“That’s right. People are so cynical these days, acting like old-fashioned romance is a tired concept. But romance is something that makes life worth living. You cut that out because you think you’re above it and you miss out on something really, really special.”
She said nothing, instead regarding me with an expression that conveyed she was moved by my words and agreed with them. After a second, she waved her hand and said, “But sorry for bringing up my ex – I know that’s kind of a first date faux pas.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“I’m a little out of practice with this, in case you can’t tell.”
“Then I’ll be happy to bring you up to speed.”
She smiled at me before turning her attention to the road, watching me take the turn to the highway. “Oh, so this is a field trip kind of date?”
“It is. I’ve got reservations at the perfect place. You’re going to love it.”
Annie grinned. “Do I at least get to know what city we’re going to?”
“Denver, of course.” Her smile faded. “Not a fan of the big city?”
“No, not that. It’s just that I moved away from there to start over. Got some…bad memories I’m leaving behind.”
“I get that. But in my experience, the best way to get rid of bad memories is to make new ones.”
Her smile returned. “I like the sound of that.”
The drive wasn’t long – only forty minutes. During that time, we chatted about out backgrounds. I made sure to keep the conversation centered on her, however. The less she knew about my family, the better. For obvious reasons.
About the time she finished, the towers of downtown Denver rose in the distance.
“God,” she said, her eyes fixed forward. “I can’t believe I’m back here.”
“It’ll be fun,” I said, reaching over and putting my hand on hers. “Trust me.”
I realized that sort of contact was possibly a little forward, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t resist Annie, and it took nearly all the restraint I had not to pull over and do more than hold her hand.
“I do,” she said, smiling brightly. “Something tells me you’re the kind of guy who knows how to have a good time.”
“I like to think so. Though work these days doesn’t leave much time for fun.”
“I can imagine,” she sympathized. “Running one of the biggest private-care facilities in the state must take up most of your days.”
I raised an eyebrow and glanced at her with a sly grin. “Someone’s done their research.”
“Sorry, I couldn’t resist. After we met, I had to know a little more about this oh-so-mysterious, charming man I’d be going out with. But don’t worry – I didn’t go full background check on you, only read that Forbes article.”
And it was a good thing she didn’t go full background check. The last thing I wanted was her to find out about my relation to Andrew before I was ready to reveal it. Thankfully, the article had been more about my current projects than any sort of biographical thing about my personal life.
Andrew…something about him stuck in my mind, like there was something I’d forgotten, something I was supposed to do. I put it out of my mind as we drove into downtown, the city alive with evening activity.
“Ah, the Forbes article. A little bit of a puff piece, but I was pleased with it for the most part. And the publicity didn’t hurt.”
“You should be pleased with it. They seem to think you’re the next big thing in the medical field.”
“That’s the plan. But I try not to buy into what the press has to say on those matters. Easy way to get a big head.”
“I’ve actually got a little experience with the medical field. Not professionally, but, you know…” she shrugged. “Experience.”
“Is that right?”
Before we could continue, however, I reached the tower where the restaurant was located. It was tall and gleaming, shooting up into the evening sky.
“How about this?” I said. “We get seated, and you tell me all about it.”
“Oh, I don’t want to bore you.”
I gave her a warm smile. “Trust me, Annie – there’s not a thing you could say that would bore me.”
She smiled back but seemed a little flushed by the compliment.
A valet approached the car and I handed over the keys as we climbed out. As I approached her side, I took her arm, bringing her gorgeous body close to mine. The men at the front opened the doors, and we stepped into the vast, ornate lobby, a fountain in the middle firing jets of water in glittering arcs, men and women in expensive clothes zipping here and there purposefully.
“Hell of place,” she commented, looking around.
“Wait until you see the restaurant.”
She smiled. “I’m looking forward to it.”
We stepped into one of the elevators, going up, up. It was only the two of us, and all I could think about was what it’d be like to press the stop button so I could pounce on her right then and there. I imagined pulling that skin-tight dress up around those luscious thighs, lifting her off her feet, and plunging into her deeply as she moaned in pleasure.
And just like that, my cock was hard again. I shifted where I stood, hoping she didn’t notice.
The doors soon opened, and Annie’s eyes widened once again. “Wow.”
I took her arm again and led her into the restaurant. The Rochester was all glitz and glamour, like an old-school sort of establishment with white linen tables and servers dressed all in black. A gorgeous, U-shaped bar dominated the center, and the floor-to-ceiling windows afforded a killer view of the city and the mountains beyond.
“Good evening, Dr. Pitt,” the hostess said as we approached. “Your table’s right this way.”
Annie said nothing, simply taking in the scene as the hostess led us through the restaurant. The place was a who’s who of the Denver elite, businessmen and women, athletes, and a few local politicians.
“Enjoy,” the hostess said with a smile as she seated us at our table, a spot on the elevated area along the windows.
“This is really something else,” she said, peering out of the window. “For me these days, a night out is Shake Shack and a glass of wine.”
“Then I’m happy to treat you to something a little different – no burgers on this menu.”
The server approached and presented a bottle of red I’d ordered beforehand.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of having the chef prepare us a special menu for the evening.”
She raised an eyebrow playfully. “Big into the whole ordering for the lady thing?”
“More that I trust the chef to know what’s good. And trust me – he’s never wrong.”
Once I’d tasted the wine and the server had gone, I raised the glass.
“What are we toasting to?” she asked, doing the same.
“How about to new beginnings.”
“I like that.”
We tapped rims and sipped.
“God, this amazing,” she gushed, regarding the glass in her hand like she couldn’t believe what she was holding. “Sure beats the hell out of the nine-dollars-a-bottle stuff I’m used to.”