed sincere.
“You’re not too shabby either,” she said, smiling.
He swooped in, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and extended his elbow as if he were escorting her to a fancy function, not just taking her on a…possible date. Probable date.Oh hell. Just call it a date and be done with it, Kristine.
“I didn’t know the name of the place, but I did some reconnaissance and made reservations.”
“I’m sorry. I should have given you the name.”
“No apologies necessary. I didn’t have any particular plans, and walking around aimlessly is one of my favorite things to do.”
She laughed again. “Aimlessly, huh?”
“Sure. You know. Go where the mood takes you.” He held the door for her. “Sometimes I find awesome things I’d never have discovered if I’d stuck to a plan.”
“I think that’s called serendipity.” She passed him and entered the restaurant.
“Good to know. I’ve been calling it dumb luck.” Leaning close to her, he whispered, “Maybe meeting you was a kind of serendipity.”
His velvety voice and warm breath on her ear created an instant sensation she hadn’t felt in a long time—damp panties.Whoa. She almost groaned as she remembered she had worn her satin granny panties. She figured it could be a joke if he ever got that far; meanwhile she’d be in no danger of showing panty lines in her figure-hugging dress.
He escorted her to the hostess and gave his name. She wondered how he had gotten such an unusual name and filed the question away to ask in case their conversation stalled. Somehow she doubted it would.
When they were shown to their seats, he pulled out the chair for her, and when she was seated, he helped push her in. Kristine wondered where that totally unnecessary action had come from. In olden times, had furniture been so heavy and females so frail that it took a gentleman to be sure they made it to the table?
Regardless of the stupidity of some customs, his good manners were greatly appreciated. At work, Kristine wasn’t exactly treated like “one of the guys,” but they had no problem using the most vile profanity in front of her or letting a door slam instead of holding it for her. It was nice to be treated respectfully, like a classy woman, for a change.
Jayce leaned forward. “You really do look beautiful tonight.”
She felt a blush warm her cheeks, but it wasn’t due to the dragon within. She was unsure how to answer multiple compliments. “Thank you” seemed like the right response, but it could become redundant around a guy like Jayce.
“I used to work here after school a few years ago,” she said to change the subject. “The place has classed itself up, but the menu is about the same. Do you know what you want, or should I make a few recommendations?”
* * *
Jayce knew what he wanted, all right, but it wasn’t on the menu. At least not the menu in his hands. He closed the long tablet. “Why don’t you order for both of us?”
“Are you sure? I mean, what if you don’t like something in it or if it’s too spicy?”
“Don’t worry about it. I love anything hot and spicy.” He winked at her and then almost groaned aloud.Try not to be too obvious, Fierro. He cleared his throat and added, “If it doesn’t walk off my plate, I’ll eat it, and I’m sure I’ll like it.”
She chuckled. “And if it does walk off your plate?”
“I’ll take a video and post it on Facebook.”
She laughed aloud. He really did love that throaty sound and the way her smile almost split her face. Even at rest, her sensuous mouth was wide and her full lips were…kissable.Verykissable.
A waiter appeared, and Kristine ordered a bottle of wine as well as their dinners. She’d picked choices with three chili peppers next to them on the menu. He quirked a half smile. If she was testing his honesty, she was about to find out how much a firebird loved its food hot. Fortunately she could stand the heat too, or she wouldn’t have ordered it.
Another waiter appeared with a pitcher of ice water and filled their glasses. They smiled at each other, as if both were wondering who would reach for the water first during dinner.
Jayce wasn’t as competitive as some of his brothers. Maybe because as the biggest, he was assumed to be the best. Ryan was especially competitive, but that may have been due to their messed-up family dynamics.
Ryan was actually the oldest—until he’d met with a near-fatal accident at the age of seven. Jayce had been only five, but after witnessing the family secret in action that day, the image was burned into his brain. Literally. Mommy and Daddy quickly explained what was going to happen and dumped lighter fluid on his big brother—then lit him up. Ryan didn’t yell or scream. He just sort of went to sleep, and they watched until there was nothing but a pile of ash left. Then the ashes stirred…and the brilliant phoenix arose.
Jayce startled himself out of his reverie. Hopefully Kristine didn’t notice that he’d gone elsewhere for a few moments.
