“I won’t tell him, but I’d be surprised if he doesn’t already know. Austin sent someone to retrieve your car while you were finishing things up with Charlotte. He wanted to make your life easier after you’d ridden in the ambulance to monitor his wife and child. I know I’ve mentioned this already, but it bears repeating. The Adlers are very protective of our family members. Austin was mortified when a member of his security detail sent pictures of your car.”
Israel wasn’t enjoying this conversation. The bright red blush of embarrassment spreading over her cheeks wasn’t how he’d intended to start dinner, but on the plus side, she was distracted from her earlier concerns.
“How were they going to bring the car without… oh, wait. I gave you the keys to get my bag, and you didn’t have a chance to return them. Geez, I completely forgot to ask for the keys.”
“Don’t look so shocked, sweetness. I’m damned happy you’ve been too distracted to think about car keys because that means I’m doing something right.”
“You’re doing too much right, that’s the problem.” The words were barely audible, but he hadn’t missed them.
“Your car has been secured at one of Bronx’s dealerships. Don’t worry about having something to drive. Bronx likes you. I can’t imagine what sort of sassy car he finds to replace the one he claims was offensive on every level, including various safety issues.”
“Oh, dear Goddess. I can’t afford a better car. I have another appointment with the architect. He’s already asking for more money and hasn’t made any of the changes I’ve asked for. Frickadilly circus, I should have listened to Cam and CeCe. They recommended a firm, but it was out of my price range.”
Israel suspected it would have been cheaper for her if she’d hired the more expensive architectural firm. The one she was using underbid and now felt he could hold her hostage by milking every change and charging a huge fee to finish things up.
“The wonderful thing about hindsight, it’s twenty-twenty. I’d like for you to talk to Asia about this, Beautiful.”
“I don’t want to take advantage of your sister, Israel. It would be unfair of me to weasel professional services from her because we are… well, we’re…”
“Be very careful how you describe our relationship, my brilliant and beautiful mate.” Their waiter’s arrival with their dinner was fortunate for Bristol. The young man probably saved her a long session over Israel’s knee. He’d have given her a few stinging swats now and finished the punishment at the club, but the interruption gave her time to consider her answer and its consequences.
The smile of thanks she gave the other man sent a pang of jealousy racing through Israel’s blood before he pulled himself back from the emotion to watch the interaction with an open mind.
“It’s nice to see you, Marco. I didn’t know you’d taken a second job. How are things with your family? Anything I need to know about?”
“Dr. Banks, it’s nice to see you. My family is wonderful, and the twins are growing like weeds. Tuition went up a lot this year, so I’m trying to make up the difference by working here in the evening, but I miss seeing my wife and daughters. I still have several semesters left before I can start my internship, so I need to build up a bit of cushion since my application for assistance with…” The man’s nervous glance in Israel’s direction spoke volumes.
Decisions on Adler education grant applications had been put on hold recently due to the overwhelming changes taking place within the family. Seeing firsthand how those delays were affecting real people made Israel determined to set the process in motion again on Monday.
“Marco, I want you to call my office first thing Monday morning.” Handing the man one of his business cards, Israel gave him a warm smile. “My assistant, Geneva, will be waiting to help you through whatever obstacles you’ve encountered.”
“Thank you, Mr. Adler.” His expression changed from stunned disbelief to gratitude before his eyes became glassy with unshed tears. “Thank you so much.” Backing away, excitement vibrating all around him, he nearly tripped over his own feet in his haste. “Enjoy your meal. Please press the button on the table when you’re ready for dessert—or if you need anything… anything at all.” When he was gone, Bristol turned to him, her expression completely different from anything he’d seen before.
“Thank you. That was very kind. He’s very deserving and will be a wonderful physician’s assistant. They’d only been married a few weeks when they found out they had twins on the way. His lovely wife was a registered nurse, working in one of the city’s larger trauma units, but she had to quit early in her pregnancy. Her job is difficult under normal circumstances, but it was impossible for her to keep up with the physical demands when her body was busy building two tiny humans.”
Israel leaned his head back and laughed. He’d had a laundry list of things he wanted to try during dinner, and so far, they hadn’t hit a single target. Shaking his head, the irony was more than he could wrap his head around.
“You are full of surprises, Bristol. I had all these kinky things planned, and all my meticulous preparations have been blown out of the water because my date is one of the kindest women I’ve ever met.” The pink tinge of embarrassment, painting her cheeks spoke to her humility, another trait he admired.
“I’m a physician, I’m supposed to be kind.”
“You are expected to be professional and compassionate, but I think kindness is something much more basic. Being kind to your fellow human beings isn’t always an innate trait, and when you meet someone who is good all the way to the depths of their soul, you’ve found something extraordinary, indeed.”
“Thank you, I’m not sure I’ve ever received a compliment I appreciated more.”
The next few minutes were spent enjoying their steaks. The small restaurant might be best known for kink, but the food was spectacular as well. Beef so tender it melted in your mouth paired with twice-baked potatoes wouldn’t weigh them down for what he had planned at the club.
“Before we finish our dinner, I want to give you a little taste of what I had planned.” Her hand froze midway between her plate and her luscious lips. Perfect. He had her full attention, and that was exactly what he’d intended. Nodding to her fork, he watched her move it slowly to her mouth, lips parting in anticipation, breath catching with barely banked desire.
“Open those pretty thighs for me, Beautiful, I want to play a bit while you finish eating.” Seeing her eyes dilate made his cock jerk against his zipper. The damned thing seemed to have grown a mind of its own since he’d found his mate. Inhaling a deep breath, Israel’s senses were bombarded with her scent.
“Fuck me, baby, you are so perfect, I can barely believe my good fortune. I’m not sure what I could have possibly done to deserve you, but I’m not going to question fate’s gift.” Taking her hand in his, Israel move it back to her plate. “Finish your dinner, sweetness—you’re going to need it. You’ll be burning up a lot of calories later, and I want to make certain you’re properly energized.” There was a wealth of meaning in what he said—let her make of it what she would.