Chapter 19
NINETEEN
Kendall
Who knows Dane here? I’m staring at a tall blonde woman wearing a red dress that hugs every curve of her body. My eyes drag down her long legs and straight to her red sparkling heels.
“Dane, how are you?” The blonde wraps her arms around him and pecks his cheeks.
He steps back away from her. His face looks contorted and confused. “It’s been a while, Shawna. What are you doing here?”
“Just passing through. What are the odds of our running into each other? How have you been?”
Dane interrupts her. “This is Kendall.” He holds me a little tighter around my waist as he pulls me to his side even more. Something is off with him, but I can’t pinpoint what—old friend, girlfriend, someone he dated, one-night stand…
“Nice to meet you.” She holds out her hand to shake. I do it out of courtesy and plaster a fake smile on my face.
“It was great seeing you, but we have a reservation.” Dane turns us and walks back to the hostess, as she holds the door open.
I can’t help but glance over my shoulder to see a scowl on her face. One day, I’ll hear about that story, but right now, I’m good with forgetting all about her and having the best date ever, just like Dane promised.
The hostess leads us to the corner table. I’m not complaining; it’s the best seat on the patio.
He slides the chair out for me to sit, and I do. When he pulls his chair out, he flops into it, elbows on the table, and his hands on his face.
“You good?” I ask, curious to hear about Shawna, but not willing to push the issue.
“Ugh, that was weird as shit.”
I nod, letting him process and decide if he’ll say anything more. I lean forward and touch his forearm, offering him a small measure of comfort.
“She’s an ex-girlfriend from college; our parents know each other. They wanted us to get married, but she wasn’t the one for me. I haven’t seen her in years.”
“No need to say anymore. This is our night, and you promised that this would be the best date ever.” I squeeze his arm. He slips his hands down his face, and our eyes meet.
With a slight smile on my face, I wink at him. Just enough to see his shoulders relax and a breath escape him.
“And it will be.” He reaches down and rubs my arm. Smiling at me, he continues. “We have the best seat in the house, and I have the best, most gorgeous woman sitting across from me. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
I’m melting in my seat. He’s tracing circles with his thumb on my arm, and goosebumps erupt from my arm down to my legs. His smirk is a bit arrogant, and the tilt of his head makes me say, “What?” As heat creeps up my neck to my cheeks, I shake my head at him.
“Nothing. Nothing.” He shakes his head and glances down at my arm.
He’s so observant; his attention sends tingles through my palms. I’m feeling things even more intensely than ever before. With him, it always feels different; his eyes gaze into mine, and I’m done for.
The waitress approaches our table to take our order, which separates us.
With a sigh, we reluctantly release each other.
The menu was full of dishes that piqued my interest, so I opted for the fillet and lobster tail.
My mouth was watering as I placed my order.
Dane orders oysters for an appetizer and the NY strip—medium.
“Thank you for arranging the spa tour. It’s reassuring that I’ve created a relaxing and calm space for clients.”
“You deserve the best. Your grand opening will be the talk of the town. I know it. How’s the planning going?”
“I’m ready. We will be cleaning, adding final touches, and some decorations over the next week or so, but other than that, I think we are ready. Although I’m a bit nervous.”
He leans in and says, “I’ll be there, so you don’t have to be nervous. And my Gram will be there too. She will help you host.” We both laugh; Jane knows almost everyone in town.
“You know, now that you mention your Gram, why didn’t you tell her we were going on a date?”
He massages the back of his neck and then says, “I think she has been trying to set us up for a while now. She’s my everything, and with my recent track record, I didn’t want her hopes up and be disappointed.”
“Ah, okay. I thought you were keeping me a secret, and that brought up a lot of baggage. So thank you for explaining that to me.”
He stands up, walks to me, holds my hand, and lifts me to my feet before kissing me with hungry lips.
“Sweetheart, I don’t want to keep you a secret.
I want everyone to know that you're mine—when the time is right. So far, this date is beyond expectations, and I might be confident in saying this isn’t the last one. ”
I melt in his arms as he says all of this to me. “Yeah, I don’t see this being the only date for us.”
Twirling me around and dipping me, he kisses my neck. “I can’t wait to see where this goes.”
A laugh escapes me. “You’re over the top… but I like it.”
He slides the chair out and gestures for me to sit. “Get used to it. I have more where all this comes from.”
Our dinner comes out, and we eat. With every bite, Dane stares at me. I’m trying my damndest not to moan, but this lobster is too good not to. The wild look in his eyes doesn't go unnoticed.
“There’s still time to change your mind about the hotel room,” he says with one eyebrow arched at me and a sly grin to match his tone.
“Dane, it’s not happening,” I say with as much conviction as I can because I want nothing more than to be wrapped in his arms tonight. But…I need to know that’s not the only reason he is treating me like he worships me.
He groans. “It was worth a shot.”
I’m surprised he doesn’t try to convince me. He’s being playful, but also respectful of my wishes not to. My body sinks further into the chair. Maybe he’s turned over a new leaf, and this is something he wants to pursue for real.
“I’ll give it to you for trying,” I smirk and flutter my eyelashes at him.
“He can’t look at me like that and expect me not to keep trying.”
“Stop it. You’re being dramatic.”
“Me?” He points to himself. “That look was dramatic, and I wouldn’t mind seeing those eyes staring back at me with your feet by your ears.”
I gasp and let out a laugh so loud that the party next to us stares. “Well, maybe one day your dream will come true,” I tease.
“I’m persistent.” I watch him adjust himself. Fanning myself is not an option; I don’t want to send him mixed messages.
“Oh, I know firsthand how persistent you are.” We wouldn’t be here if he weren’t.
“Alright, sweetheart, the ferry will be here soon. Ready to take a walk.”
I never imagined having a date like this with him. Clearly, he is focused only on me. It’s endearing, and my body fills with the warmth of his hand on my lower back as we walk back to the dock.
Once we are on the ferry, the sun is setting, with bursts of orange and hints of pink. He holds me while my hand rests on his thigh, and my head on his shoulder. The ride back went by faster this time around.
Walking to the car, he says. “I can bring you home, or the invitation is still open for a dip in the hot tub.”
I stare at him, contemplating his invitation. “This has been one of the best dates I’ve ever been on.”
“Me too, sweetheart.” He runs his hands through my hair.
“I’ll need a rain check on the hot tub invitation.” I want a bit more time with him before we end up in bed together…or, in this case, in a hot tub together. I would have zero willpower if we were alone, close to each other, naked. Just the thought has me squeezing my legs.
Those caramel eyes flash with desire and care. “Okay, maybe after the next date.”
“Maybe.”