Cate’s frown deepened. “Now, wait a minute. I didn’t say I didn’t want the bowl of spaghetti, just that I wanted to see a menu before ordering.”
“Too late. Now, I have my heart and stomach primed for massive amounts of carbs and meat sauce.” He grinned.
Cate liked that they could tease each other over what to order at a restaurant. That was one of the reasons she’d fallen so quickly for the man. He made ordering food fun, even when he went all macho and ordered for her. At that moment, she wished they could pick up where they’d left off before he’d moved to Texas.
She missed how easy it had been to be with him. He hadn’t crowded her or pushed her into a physical relationship before she’d been ready. Hell, she’d had to seduce him their first time.
Her body flushed with heat at the memory.
However, as quickly as the heat washed over her, it cooled at the loneliness she’d experienced when he’d left.
She’d missed him. Terribly.
A hand reached for hers and curled around her fingers. “Hey. We’re going to find him. Your friend is going to be okay.”
Cate nodded. “Damn right. I don’t give up easily.”
“And I’m here for you,” he said. “We’ll see it through.”
If only. But for how long?
The waiter came with their drinks. Before he could leave, Draco asked Cate, “Is there something different you’d like?”
She sighed. “No. Spaghetti sounds perfect.” And having Draco hold her hand and tell her everything would be all right made it even better. Her favorite food arrived in a steamy bowl full of flavor, and her favorite man was sitting across the table. Why not give in to the moment?
They ate, reminiscing over the Italian restaurant they’d frequented in Virginia so often the owners had known them by name and had always served them “their usual.” Which happened to be spaghetti bolognese. They’d considered Draco and Cate extensions of their family and had invited them to familial celebrations.
When their bowls were empty, and they’d drained the last drops of their drinks, Cate sighed. She’d file the evening away in her good memories and bring it out whenever she was sad and needed a lift in her mood. Though she didn’t want the night to end, they couldn’t stay at the restaurant forever.
Draco paid the bill and lifted the satchel. Cate rose from her chair and fell in step with him.
He reached out with his free hand.
She laid her fingers across his palm. When he curled his fingers around hers, warmth spread from her hand throughout her body.
Oh, girl. You’re falling for him all over again.
The truth was she’d never gotten over him.
As they neared the hotel, her pulse quickened. Once again, they would be alone in the small room.
Tonight, she didn’t want him sleeping on the floor.
She wanted him in the bed with her.
Heat coiled low in her belly, and her breathing grew a little unsteady.
Draco followed her up the stairs and checked the room before allowing her to enter.
Once inside, she drew in a deep breath and turned, ready to ask him to share her bed.
She drew in a breath, opened her mouth...
A knock sounded at the door.
All the air left Cate’s lungs, and her pulse jumped.
Draco frowned and spun to face the door, waving her to the side, out of range of the doorway.
