Reaching across the table, he took her hand in his. “It is now.”
Her smile was endearing and he quickly kissed her hand before releasing it so they could look at their menus.
“Everything on here sounds wonderful,” she said softly. “What do you recommend?”
“Their seafood bisque is the best I’ve ever eaten, so I would definitely suggest starting with it. For an entrée, the scallops are amazing, but if you’re someone who enjoys steak, then I definitely suggest the filet Oscar.”
“My mother always tells me it’s not ladylike to order steak when I’m out on a date, but that does sound really good.”
He couldn’t help but grin. “She also doesn’t appreciate how amazing you are so clearly you don’t need to listen to her advice. Get the steak,” he said conspiratorially. “I guarantee you’ll love it.”
Her smile grew. “You convinced me. Now what about you? What looks good to you?”
“Sweetheart, that is a loaded question.”
Her soft gasp was followed by the blush that he realized was there more than it wasn’t and it really did please him to know his words affected her the way they did.
“But if we’re talking about dinner, then I’m going to start with the bisque and then get the ribeye for the entrée.”
Just then their waitress came over for their orders and as soon as she was gone, Leanna asked him about the problem with his contractor that kept him away that Sunday. He didn’t mind talking about it since everything was taken care of now, but he realized she was genuinely interested in what he was talking about. She asked questions about what it was that he did and where he saw himself in five years. And the best part was he knew there was nothing coy about her questions. She wasn’t asking because she was scheming to find a way to attach herself to him or his family’s wealth–something that happened more times than not–and it was beyond refreshing.
Everything about Leanna was.
Conversation flowed and before he knew it, they were done with their meals and looking at the dessert menu.
“Don’t tell me,” she said playfully. “You’re going to ask if they have some fresh fruit rather than order the cheesecake or key lime pie.”
“For your information, I was going to indulge in the apple pie but skip the à la mode.”
She arched a brow at him. “There’s still fruit in there.”
“You say it like it’s a bad thing.”
With a shrug, she put the menu down. “Some fresh fruit on top of the cheesecake or perhaps on the side is completely acceptable, but I still prefer my dessert to be sweet and decadent.”
So many images came to mind of just how sweet she had tasted and how decadent she was and how much he wanted to experience that all over again.
But not tonight.
Tonight was about regaining her trust and seeing if he had just imagined how enjoyable their time together had been.
And so far, he hadn’t.
If anything, tonight was even more enjoyable because it was quiet and intimate with no interruptions and no circus atmosphere like they’d dealt with for the engagement party.
They ordered dessert, talked about where Leanna would love to buy a house, and how she’d love to go to Paris for a week just to enjoy the food. By the time they were back in the car, Brody felt lighter than he had in weeks.
Perhaps months.
Maybe years.
He told her about his own trip to Paris the previous year and all of the places he dined and gave her recommendation just in case she decided to really go. When he pulled up to her apartment complex, he hated the thought of the night being over. They had been gone for hours and yet it felt like hardly any time had passed.
But it was getting late and he knew she always got up early just like he did and was probably tired.
Which he wasn’t.
He walked her to her door. It felt very comfortable–familiar. And he couldn’t wait to kiss her.
“I had a really great time tonight, Brody. I’m glad we did this.”
“Me too,” he admitted gruffly. “And I hope we can do it again soon.”
She bit her bottom lip as she slowly met his gaze. “I’d like that.”
Glad that they had gotten that out of the way, he slowly moved in close, wrapping his arm around her waist. He didn’t want to move too fast, but he couldn’t wait another minute to taste her.
The second his lips touched hers, he was lost.
This was what he had been missing.
Craving.
And by the way Leanna was responding, she felt the same need that he did.
So compatible…
His arms banded around her waist as hers reached up to wrap around his shoulders. The little black dress had been driving him crazy all night and now that he was finally touching her, tasting her, it was a little like unleashing the beast. His tongue plundered, his hands roamed and squeezed her curves and if he wasn’t careful, he was going to take her right here against her front door.
That thought stopped him cold.
Slowly, he tamed the kiss before breaking it and resting his forehead against hers. Leanna’s eyes were closed, her lips were wet, and she was breathless.
She was his every fantasy.
Unable to help himself, he placed a soft kiss on the tip of her nose. “You are one extremely tempting woman, Leanna Baker,” he whispered.
Her eyes opened and she smiled up at him. “Is that right?”
Nodding, his hands flexed at her waist. “Definitely.” Asking her to invite him in was on the tip of his tongue, but he refused to ask. Not yet. Tonight was perfect exactly as it was and as much as he wanted to be greedy, he respected her enough to wait. Letting out a long breath, he said, “It’s late and I know you have to get up early, and…”
“Brody?”
“Hmm?”
Her hands slid off his shoulders until they gently gripped his lapels. “Come inside,” she said huskily and for a second, he was sure he was dreaming.
“Um…what?”
She nodded. “You don’t have to leave. Not if you don’t want to.”
Not want to? Was she crazy? Did she have any idea how much he wanted her?
Swallowing hard, he held her gaze. “I don’t want to go, but I also don’t want you to feel like you have to invite me in. That wasn’t what tonight was about. I want you to know that.”
“I do. I really do. But…” She nibbled on her bottom lip in a way that told him she was nervous. “But I’d really like for you to stay.” She paused. “For the entire night.”
It would be wrong to haul her over his shoulder and kick the door down, right? His control was barely hanging on by a thread.
Moving back in close until they were pressed together from head to toe, he smiled against her lips. “Unlock the door, Lea.”
With a knowing smile, she turned in his arms until her bottom was fitted snugly against his growing erection and he groaned hotly into her ear. As soon as she opened the door, Brody scooped her up in his arms and stepped inside.
Not quite in the caveman fashion he had envisioned just moments ago, but in a way that definitely proved his point in how much he wanted her.
As if either of them needed the reminder.
But just in case she did, he kicked the door closed and stopped only long enough to lock it before making a beeline to her bedroom.