Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Daphne
As I walk into my building, the concierge stops me. “Ms. Placer, you have a couple of deliveries.”
“What?” I approach him, and he hands me an envelope.
“I’ll bring up the packages,” he tells me, noticing the garment bag over my arm.
“Okay.”
I head up to my unit. I’m barely inside when there’s a knock at the door. The concierge stands there with flowers, another garment bag, and a box. I recognize the boutique’s logo and shake my head. My sister couldn’t help herself.
“Thank you,” I say as he steps in and sets everything down on my table.
He leaves, and I go to the flowers. There’s only a card with a heart on it. The roses are long-stemmed and beautiful, but not my favorite. The dress and shoes my sister wanted me to get are in the packages. I’m about to call her and scold her when I remember the card.
I open it and realize what the flowers mean.
I’ll pick you up at six thirty for dinner at seven. I can’t wait to spend time with you.
Dare
I can’t stop the smile and lean over to smell the flowers, thinking of the kiss from last night. I still can’t believe it happened, but I’m glad it did. I never would have had the courage to start anything with him. He’s so handsome and demanding, but also very intimidating.
I take both garment bags to my room and hang them in my closet, then quickly take both girls for a walk. When I get back, I jump in the shower to freshen up after my workout.
Promptly at six-twenty-eight, there’s a knock at my door. The concierge handles packages and other deliveries, but he doesn’t stop people from coming up unless it’s after ten at night. I pick up my small pink clutch and walk to the door. I’ve already locked up the girls.
My hair is down in waves over my shoulders. I’m in a pink floral dress with a deep V-neck, and instead of heels I’m wearing knee-high cowboy boots in a soft natural tan.
When I open the door, Darrell takes my breath away. He’s so sexy. He’s in a gray three-piece suit that looks so good against his tan skin. He must not have shaved this morning because there’s a bit more scruff than last night. He leans in and kisses my cheek.
“You look amazing, little girl. Are you ready?” His gruff voice makes my body react. My nipples pebble behind my bra, and my lower belly pulls.
“Yes,” I sigh as he takes my hand and we walk out.
I lock the door, and when we get down to the parking lot, a white Range Rover is waiting at the curb with a driver. Darrell opens my door and helps me into the back seat before walking around and getting in on the other side.
“Hello, I’m Daphne,” I introduce myself to the driver, knowing he wasn’t just hired for tonight. Something tells me this man is permanent.
“Hello, Ms. Placer. I’m Totten.”
“Call me Daphne.” I correct him, and he smiles at me.
Darrell takes my hand as we pull away. “How was your day off?” He kisses the back of my hand, and my heart clenches. This man is completely focused on me, giving me all his attention.
I look him in the eye, then drop my gaze, nervous.
“I went dress shopping, then to the gym, where I did a couple spin classes.”
“You like to cycle?” he asks me, and I can’t stop the gush of emotions.
“I love mountain biking. My sister and I do it whenever we’re together. I like the feeling of being in the wild but having a hair’s breadth of control over my next move. I’ve tried rock climbing, but biking is so much better.”
“I like biking too. There are several trails around my house. We’ll have to go soon.”
“My sister is coming into town next weekend. We’re going to do Stringer’s Ridge.”
“Sounds like fun. I’ll make sure to have Jethro put it on my schedule.” He invites himself.
“Oh, Darrell, don’t inconvenience yourself. She’s only coming for the weekend so we can make plans for her move. Besides, you don’t want to meet my family yet.” I try to talk him out of it. We are so not there yet.
My sister loves me, and I know she’d never intentionally do anything. But most men are attracted to her instead of me, and it would hurt if Darrell ever did that to me.
“You are never an inconvenience, Daphne.” He kisses my knuckles as the car comes to a stop.
“Wait there, gorgeous,” Darrell says, and I look out the window.
We’re double-parked in front of one of the newest restaurants, a place with an up-and-coming chef I’ve wanted to try since before I moved here.
Darrell opens the door and reaches a hand in for me.
As I slip my hand into his, I feel the tingles along my palm and up my arm that I always feel when he touches me.
I take a deep breath as he helps me out of the car.
He pulls me into his side and closes the door before guiding me to the sidewalk.
We pass people who are obviously waiting and step inside, where the atrium is full too.
People move out of Darrell’s way as if he’s parting the sea, and when we reach the hostess station, I suddenly feel underdressed. Darrell must sense my discomfort because he pulls me in front of him and wraps his arms around me. He doesn’t even give his name to the hostess.
“Mr. Boseman, this way.” The hostess looks at us, and I try to hold my head up as we follow behind her.
She leads us through the restaurant, Darrell close behind me with his hands on my hips in a protective hold.
We enter the kitchen, and she directs us to the chef’s table.
My stomach drops with excitement. I could have never imagined this happening.
To be right here in the thick of the kitchen, watching every dish we’re about to eat being prepared.
I slide into the booth set into the wall overlooking the area. Darrell slides in beside me, and I can’t hide my smile when he looks at me.
“Happy, little girl?” he asks in his deep voice, and I nod my head, words dying on my tongue.
"Hello, Darrell, so glad you finally made it in.” The chef walks up to us and holds out his hand to me.
He’s handsome, with dark hair and dark brown eyes that don’t miss anything. They look deep into your soul. I’ve watched him on television, but in person he’s even more handsome. There’s scruff along his jaw and even a small dimple in his chin.
“I’m Judson, and who are you, beautiful?”
“Watch it, Judson. I don’t care how long I’ve known you, I will end you and find a new chef for this place.”
Judson places his other hand over his heart as he waits for me to take his offered hand. He scoffs, acting overly dramatic. “Is that any way to talk to your oldest friend and money maker?”
“Fuck yeah, when it comes to my woman.”
I decide to stop the interaction. “I’m Daphne. I’m such a huge fan.” I slip my hand in his, and he flips it over. Before leaning down to kiss the back of it, he looks over a Darrell, who is barely staying in his seat.
“Just joking,” Judson says. He straightens and shakes my hand instead. “Darrell didn’t tell me if you have any food allergies.”
“Oh, I don’t have food allergies, just some flowers and certain jewelry.”
“Then I’ll prepare tonight’s special for you. Unless there is something you won’t eat?”
“I’ll try anything you cook. I’m not a huge fan of overly spicy foods, though.”
“Perfect. Tonight we’re showcasing an herb-crusted rack of lamb, with a potato dauphinoise, roasted root vegetables, an arugula salad, and for dessert a decadent chocolate profiterole with delicate vanilla ice cream and chocolate ganache.”
“That sounds amazing.” I practically bounce in my seat. I’m so excited by the menu. All these foods are what he’s known for.
“I’ll start you off with an amuse-bouche of duck and sweet potato cannelloni. I’ll have our sommelier pair your wines with your food.”
“Oh, I don’t drink that much. I’ll take a glass with dinner, but that’s all.”
“Then it’s a good thing he’s good at pairing with our nonalcoholic menu.” Judson turns to Darrell. “Heard you had lunch with Cronus today. Everything good?”
“Always,” Darrell answers, not offering any further information. “I’m going up there in a couple of weeks. You going?”
“Not for a bit,” Judson says, swinging his arms wide. “I have this place to run for you.”
“Okay.”
Judson walks away, and I turn to Darrell. “You own this place too?”
Darrell
I can’t take my eyes off her. She’s breathtaking, and I hate having to share her with the public tonight, but I knew she wanted to come here.
Not only did she have an article on her table, but Titan found she’d been researching the restaurant and trying to get a solo reservation.
The waiting list is more than six months, though. Unless you’re me.
She doesn’t know it, but this table is specifically mine. In order for someone else to book it, I have to give permission. One of the perks of being the major partner.
“Not really. I’m an investor, but that’s all.
You’d call me a silent partner, if anything.
I’ve known Judson since we were in taekwondo as boys.
Then we went to college together. He’s always wanted his own place; I just helped him get there.
” I downplay my influence like I always do.
I don’t want people knowing what I do for my friends and family.
That’s just how I am. I like to help, but I don’t need the notoriety.
“I watched him on that cooking show. He’s so talented.” Her voice carries a sense of awe, but she doesn’t look at him. Just me. So I know that, unlike a lot of the female population, she doesn’t find him attractive. If she does, then she’s more into me.
“He is, been like that since I can remember. He helped Cronus and me put on our freshman fifteen.” I chuckle, and she laughs, her whole face lighting up.
“Tell me what you do. You already know about me.”