The gift box included a gold-plated ice pick and she read the inscription. “Oh, wow, they contribute a portion of their sales to an organization that protects the world’s oceans.” She kissed him. “This is the most amazing gift I’ve ever received. Thank you.”
“Stolichnaya made three hundred bottles of this edition.”
Her eyebrows jumped up. “And we’re supposed to drink it?”
He chuckled. “How else can we appreciate it?”
“Then, we’ll have some before we head out.” She vanished into her kitchen, returning with two juice glasses.
He opened it, poured, and handed her a glass.
“Here’s to finding the woman in the video,” she said.
His heart dropped. For her, this was all business.
Then, she shot him an adorable smile. “I’m just messing with you. Here’s to the one man who…” she peered into his eyes, “takes incredibly good care of me.”
“To you, Evan. My brilliant, gorgeous enigma.” She stilled while he tossed back the luxurious liquor. “Drink up.”
She sipped the vodka, closed her eyes, and sighed. A peace settled over her face, and, when her eyes opened, she took another sip. “I’m going to say this once and only once. I like you Sinclair Develin. I like you…a lot. And not just because you bought me the best vodka on the planet.”
He laughed. I like you, too. One helluva lot.
“But my liking you doesn’t change a thing.”
Yeah, right. He stifled a smile. “Of course not.” Evangeline Worthington had played her hand. For reasons he couldn’t begin to analyze, that didn’t scare him. In fact, he liked knowing how she felt because he felt the exact same way.
She lifted the bag off the sofa. “Also for me?”
“Yes.”
First, she looked inside. Then, she pulled out the full-length cashmere coat. “This is too much.” She slipped it on and ran her hands down its length. “This is, by far, the most beautiful piece of clothing I have ever owned. Thank you so much.”
“You are so beautiful,” he murmured.
“So are you,” she replied, her voice a breathy whisper. She dropped a soft peck on his mouth. “Thank you for these gifts.”
“It’s my pleasure.” He gestured toward the small roller bag. “Is that coming with us?”
She nodded. “These sleepovers are becoming a habit.”
“Lucky me.”
Once outside, he placed the bag in the trunk of his car.
“Where’s Anton?”
“Just us tonight.”
“Who’s got your six?”
“Besides you? Dakota’s got one of his guys tailing us.” He opened the passenger door and she slipped inside. Once behind the wheel, he said, “I’m not afraid.”
“A little fear keeps me on my toes.”
“Fear is always a bad thing, but anger isn’t. And I’ve got plenty of that.”
Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at Sargent’s. “Develin,” he said to the hostess.
“Yes, sir. May I check your coats?”
“I’m good, thanks,” Evangeline replied.
He pressed his lips against her ear and whispered, “Are you never taking that off?”
Her soft moan was the response he’d hoped for. “When the time is right, it’s all coming off,” she murmured before sliding the coat off her bare shoulders and draping it over her arm.
His cock stirred. I can’t wait.
“Please follow me,” said the hostess.
As they moved through the main dining room, guests glanced in their direction. He spotted several politicians and C-level clients, acknowledging them with a polite nod. Several other patrons stopped talking to gawk and he forced a smile. Why can’t they mind their own damn business?
Someone snapped a picture. Despite his desire to keep Evan out of the spotlight, he couldn’t control everything. If he made the guest delete the picture, dozens more would pop up that portrayed him as an asshole or worse. Better to let that go.
The hostess seated them in one of Chef Bruglio’s private dining rooms, told them their server would be with them shortly, and left.
Evangeline cleared her throat. “If the person who snapped that pic posts it, the person trying to hurt you will know you’re here. That concerns me.”
He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her finger.
The server breezed into the room. After welcoming them to Sargent’s, he took their drink order and left.
“I don’t want to discuss work,” Sin said, stroking her skin.
“Good thing, because there might be prying eyes in here. Could be a device in the chandelier or tucked in the plant.”
“Hmm.”
“Are you concerned because you brought a woman here and—”
He laughed. “I’ve never brought a date here, but I have had confidential business meetings here.”
“For the record, I’m not a date, Sin. This is not a date.”
He wasn’t about to get into it with her, so he raised his hands in mock surrender. “Whatever you say, boss.” He leaned back. “I don’t want to talk shop. Tell me about you.”
The server returned with their drinks and a small plate of mixed hors d’oeuvres. “From Chef Bruglio.” He took their entrée order and topped their crystal water goblets before leaving.
The conversation flowed. She discussed her early career in law enforcement and her transition into the FBI. He loved listening to the lilt of her voice and appreciated how she wasn’t trying to impress him or play games. She was simply being herself.
Her gaze rarely left his, but when he smiled, she would glance at his mouth. Being with Evangeline was different. Easier. More energizing. By the time the waitstaff delivered their entrees, his head was buzzing, but not from the wine.
He was flat-out drunk on Evan.
“Mmm. So good,” she said, savoring her salmon. His cock twitched in response to her sexy sounds. She offered him a forkful. Their gazes stayed glued while he took it, chewed, swallowed.
“Very good.” He sliced off a piece of filet mignon. “I’ll share.”
Before she opened her mouth, she ran her tongue over her lower lip, as if preparing to kiss him. He slid the small piece of steak inside. Her lips closed around the fork and he gently pulled it out. Staring at Evangeline was his newest addiction. She was as beguiling as she was beautiful.
“Quid pro quo, Sinclair.”
“What do you want to know?”
“How’d you end up at Harvard?”
“I had decided I would attend the local community college and figure things out from there. Turns out, Maverick and my sister, Desiree, conspired.” That memory made him smile. “He filled out two college applications. One for himself and one for me.”
“Oh, wow.” She forked rice into her mouth.
“My sister is a force of nature. With our dad’s help, she applied for a bunch of scholarships for me. I got several, which helped.” He paused to sip his wine. “My brother got accepted first, then I did. Initially, I thought it was a joke. I never expected Warren would pay for it, but he did.” His throat tightened with unexpected emotion.