Chapter 15
Perfect
Callie deserved a raise. Kate stared into the mirror, her heart fluttering with anticipation and trepidation as she appraised her outfit.
The turquoise blue dress draped elegantly over her, while the lavender flowers accentuated her sun-kissed skin in a way that made her radiant.
A soft scoop neck framed her collarbone, striking a delicate balance between allure and modesty.
As she moved, the fabric flowed with her, the gentle swish of the hem making her feel almost like she was gliding. And pockets—real, functional pockets! She couldn’t help but twirl, her spirit lifting as the skirt danced around her.
Should she put her hair up or leave it down? Men preferred long hair, didn’t they? She bit her lip, uncertain, then shook her head slightly, a determined grin appearing. Down it was. She felt chic and bold, ready for whatever the evening held in store.
Diving into her jewelry case, she glided her fingers over the few pieces until she settled on a simple silver choker and dangle earrings that caught the light. A final search led her to wedge sandals that promised both style and comfort, giving her confidence a boost.
She floated down the stairs to the kitchen. The earthy aroma of baking potatoes enveloped her senses. She peeked in the oven—almost done. The roasting squash was caramelizing beautifully, edges crisping to perfection. Butter, sour cream, grated cheese, and chives sat nearby.
A knock echoed in the silence. Her breath caught. With each step toward the connecting doors, anticipation grew and butterflies swarmed. She inhaled deeply to calm herself, lifted her chin and forced a smile onto her face, desperate to conceal her jittery nerves.
Taking one last deep breath, she grasped the cool handle and slid open the door.
Her eyes drifted over Nick, and her heart stuttered.
He wore light linen pants that hung just right and a cotton V-neck that clung to his body, highlighting the defined planes beneath. How was it possible for someone who spent all day at a desk to have a physique like his?
Lust flooded her, mingling with trepidation. She struggled to find her voice. Could he see the turmoil swirling within her?
He held a bottle of red wine in one hand; the other cradled a plate of two impeccably marbled steaks. The silence stretched between them as his eyes roamed over her, thick and charged, amplifying her growing desire.
When his blazing eyes belatedly found hers, confidence blazed through her, and a smile broke free, spreading across her face as she stepped back and waved a hand in welcome.
“Hi. You are right on time!” Kate blurted, pulse racing.
“You look amazing.” Nick stared, eyes taking in every detail. Warmth flooded her veins from the surge of pride at his compliment. Callie was so getting a raise.
She giggled, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips. “Thank you. All credit goes to my assistant. She repacked my suitcase behind my back with a bunch of clothes she purchased without me knowing. I’ll have to tell you that story later.”
“Come on in—I just need to finish up the veggies. Let’s open the wine while we wrap up dinner prep.” She spun, movements fluid and purposeful as she crossed into the kitchen, excitement bubbling within her as Nick followed.
“I lit the grill, so it should be ready for the steaks in another minute or two,” Nick said, placing the plate on the counter. “How’s our timing?”
“Perfect, I think.” Kate couldn’t help but smile. “The squash will finish in the time it takes to cook those steaks. I love filet mignon, and those look excellent.” The anticipation of the evening had butterflies soaring. Or was that a Nick effect?
“They better be—Marguerite stole them from the hotel kitchen.” Nick’s voice held a playful lilt as he reached into the drawer for a bottle opener. With a swift, practiced twist, he popped the cork free, releasing a burst of rich aroma while Kate pulled down two wineglasses.
“How would you like yours cooked?” he asked, his emerald eyes turning toward her.
“Medium-rare for me, please.” Kate checked the stove. The mushrooms were sautéing over low heat. “I hope you like mushrooms—I thought they would go well with our steak.” A hint of nervousness crept in.
“Love them. Actually, I love most any food as long as someone else prepares it.” His easy smile comforted her. “The grill should be ready, so I’ll go put these on now.” Nick scooped up the plate. “Be right back!” he called, his voice trailing off.
The kitchen was too quiet after Nick slipped out. Kate busied herself with the vegetables, hoping the familiarity of cooking would steady her first date nerves. She blew out a relieved breath, the initial awkwardness melting away. They’d found their rhythm, the first tiny victory of the night.
She pulled the squash from the oven, golden-brown, bright and enticing. Her fingers trembled as she reached for salt, added pepper, then poured on the magic ingredient: maple syrup. With practiced ease, she tossed it using tongs, until the syrup glistened and coated every piece.
She stood on tiptoes to reach a serving bowl in the top cabinet when a rush of air announced Nick’s return.
“Let me.” He murmured, pinning her lightly to the counter, heat radiating from his body as he pressed against her to retrieve the bowl. Their date had barely started, and she was ready to combust.
“Anything else you need?” His breath ghosted over her neck, sending shivers down her spine.
“No.” Kate’s answer came out breathless. “Everything else is out.”
When Nick stepped back, a wave of relief mingled with loss. She could breathe again, though she didn’t quite catch what he muttered. Had he said, that’s too bad?
She dragged in a ragged breath, steadying her racing heart, and pivoted on her heel with a determined smile. “So, what do you think? Eat inside or out on the pergola?”
“The pergola. It’s beautiful out.” He glanced at his watch. “Time to flip the steaks. Be right back.”
As soon as he left, Kate rushed to gather plates and silverware, eager to finish setting the table.
The pergola stretched out from the suite, creating a cozy corner between the living room and office—a hidden retreat. The thick wooden beams overhead offered a comforting barrier of privacy from the main house.
The night unfolded around her, heavy with deep blues and purples, as emerging stars twinkled like ancient diamonds scattered across the sky. Cool night air filled her lungs with the intoxicating scent of fresh-cut grass and blooming flowers. A sense of quiet wonder coursed through her. Magical.
Nick headed out, fire-starter gripped in his hand.
“I’ll light the torches to fend off any mosquitoes or midges that might be hungry for a bite,” he said, glancing her way with a mischievous glint that made her heart flutter.
His gaze lingered, and her cheeks warmed when a brash leer slid across his features.
“I’m the only one who gets to take a bite out of you,” he declared in a ludicrous Dracula accent, eyebrows wiggling in exaggerated mischief.
A laugh bubbled up at his silly banter. “Vampires in Florida?” She shook her head in mock regret. “I guess I should’ve thought to add garlic to the squash!”
Nick chuckled, warm and infectious. He sauntered back toward the grill with a casual, “The steak should be ready.”
The rich aroma of roasted squash enveloped her as she entered the kitchen. She scooped the tender pieces into a serving bowl, the vibrant orange brilliant against the ceramic.
The earthy scent of sautéed mushrooms drifted up as she dished them into another bowl. She moved to the oven and pulled out the potatoes, their skins crisp and golden. Everything was coming together.
Outside, she heard the clink of a plate as Nick set the steaks on the table before joining her.
“What can I do?”
“How about taking this food out? I’ll grab the fixings for the potatoes, and we’ll be ready.”
Nick took the serving bowls and potatoes out, and Kate gathered the toppings and wine glasses. They made their way to the table together, a comfortable rhythm developing between them.
As he held her chair, warmth spread across her cheeks—a simple act, yet it sent shivers down her spine. When was the last time someone had treated her with such thoughtfulness? She couldn’t remember any date holding her chair, or even a door, for her.
Each bite they shared sparked laughter, and Kate’s heart raced every time their eyes met. Conversation flowed effortlessly, jumping from favorite travel stories to the best books they’d read and the most embarrassing moments they could remember.
At one point, he leaned closer, grinning. “You’re telling me you actually climbed out a window to avoid a bad date? I thought that was just a meme.”
She laughed, warmth flooding her cheeks. “It was that or pretend to be sick. The window felt more honest.” She pointed her fork at him. “That is why you always meet at the restaurant for a first date. He had no idea where I lived.”
It was intoxicating, this blend of camaraderie and joy, making the meal not simply dinner, but an experience she never wanted to end.
With a contented sigh, Kate leaned back in her chair and placed her fork on the empty plate. The rich, juicy flavor of the steak still lingered on her tongue. The golden glow of tiki torches illuminated Nick’s face and cast dancing shadows on the wooden deck.
“The steak was fabulous. How did you learn to grill so well? It was cooked perfectly,” she said, genuine admiration lacing her voice.
Nick laughed, leaning back in his chair as he picked up his wineglass, swirling the deep red liquid with casual ease.
“Self-defense. When we first started up, we traveled a lot. Without Marguerite to feed us, we had to learn fast if we wanted a decent meal.” He shrugged as if it were no big deal.