“No, I’m fine.” She gave him her phone, Google Maps open. “I’ll meet you at the restaurant.”
Enzo sighed, but he had to comply. He typed in the address and gave her back her phone. It was clear to him that she didn’t trust him yet. He could sense that every time she was around him, her feminine instinct would kick in and hold her back. She might not know much about Goldman, the Bulgarian twins, or about the real reason why he was in New York, but she had a good, strong intuition. He couldn’t help but admire that about her.
CHAPTER SIX
Enzo was waiting for her in front of the restaurant. Penny saw him even before her Uber stopped, so she had a moment to take a deep breath, check her perfect red lipstick in the mirror, and smooth down her long, blonde curls. She thanked the driver and got out. As she walked toward him, she noticed how her knees felt a bit weak. A date… She was on a date with a hot, gorgeous, rich man who had first fucked her brains out and then asked her about herself. Penny had never done anything like this before. Enzo Salvador was a mystery to her. Sometimes, she felt a pang of sharp pain in her heart that told her he was dangerous, too. He would leave. Once he closed the deal with Goldman Corp, he was going to leave for sunny Spain and she would never see him again. The thought almost made her turn around and run for her life.
“It’s just a date, Penelope,”she mentally calmed herself down.“Stop freaking out. You’ve had dates and one-night stands before. You won’t give Enzo enough time to break your heart.”
As he leaned in to kiss her on both cheeks and whisper in her ear “You look ravishing tonight”, Penny sighed and had to accept she was probably lying to herself. She liked him too much. Maybe he wouldn’t break her heart, exactly, but she was going to miss him.
“Thank you. You clean up well, too.”
They laughed, and he opened the door for her.
“Want to know a secret?”
“Oh, Mr. Salvador, I want to know all your secrets.”
“I hate wearing suits. No matter how well they are tailored, they’re always so rigid and they restrict my movements. I like feeling free. At home, I don’t wear them as much.”
“Really?”
She cocked an eyebrow and studied him from head to toe. As usual, he looked impeccable. His black hair was neatly combed, his green eyes sparkled with mischief, his shirt hugged his chiseled muscles perfectly, and when he turned to speak to the waitress, she stole a quick glance at his backside and had to bite her lip hard. His round, firm butt looked heavenly in the black, expensive dress pants.
Enzo caught her staring.
“Like what you see?”
Penny blushed and shook her head gently.
“What? What are you talking about? Sorry… I spaced out for a bit. Was thinking about work.”
“Right,” he grinned.
The waitress led them to their table and handed them the Menu. They were silent for a few minutes, as they leafed through it and decided what they wanted, then Enzo took her hand in his and raised it to his lips.
“Thank you for accepting to have dinner with me.”
His warm breath on her fingers made her shiver.
“Err… of course. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Oh, it’s not about why you would or wouldn’t. My mom taught me to always thank the person who makes me feel happy and comfortable, even if it’s for a small thing, even if it’s just for being there. When I was younger, I never listened to her much. I was a bit of a rebel, you know. But this piece of advice… well, I took it to heart.”
Penny smiled. “Your mother sounds like a very wise woman.”
“Yes. She was.”
“Was? What happened?”
Enzo released her hands, leaned against the backrest, and tried to look and sound casual when he knew it was impossible.
“She died a few years ago.” He was lying. Amaya Salvador hadn’t died a few years ago. More like… a century and a half ago. “Cancer.” Another lie. She had died of old age.
“Oh my God. I’m so sorry. It must have been hard for you.”
He smiled reassuringly. “It’s okay. Time heals all wounds.”
