Page 27 of Miss Typed

Damn. Had his voice always been this sexy?

“You’re looking at the color. For a red, there may be some dark sediment at the bottom of the glass, but it shouldn’t be murky or cloudy.”

My attention shifted to the waitress, worried about her waiting on me.

Aiden diffused my anxiety, however. “Leave us for a few minutes, please.”

“Yes, sir. I’m happy to.” She made her leave quickly.

“No need to feel hurried. Eyes on me.”

Jesus. Did he have any idea what his hypnotic voice was doing to me? “What’s next?” I doubted taking off his shirt was on the agenda, but it would be a great step in wine tasting. Strip wine tasting should totally be a thing.

“Put the bottom of the glass on the table and swirl it gently in a clockwise motion. This will form tears, or legs as they call them, running down the sides of the glass. The denser the wine, the bigger legs it’ll have.”

I swirled the glass gently, careful not to spill, and fascinated by the way the rich liquid clung to the sides.

“Next you’ll want to smell the wine by hovering your nose over the center of the glass.”

I took a deep breath.

“Shallower breaths,” he advised.

I did as he asked, trying not to squirm at the way he was making me hot and bothered. Forget the stripping; the wine-tasting lesson alone was enough to make me combust.

“There are a number of aromas to pick up. But for the basics, you’re ensuring it doesn’t smell musty, burnt, or acidic like vinegar.”

I lifted it again, sniffing in the aroma of the rich liquid. I normally preferred a white, but I was anxious to taste this one. “It smells wonderful. Fruity, but kind of earthy, too.”

He smiled, making fire pool between my legs. “Excellent. Now it’s time to taste.”

I wet my lips in anticipation while he shifted in his seat. Perhaps he was growing impatient with this lesson. I lifted the glass to swallow, but he cautioned.

“Just a small sip. You’re looking for a balance. Not too sweet. Not too sour. Harmonious. Let it linger on your tongue.”

Let it linger on my tongue? This tasting was now a full-on seduction—of which he wasn’t even aware. My entire face burned while he watched me swallow. Did he blush, too? Perhaps it was just my imagination.

“It’s dry, but in the best way.” I loved the way it hit my tongue. “Thank you for taking the time to show me.” Instead of acting condescending or taking over, he’d been patient while teaching me. “Where did you learn?”

He signaled the waitress to come pour both glasses. “Where I grew up, we had a wine cellar about the size of my current apartment. I was expected to learn.” He almost seemed embarrassed by his admission.

Yet another reminder we led completely different lives. When the servers came to deliver two entrees of filet and lobster, that really hit home.

The special had to have cost a fortune. Yes, it was the company’s money and Aiden would be reimbursed, but it still made me feel guilty. What could I say? I was always thinking of money these days, so it was hard to eat an extravagant dinner without overthinking it.

“How is your meal?” he inquired after I’d taken a couple bites.

“Delicious, thank you.”

He tensed once Peter and Sean ambled back to the table for their meals. But luckily, they didn’t engage us in much conversation, preferring to discuss their evening plans and how they intended to join up with a few girls they’d met.

By the time the check came, both interns were saying their goodbyes and out the door to hail a cab. Aiden put his card in the portfolio without glancing at the receipt. I imagined it was a small fortune.

I frowned at the buzzing phone coming from my purse. Taking it out, I saw a text from the club. They were asking if I could come in tonight. Typically, they never requested me during the week, but over the holidays with so many of the girls off, they needed someone to fill in.

Looking up, I saw Aiden’s eyes on me.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude.”