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I’m attracted to him. Big-time. And he’s clearly attracted to me.
Still, this is probably just a date to him, even if he doesn’t want me to think of him as a Rake-a-teer.
So I’m determined to treat it as just a date too. I’m also determined to be myself.
I’m not charismatic like Jesse and Rory, and I’m not a big flirt like Maddie.
I’m Callie. I’m sarcastic, self-deprecating, and a little peeved about my situation.
But I’m also giving, caring, and I love my family.
I don’t have the boobs my sisters have, which has always kind of pissed me off, but at least I can wear button-down shirts and little black dresses without a bra.
Not so bad after all.
I crunch on a baby squid and polish off my pomegranate margarita just in time for Mark to slide Donny’s salad in front of him.
“Can I get either of you another cocktail?” he asks.
Donny raises his eyebrows. “Callie?”
“I’ll switch to Diet Coke, thanks.”
Mark nods. “And you, Mr. Steel?”
“Mineral water for me, please. Sparkling with a twist of lime.”
“Very good.”
I can’t help a smile. “Seems strange for a Steel to be having dinner without wine.”
“Or a Pike,” he tosses back.
“Is it weird that both our families are in the wine business and neither of us like wine much?”
“Maybe a little,” he says, “but I’m my own person. Always have been.”
I smile at that. “Me too.” No truer words.
Dinner passes nicely. We eat without talking too much, and it seems very natural. Donny’s an extrovert, but he doesn’t push me to talk, which I appreciate.
My trout is delicious. Do I dare tell a Steel that I prefer fish to beef on almost every occasion? Maybe on the second date.
Mark delivers dessert menus. I ordered light, so I definitely still have room. Still, I hate to add to the bill—even though I know money is no object for Donovan Steel.
“What looks good?” Donny asks.
“All of it. What are you going to have?”
“Carrot cake, I think. Though it won’t beat Aunt Marj’s. She makes the best cakes this side of the Mississippi.”
“That cake last night was amazing.”
“Yeah. Her white cake with raspberry crème filling. That’s her standard for her fancy decorated cakes.”
I glance over the menu again. “Chocolate almond mousse. I admit it. I’m a chocoholic.”
“Not a bad thing.”
Donny motions to Mark, orders our desserts plus black coffee, and then turns back to me. “Tell me. Do you like to cook?”
I lift my eyebrows. “That came out of left field.”
“Just wondering. I’m a lousy cook myself. I order takeout most evenings.”
I can’t afford takeout. But I don’t mention this.
“Dale’s a regular gourmet. Dee and Bree are both pretty good too. Even Dad can whip up a pretty good omelet. Mom and I aren’t cooks though, unless you count her grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches or her chocolate cake. They’re pretty legendary.”
“Cooking’s not really my thing. I’ve been living at home since college, for the most part, so my mom does the cooking.”
“What’s it like? Living at home as an adult.”
“It’s…okay.”
“I’ll be moving into the guesthouse as soon as Dale and Ashley’s house is ready, but that won’t be for a few weeks yet. I haven’t lived at home full-time since high school. It’s kind of weird.”
“Both of us living at home,” I say.
“Yeah.” He chuckles. “Not the optimal prescription for alone time.”
I warm. “True.”
“So we’ll have to take advantage of this weekend, then.”
His words arrow straight between my legs. I force myself not to squirm.
Mark arrives with our coffees and desserts. I take a bite of mousse and let the creaminess sit on my tongue for a moment. The dark chocolate and smoky almond fill my mouth with decadence.
Donny smiles. “You have an amazing dreamy look on your face right now.”
I swallow. “Do I?”
“Yeah. Must be good.”
“It’s wonderful. How’s the cake?”
“Delicious. Not Aunt Marj’s, though.”
I take another bite of mousse.
“I need to get the recipe for that dessert,” Donny says. “I want to bottle that look on your face.”
Sparks skitter over my flesh.
“I wouldn’t mind you looking at me like that,” he continues.
“Don’t I?” I try a coquettish smile, but I probably look like I have gas or something.
Don’t I? God, that sounded stupid. I’m so not a flirt like Maddie.
“Not yet,” he says, “but you will.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Donny
Back at the cabin, we’re barely inside before I attack.
I pin her against the wall next to the door, raise her arms above her head and crush my lips to hers.
God, I want her. I’ve been hard all through dinner, and then that dessert. Watching her eat, that look on her face…
Her lips are soft and supple under mine, and she parts them, letting me take her tongue.
Man, this woman can kiss. For a moment, I wonder who taught her, but the thought erases itself and I dive in and take.
Take everything I can in a kiss.
