Chapter Twenty-Two
Riley
The drive took longer than usual because there was a lot of traffic. I was starting to get anxious; I wanted to wash my hair and style it, but now it looked like I’d have to cut corners.
I’d kept my fingers crossed the whole way that my roommates wouldn’t be home because they were for sure going to pounce on Duncan while he waited. But then I groaned when I stepped inside the house. Both of them were here.
"Hey, Riley," Julia said, and then her eyes widened. "Duncan."
"He's going to wait for me while I get ready."
I pinned Julia with my gaze, trying to communicate silently that she had to behave. I wasn't sure if I'd succeeded, though. There was no way I could pull her and Christine to the side and warn them without Duncan overhearing, so I had to hope for the best. I knew I should have texted them.
"Don't worry, we'll keep you company," Christine said.
Hell, this was going to be a bloodbath, but still, I had full confidence that Duncan could hold his own.
I hurried into the shower. I usually liked to take my time—I was like a frog in the water—but right now I washed my hair at top speed and decided to forgo the conditioner because I was supposed to leave it in for five minutes, and I absolutely did not have the time.
However, I regretted it the second I started to comb my hair.
It had so many knots that I lost as much time detangling them as I would have if I’d simply let the conditioner do its work.
Then the hardest part came. I’d spent half the day thinking about which outfit to wear tonight. I’d decided on wearing a white-and-pink dress and white sandals, but now of course I thought that was a completely silly idea. I needed something to make a statement.
I took out a red dress that I hadn't worn in forever.
I'd bought it once at a sale, figuring that eventually I'd have a reason to wear it.
Tonight was definitely that reason. I paired it with black sandals that had straps.
They looked 100 percent sexy. The dress had a heart-shaped décolletage and fit snugly on my body.
I accessorized it with half-moon earrings and a matching necklace, then sprayed on my favorite perfume, Hugo Boss Seduction, before heading out of the room.
"So, Duncan, you want to do shots?” Julia asked.
I closed my eyes. Oh, Julia. Way to scare him away and think we're a bunch of sorority girls or something.
"I'm driving, so no drinks, but thank you," Duncan replied smoothly.
I stepped inside the living room, loudly announcing, "I'm ready. Let's go."
Julia and Christine both stared at me. "Okay, this is the fastest you've ever gotten ready for a date.” Christine grinned at Duncan. “I think that's a good sign, Duncan. Means she couldn't wait to go out."
"Or," Julia said, "she couldn't wait to get him away from us."
I pointed at each of them in turn. "You're both right." Then I looked at Duncan. "Ready to go?"
He didn't reply, just lowered his gaze slowly, then glanced back up.
Holy shit. I felt tingles all over my body.
"Let's go." His voice was a bit rougher now.
I sent an air-kiss to Julia and Christine. The latter winked at us in a manner that reminded me of Knox.
Duncan put a hand on my back. Usually, he put it at the small of my back, but now he placed his fingers higher, right at the point where the dress ended and my bare back started. I straightened up instantly, as if an electric charge had shot through me.
The second we stepped outside, he said, "You smell amazing. You look amazing."
"Thank you."
He opened the car door for me, and I sat down. He looked away quickly as he closed it.
What was that? Why didn't he want to look at me?
He got in the car and drove away immediately, without even glancing at me.
"Duncan?" I asked.
"Hmm?" That one syllable was loaded.
"Everything okay? Are you upset?" My stomach tightened at the thought. What did I do to make him upset?
"Why would you think that?"
"Because you're not looking at me."
He groaned. "Riley, you’re so damn beautiful tonight that I'm not even sure how I'll get through our date without mauling you. For now, my goal is just to get to us there."
I swallowed hard. Wow, okay. "I hope my roommates didn't drive you too crazy," I said to change the subject. "I heard something about shots when I came out."
He chuckled. "Don't worry. They're young. I get it."
His words didn't quite sit well with me, but I didn't know why. What he was saying was true. And he didn't say it with contempt. But then again, I was young too. The way he said it made it sound like he thought it was a problem—that we were in two separate worlds.
This wasn’t the first time I’d thought as much, that we were at different points in our lives. But I thought we’d moved past that and matched up well.
We arrived at the restaurant twenty minutes later. It was in the Gaslamp Quarter on top of a redbrick building.
"Let’s see what the fuss is about. It's one of the best places in town," he said proudly.
"You've never been here before?"
He shrugged. "Nope, but I've asked around. I wanted to impress you."
I leaned into him. "You've impressed me already. Don't you know that?"
"Doesn't mean I can rest on my laurels." He kissed the side of my head before adding, "Come on, let's get out of the car."
"But don't we have to park?"
"They have valet."
That's when I noticed a guy in a uniform wearing a chapeau walking toward us as we got out of the car.
"Hi, my name is Duncan Sterling. I have a reservation here this evening."
"I’ll park your car, sir, and then I’ll leave the key with our hostess. Just tell her when you need your vehicle, and I’ll have it brought around for you."
"Thank you," Duncan said, then took my hand. "Shall we?"
I nodded. I’d never been to a restaurant that had a valet. To be fair, I'd never been to anything that even looked nearly this fancy.
We took an elevator up to the rooftop. A hostess waited by the doors when they opened.
"Good evening," she greeted us.
"Duncan Sterling. I have a table for two," Duncan said.
"Certainly." She looked down at what I assumed was the reservation list.
"You might find the reservation under Knox Sterling."
She glanced back up at him and smiled. "Oh, you're his brother."
Duncan nodded. "Indeed."
"This way, please."
As we followed her, I glanced around the restaurant. This place was amazing. It looked like a botanical garden with plants everywhere. It felt like we were in a forest, each table somehow hidden in greenery.
When we sat down at our table, I swear I could almost forget there was anyone else around, although I could definitely hear chatter.
Duncan looked at me, smiling. "You like it, huh?"
"I love it." Then I asked, "So, Knox found this place? And you still gave him so much shit this evening?"
"Hey, he had no right to show up like that and pounce on you."
"He didn't pounce. He was just… I don't know. I've never met someone like him."
Duncan groaned. "Anyway, Knox is very much aware of what is in and what isn’t .
He's investing a lot in the restaurant business and also likes to go out to the best places. I’m probably the most knowledgeable Sterling brother in the kid-friendly restaurants, though that's not what I wanted tonight.
" He touched my cheek with the back of his fingers.
"Tonight, I wanted something special just for the two of us. "
I felt my cheeks heat up again. I had no idea why I was blushing so much tonight.
"I've been looking forward to this evening so much,” I said in a breath.
"So have I."
A moment later, the waiter arrived with two menus, then recited the daily specials.
"We can start with drinks,” he finished. “Madam?"
"I will have a mojito," I said.
It was one of the specials. Apparently, they had a secret recipe.
"And I'll have a Buona Sera," Duncan said.
We ordered food as well. I chose the chicken and scallops with hummus, and Duncan went with something similar but with additional harissa sauce. I was impressed with the menu. It was fusion cuisine as far as I could tell, a mix of different oriental foods.
Once the waiter left, Duncan said, "Why do you look so amused?"
"I remembered how smoothly you turned down Christine and said you wouldn’t drink because you're driving. Then again, you’re always smooth.”
He groaned. "Not always. Not when it comes to you."
I bit my lower lip. "Well…"
I stopped because the waiter returned with our drinks. The mojito was red. All right, this definitely looks different than what I’m used to.
Duncan and I clinked glasses, and then I immediately took a sip. I’d suspected that the red color came from some sort of strawberry juice, but it was melon.
"Hey, this is really good."
Duncan nodded. "I've got to give it to Knox. He knows his stuff."
"See, you can tell him that you've been too hard on him."
"Never," Duncan said. "It will only go to his head."
I laughed. "You can't have that, can you?"
"Fuck no. We all rely on one another to keep us grounded."
"How so?" I asked.
He shrugged. "Early on, when we started the business, we realized that a lot of people are going to blow smoke up our asses and inflate our egos. That’s dangerous. You lose sight of who you are and what really matters. We promised one another not to allow that to happen."
"That's very smart," I said. "I like that you and your brothers are a team."
"We really are. Mom and Dad are extremely good at keeping us in line as well."
"So, I’m a bit confused. Your parents are separated, right? Because Jeremy sometimes mentions doing stuff with each of them individually.”
"They’re divorced, but lately they've been getting closer, even before my brother gave them the store. They're almost flirting, which is a bit weird, if I'm honest."
I nodded. "I bet."
"I'm happy for them no matter what they choose to do, but it sometimes feels like I’m the third wheel."
"Do you often go to the store?" I asked.
"Sort of. We’re helping Mom put the finishing touches on her section.
I don’t know if I mentioned, but they each have their own businesses.
They tried to use a construction company, but it didn’t work out.
Initially, she wanted a particular color scheme, then changed her mind. It’s all right, though.”
I was going to melt. Duncan Sterling was the man of my dreams. And quite frankly, until now, I didn't even know I had a type. But maybe I didn’t. Maybe my type was simply Duncan Sterling.
"What are you thinking?" he said. "Your expression changed."
I sighed. "Up until right now, I didn't think I had a type."
"A type?" His voice had a dangerous edge.
"You know, a type of man I’d go out with."
My voice faded because his eyes turned feral.
"You're going on dates with other men while we?—"
"No!" I said. "No, I didn't mean right now. I meant before."
He swallowed hard, cupping my jaw with his hand. Tingles traveled all over my body, alarmed at what he was processing.
"Good," he said. "Because you belong with me."
I licked my lips. "Okay."
Yep, he was a hundred percent my type.
"Tell me about you, Riley."
"What do you want to know?" I asked.
"What's something you love but haven't done in a long time?"
"Oh, that's easy—camping. I love camping."
He stared at me. "You're serious?"
I nodded vigorously.
"What exactly do you like about it?"
"Being surrounded by nature."
"You can do that in a hotel too."
I shook my head. "It's not the same. You're closer to nature when you're in a tent. Don't tell me you don't like it."
"It's not one of my favorite things to do. Jeremy loves it, though. Dad takes him often."
The corners of my mouth twitched. "But you don't?"
"No. If I can get away with not going, then I'll take advantage of it."
"You didn't even like it as a kid?" I asked.
"No. Dad is also a fan of the outdoors, like you. I liked going fishing with him but not spending the night in a tent.” He took a sip of his drink. “So, where do you like going camping?"
"Nearby. I've been to a few of the parks around here. They’re wonderful. Although one of my dreams is to travel outside the US, I've never been."