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When was the last time I even went on a date with a guy? I wasn’t a virgin, by any means, but I was single as fuck and had been for way too many years, or so it seemed to me. And here Dan was, unfairly attractive and more than likely single.
If not carrying a bit of baggage, I reminded myself, and that helped me calm down a bit.
“I’m pretty sure I like everything on the menu,” Dan was saying. Then he grinned at me, and my heart thumped hard in my chest. “Although, I wouldn’t mind if you could keep me company while I ate?”
I cleared my throat and looked around. Only, there really wasn’t anything else for me to do around. There was no one else, and I’d already cleared up the tables.
“Why don’t you take a seat and I’ll bring the food to you,” I finally relented, sighing.
His grin widened. “Excellent. Don’t take too long,” he teased, turning his back and picking a table with two seats.
I watched him go, then prepared a plate for him. He hadn't specified what he wanted, but I picked what would be easy on his stomach anyway, just in case he still wasn’t okay from earlier. I hesitated, before deciding I might as well, and I served a plate for myself before I went and joined him.
“Sorry if I took too long,” I murmured as I set the plates down, then sat across from him.
“Not at all. I’m being a pain,” he said with a sheepish laugh at himself.
“Of course not,” I said automatically, even though in a lot of ways, it was certainly true. “You don’t need to worry about it,” I added. “I was happy to help. Though… I am a little curious at what had you so messed up. Most people know not to drink and drive, especially when they’re in unfamiliar areas…?”
It was probably rude of me to ask. But, I figured after everything, I couldn’t just treat him like any other guest, and that wasn’t just the attraction talking.
Again, just like last night, his expression was part nostalgic, part sad. I was a little too curious for my own good, just what had him making an expression like that.
“I guess you haven’t really seen me in my best, huh?” he said with an embarrassed laugh, looking down and not meeting my eyes.
He pursed his lips and picked up his fork, stabbing at his food before trying a bite of it. He hummed, eyes widening in surprise.
“This is really good,” he complimented as the food quickly descended from the fork into his mouth before he refilled it again.
It wasn’t the first compliment I’d ever received, his brought a warm flush to my cheeks, and I ducked my head down, chiding myself for reading too much into it.
“Thanks,” I mumbled, taking a bite myself. “Why?” I asked quickly, taking the attention off myself. “If it isn’t too personal a question, of course. I just don't understand why you would risk your life, driving so far and so drunk." I knew that I was being personal and his hesitation in replying told me that the next thing he'd do is tell me that it's none of my business and he'd be right about that.
"You don’t have to tell me anything,” I sighed embarrassed about asking him in the first place.
He shrugged and met my eyes. “I don’t really mind...I don't have an answer for you."
He shifted uncomfortably.
"I kind of owe you after all the shit you’ve put up with thanks to me,” he quickly changed the subject.
I wanted to tell him he didn’t owe me anything. Really, he didn’t. I might have gone above and beyond the callings of my job, but there was no way I could have left him to just fend for himself. But a strong part of me really wanted to hear this, so when I opened my mouth, I stuffed it with food and got busy chewing, staring intently at Dan.
He was back to not meeting my eyes. “The truth is…my wife left me.”
I almost choked on my mouthful of food because of his words. He looked up at me, still sad, but somewhat amused by whatever expression I had on.
“You’re surprised, right?” he said, lifting his hands and showing them to me. No ring. “It was a while ago, and I should probably be over it by now, but… I just don’t think I can be. I mean, we were together for a while, and she just ups and leaves without informing me. It was such a fucking shock. I… haven’t really gotten over it yet. But I’m trying.”
I had a feeling he might not appreciate it if I said it out loud, but in that moment, I felt so sorry for him, even if I didn't know the other side of the story. I felt angry at this woman that would leave a man like him. Sure, I hadn't seen the best of him so far, but I’d seen enough to be able to tell it would probably be really great.
“Would you like dessert?” I asked.
Dan looked up, surprised at me at the sudden outburst.
“We’re in the middle of a meal, though…”
“I know, but would you? If you think your stomach can handle it…?”
He looked down at the food he’d barely started on. I knew I’d probably just stick all the leftovers in the fridge, and either eat it myself, or give it to someone else that would like to have it. I was doing a very stupid thing, but I didn’t care.
“Well,” he said after a moment. “If you don’t mind, then I guess I can't say no.” He shrugged.
I beamed at him. “Great! And, I promise you won’t regret it. Or, hope you won’t, anyway.”
I got up, picking up both plates and waiting on him to follow, before I made my way to the kitchen. I set the plates down on the counter, deciding I could clear up the dining room later, before I went to sleep.
“Out of curiosity, what are you making?”
Glancing at him over my shoulder, I shot him a wink. Damn, where is all this confidence even coming from, I thought, feeling slightly awed at my own behavior.
“It’ll be a surprise. I figured, I want to make you feel better, and the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
Dan laughed. There were plenty of stools and seats around the room, even where he could see me clearly, but instead of taking any of them, he moved to lean against the counter next to where I stationed myself, assembling ingredients.
“Maybe you’re right,” he murmured.
I walked around him to get to a different cabinet. I found what I was looking for, and I turned back, only to bump into Dan’s chest, because he’d gotten in the way. I looked up to tell him to step aside and give me some room, only for the words to get caught in my throat. He was staring at me too intently, and my whole body felt like it was lit up. He took the bag of sugar from my hands, dropping it on the counter without looking.
“You don’t have to try so hard, Scarlett,” he murmured. His hands cupped my face, and I could feel my breath going ragged. “You could say I’m easier than most men.”
He ducked his head down, and I didn’t stop him as he pressed his mouth to mine in a soft kiss. Instead, I wrapped my arms around his neck, going on tip toe, to kiss him back.
Chapter Seven
Scarlett
The next morning, the few guests we had at the hot
el were all ready to leave. All, that is, expect Dan. I was sitting in the lounge after checking them out, and when he came downstairs, he found me there.
“Morning,” he said brightly, grinning.
I blinked, surprised because it was pretty early and he looked pretty fresh and ready for the day, while I felt exhausted.
“Hey, there,” I mumbled, waving a hand at him.
He tilted his head at me curiously. “Why do you seem so dead beat? Did something happen?”
I sighed. “I guess there was no way for you to find out. The other guests are gone. So, now it’s really just you and me.” I shrugged.
Dan was silent for a moment. Then, he moved to sit next to me. Because I was relaxing, I’d taken my shoes off and had them up on the seat. I didn’t feel the need to be formal with Dan, so I wasn’t hurrying to right myself, like if it had been a different guest. But it still made me jump when he suddenly lifted my feet as he sat down, setting them on his lap. He didn’t do anything afterwards, just turned to look at me, so I calmed down almost immediately.
“That means you don’t have anything to do, right? Wait, did I miss breakfast?”
I shook my head. “No to both. You didn’t miss breakfast; I just sent the other guests off with complimentary gift baskets filled with some food. I have some in the kitchen if you’d like.”
My legs tensed as I was ready to jump up and go get the food. I was more relaxed with him, but he was still a paying guest. But then his hands were on my ankles, keeping me in place, and I went still. His hands were large and warm, and the touch sent shivers through my body that I hoped he didn’t notice.
“That’s fine,” he said, waving a dismissive hand. “First of all, tell me what there is to do around here, something interesting. Let’s do that today.”
My heart jumped, because he wanted to spend time with me. Almost immediately I was reprimanding myself for reading too much into it.
There was that kiss from yesterday…
