Page 8 of Her Captivated Hero

Riya settled on the edge of the tall seat, resting her forearms on the table, and played with the coaster. Gray covered her hands and that was when she noticed she’d started to tear the thing into confetti.

“I thought we established I wasn’t running for the hills? As a matter of fact I culled you from the herd so we could get to know one another better.”

Her lips twitched. “Interesting phrase. Do many of the women you meet like being compared to cows?”

Gray laughed. He had a great laugh.

“I’ve got to admit, that wasn’t my smoothest line. So, are you part of the wedding party?”

“Bridesmaid number forty-seven.”

Gray looked over her shoulder as Rosie came back to the table.

“Here’s your water,” Rosie said with a flourish as she set down two wine glasses. “Do you want me to pour?” She set the green bottle of Italian sparkling spring water along with a bowl of lemon and limes.

“I think I’ll do the honors,” Gray answered.

“Okay, I’ll be back to check on you in a few.”

“We’re definitely getting the V.I.P. treatment.” Riya noted. “Just how bad was the ‘little altercation’?” she asked, using air quotes.

“On a scale of one to ten, it didn’t even make it onto the scale,” Gray said seriously as he filled her glass.

She considered what he said, and immediately decided she needed to read up on Navy SEAL operations.

“What would make it on the scale?” she asked.

“Bridesmaid forty-seven? Sounds like it’s going to be a big wedding.”

“Got it, no more talking about work,” Riya laughed.

“We could talk about yours. What does liaising with TAID entail? What exactly do you do?”

Damn, couldn’t this wait until the second date?

“Riya?” Gray prompted with a lazy smile.

She sighed.

“I’m a scientist. One of my doctorates is in Molecular Virology, and I spend a lot of time in the lab trying to get a handle on arenavirus molecular and cell biology. Maybe we can go back to me describing my bridesmaid dress? Wouldn’t that be more interesting?”

“Mmmm, my choice is lilac colored chiffon or what I can remember from the not so fun part of high school biology? I think I need to call Rosie back and ask for a beer. Then again, I’m not sure I want my brain too foggy with a woman with two doctorates. Please tell me it’s only two,” Gray pleaded with a sinful smile. He then gently pulled yet another coaster out of her hands.

She started to relax. “It’s only two,” she assured him.

“Good. I think if you’d said three I would have started having an inferiority complex.”

“Do you need anything else?” Rosie asked them as she passed by their table.

“I’m good, how about you Riya?”

“I think I’m good, too.”

* * *

“You are definitelya couple of steps up from good.” Gray enjoyed watching a soft blush wash over her face. “So, I’m guessing you can’t really talk about what you’re working on right now since it’s with Miranda, right?”

“Right.”