Chapter Nineteen
“Thanks for dinner and the movie, Matt. I enjoyed both.”
“I’m glad you did. It’s nice to have a theater room at home, but there’s nothing like going out to watch a movie on the big screen.”
“With the smell of buttered popcorn surrounding you,” Iris added.
“I agree.”
While holding hands, they walked to where he had parked his car. Having her hand enclosed in his was something he liked, and he’d held it during most of the movie. He released her hand now as he opened the car door for her.
“Thanks, Matt.”
“You’re welcome.” He watched how easily she slid onto the seat of his car.
Since she was wearing slacks, he didn’t get a flash of skin tonight.
But he thought she looked good in her navy blue pants and light blue pullover sweater.
The latter had been a brilliant idea, as the theater’s air conditioners were usually cold, although the nighttime temperature the week before Thanksgiving was typically pleasant.
He had booked an early reservation for dinner and the same for the movie.
It was still not quite ten o’clock, and he wasn’t ready for the night with her to end.
When Matt walked to the other side of the car and got in, he smiled over at her before starting the ignition.
“Since we didn’t enjoy dessert during dinner, I know this café that has the best sweet potato pie this time of year.
It’s still early. How about we go by there to enjoy a slice with coffee and tea? ”
She smiled at him. “Sweet potato pie sounds good. I like that idea.”
It didn’t take long to reach the café, and in no time at all, he had her hand in his again as they walked into the establishment to be seated. After giving the waiter their order for two slices with coffee for him and tea for her, Matt sat back in his chair. “When will Garlan come home?”
She smiled, and he was reminded of how he’d felt during the holidays whenever anyone asked when Deena would be coming home from college.
A parent was always happy when their child returned home.
“Tuesday. We’re leaving for the beach house early Wednesday.
Although it will be just the two of us, I want to cook a special Thanksgiving dinner. ”
“What’s on the menu?”
“All his favorites. Turkey, dressing, green beans, potato salad, mac and cheese, and for dessert, instead of potato pie, he prefers apple.”
“Nice menu, and since you’re doing all the cooking, I know it will be delicious.”
“Thanks. What about you?”
“Since they don’t celebrate Thanksgiving in France, I’m sure we won’t be having turkey,” he said, chuckling.
“However, whatever will be on the menu, I’m sure it will be good.
Franco plans to host the anniversary dinner at a restaurant near his home.
I’ve eaten there before, and the food is delicious. ”
“When are you and Deena leaving?”
“We’re flying out Tuesday night and will arrive in Paris on Wednesday before noon. It’s an eleven-hour flight.”
“Wow, that’s long.”
“Yes, but since it’s a direct flight and a red-eye, we’ll sleep at least eight hours.”
“Good thing it’s a short work week.”
He nodded. “With your plans, I assume your office will be closing, or will your staff still have to come in to work a few days?” he asked.
“Yesterday was our last workday. I’m closing the entire office next week, which means we won’t reopen until the Monday after Thanksgiving. I like to give my staff time to spend with their families. What about your office?”
“The same. Most left at noon yesterday, and they won’t return until that Monday as well.”
She nodded. “When will you return from France?”
“The Saturday after Thanksgiving. Deena plans to stay a few days longer to hang out with her godbrother, Marcello Franco. I figured returning that Saturday will give me enough time to recover from jet lag before going to the office on Monday.”
The waiter arrived with their pie, tea and coffee.
When Iris slid a piece into her mouth, her expression was priceless.
It reminded him of the look on her face when he’d given her that first orgasm on Saturday night.
But what he’d given her had been a lot more explosive.
That piece of pie didn’t have her eyes rolling to the back of her head or her releasing one hell of a scream.
“You like it?”
“Matt, this pie is delicious. How did you find this place?”
“The couple who owns it, James and Amy Courel, are friends of my godparents. Years ago, when Megan began designing her fashions, the Courels leased her an empty building they owned next door. And during her free time, Ms. Amy worked with Megan as her assistant to get her fashions out on time.”
He took a sip of his coffee, then added, “A few years ago, when the Courels fell on hard times and were about to be evicted, Marcello purchased the two buildings and the land, and he presented it to them as a gift. That’s the one thing I admire about my godparents.
They never forget people who helped them during their early years. ”
“And now they’re celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary. That’s wonderful.”
“Yes, it is.”
They ate their slices of pie and shared conversation.
Time was ticking away, and he figured they both knew it.
After another refill of his coffee, he looked at his watch.
It was close to eleven. He glanced over at her and caught her staring at him.
He deciphered that look, and every muscle in his body began to throb.
He could tell from the tense set of her jaw that she hadn’t meant for him to detect what he had detected.
“Are you ready for me to take you home now, Iris?”
* * *
Iris drew in a slow, calming breath. She knew, with all that was holy, that she should say yes; she was ready for him to take her home.
So, why didn’t she? Why in the world had she agreed to tonight’s date knowing where it might lead?
She’d discovered last weekend that she and Matt were combustible. So why was she playing with dynamite?
In a way, she had known the moment she had opened the door to him tonight, and he had stood there, leaning in her doorway, looking sexy as hell, that it would come to this.
The man was temptation personified, from the top of his head to the soles of his feet, and all those intimate areas she remembered so well in between.
Like her, he was dressed in slacks and a pullover sweater. Not all men could wear that outfit unless they had the shoulders and well-defined pecs for it. Not to mention a chiseled stomach. Matt had it all, especially in the right departments.
And then there was that Matthew Caulder smile.
No dimples, but he honestly didn’t need them.
It was a smile that had a way of snatching a woman’s breath right out of her lungs.
A smile that made her automatically smile back even when she didn’t want to do so.
A smile that could make a grown woman blush.
“Iris?”
Why did he have to say her name in such a throaty voice that, to her way of thinking, had a breathy catch to it? One that was playing havoc with her senses and her ability to resist him. Releasing a deep breath, she knew she needed to say something, so she did.
“I’m not ready to go home. Can we drive around a bit? Maybe even park somewhere to enjoy the sights?”
“Alright. But you do know we’re too old to go parking at Mulholland Drive Overlook, right?” he asked with a mischievous grin.
She knew that particular place. Located at the top of the mountain it overlooked the entire city of Los Angeles.
She’d never been there to park, but she heard it provided a beautiful view and was fascinating at night.
It was also considered lovers’ lane, where teens would go to make out.
Its reputation preceded itself, and she’d heard about the place while in high school and living in San Clemente.
It was rumored that many babies had been created there.
“Yes, I know that, Matt.”
He nodded and then asked, “Is there a reason we can’t go to my place? It’s not far away.”
Her place was closer, but he was respecting what she’d told him on Sunday. Mainly, her decision not to bring a man home. He wasn’t trying to make her change her mind about that, and she appreciated him for it.
As far as she was concerned, there were a lot of reasons they shouldn’t go to his home. “You know what happened the last time I went to your place,” she finally said.
“Yes, and I have no complaints about anything we did, Iris.”
Neither did she. They had agreed to be an exclusive couple, so why was she fighting all the desire she was feeling? Mainly because no man had ever made her feel this needy and greedy. Sighing, she leaned forward. “Aren’t you afraid Deena might drop by unexpectedly?”
“No. She and Shauna flew to Idaho to spend the weekend with Charm. They won’t return until Monday, the day before we leave for Paris. But even if she were in town, Deena wouldn’t just drop by. She would call first to let me know of her plans to visit.”
He kept staring at her, and she felt her body surrendering to his stare.
The look in his eyes clearly said what he wanted, and a part of her understood because she wanted the same thing.
Not only did she enjoy making love with Matt, but she had discovered there was something soothing about it, as well.
In his arms, her issues and problems seemed to ease away as her mind concentrated on just him.
On them. He could make her feel wild, free and uninhibited.
Matt reached out and took her hand. The heat of his grip and the impact of his smile were seeping fast and furious into her blood. “So, where are we going, Iris?”
Easing her hand from his, she took the last sip of her tea and then met his gaze and said, “Your place.”