Chapter Twelve—Delani
Cheers and catcalls sounded from outside the bar, and I giggled when Sonny turned and yelled at everyone to get back to work with faux anger.
He was so affectionate, and right there in his bar where anyone could see us through the glass doors and the large picture window that gave others a view into the party room.
He’d kissed me in front of his staff and early afternoon customers.
That had to mean something, right?
I sure hoped it did.
We spent the next hour partaking in the locally provided feast Sonny had thrown together, and I had to admit he did a superb job.
We even invited my employees over, and his as well, to come in when they had free time to grab a plate and try some themselves.
It was just fantastic. We talked and laughed, and it was just so nice to be with someone without all that fake dating crap.
Sonny stayed next to me, and always seemed to brush his leg against mine, or teasing one of the curls that escaped my ponytail.
It was like he couldn’t stop himself, and I wondered what he would say if I told him I was hooked, too.
The others were joking and talking, and even Jan, my very lovely, very blonde, and very bubbly friend, dropped by to pick up an order she’d placed with me for her parents.
“I could have mailed that for you, Jan,” I told her when she came to say goodbye.
“I know, but I am sending them some other things, I figure I could just send it myself. Hey, come with me to the ladies’ room.”
I didn’t have any time to respond, since she’d grabbed my hand and pulled me away. Laughing, I followed her in, and she closed and locked the door, like she used to when we were younger, and she had a secret to share.
“Well?”
“Well, what?” I asked.
“You are head over heels for this guy, Del! Admit it!” she accused, but all I could do was giggle.
“Tell me about the three dates,” she demanded, and before I knew it, I’d told her about the time I’d spent with Sonny.
“Look, we get along wonderfully, but these aren’t exactly dates,” I said, feeling kind of bummed.
It wasn’t that I needed him to take me out, but I didn’t want to hear Jan speak ill of Sonny. I really cared about the man. A lot. Like a lot a lot.
“Well, great sex can count as a date,” she started, and I shook my head.
“Fine, but lunch certainly does. And dinner at his house did, too. This was date two.”
“Okay,” I conceded.
Sonny and I had spent quite a bit of time alone before we invited the others to come eat.
Yes, I thought, feeling better about it all. This was date number two, and Sonny was doing just fine.
We returned to the party room, and Jan left soon after. There were half a dozen people still sampling the food and drinks, and I went to find Sonny.
“There you are,” he said, nipping my neck playfully and tucking me into his side.
“You ready for the finale?”
I nodded at his question, and he winked, sending my heart pounding. He was just so damn sexy and the idea he was giving me all his attention was leaving me breathless.
“Okay, folks, thank you for coming. This has been a great test run for the big Valentine’s Day Tasting. Now, I have plans to convince my sweet Delani here to have dinner with me and I need you all to beat it, but first DESSERT!” Sonny announced.
I wasn’t sure how to react, but I didn’t have to worry, Sonny turned and caught my hand, and all the momentary panic I’d felt fled in an instant.
He was just that damn good.
I was getting closer to completely and totally losing my heart to him with every single minute I spent in his company.
Buck came in with a carafe of espresso, a bowl of what looked like freshly whipped cream, another of cherries, and a bottle of Whiskey Neat Dark Label.
It definitely piqued my interest since there was also a bowl of some of my own dark chocolate. It had been shaved into flakes, my guess was to sprinkle on the coffee, but next to it was a plate of my signature Decadent Dark truffles.
I was not disappointed.
“Alright, who wants some of the best damn Irish Coffee on the east coast?” Buck asked, and everyone’s hand shot up, including mine.
A few minutes later, I had my drink and a truffle, and I was snuggled on Sonny’s lap, as he insisted on pulling me close when I made the mistake of trying to snag my own seat.
This was better.
In fact, I loved it.
Half an hour later, he left Buck in charge and was buckling my seatbelt for me in that enormous monster SUV of his.
“So, what did you think?”
“What did I think of your sample tasting?” I asked, hesitating a moment.
“Yes, I value your opinion, Baby. Will my idea to use multiple vendors work?”
I turned to face him, my heart in my eyes. He looked so damn good, his hands on the wheel, and his eyes shining with intensity and excitement.
Sonny turned to meet my gaze and the hope I saw there just made me love him more—shit.
Love?
A warm, desperate, hopeful feeling filled me, and I knew it was the right word. Even if it was way too soon for that.
I couldn’t tell him. Not yet. So, I turned my attention to his question, and even more, I had a suggestion as well.
“I think it’s brilliant, but would you mind, I mean, well, I would love a chance to work on the menu with you. Refine it a bit,” I said, waiting to see his reaction.
Some men did not like a woman who offered her opinions when he made plans, especially not when it came to his business.
I bit my lip and held my breath, remembering the countless times Pete had brushed off my comments and suggestions whenever he mentioned work.
What a turd!
Sonny stopped at the corner, putting the vehicle in park. Then he turned and held my face in his hands, crushing his mouth to mine.
His tongue drove into my mouth, and I gave him back as good as I got, burning with need from his unexpected ardor.
“You’d do that for me?” he asked, sounding the exact opposite of angry.
“Of course. I think we can do something really unique here, Sonny.”
I held on to his wrists to keep him right there—of course, the sound of a horn erupted behind us, and we both laughed as he resumed the drive to his house.
This was going to be incredible.