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"No. But you are the only woman I've ever met who would eat a steak dinner in my presence. Or eat much of anything."
"If that surprises you, be prepared for a real shocker when you see me eat it."
"Yes, I know how you eat with gusto. I love that about you."
"Can't help it. I love food." I unfolded my napkin and placed it on my lap. "I don't eat steak often, so it's a treat for me. That means I will devour it."
"I have firsthand experience with the way you devour something you're craving."
"Even filet mignon can't compare to the flavor of you."
He reached across the table to grasp my hand. "You are a one-of-a-kind woman, Eve. Meeting you is the best thing that's ever happened to me."
My cheeks grew warm. "You sure know how to compliment a girl."
"It's the truth. You've changed my life."
Though I tried to speak, whatever words I'd meant to say got stuck in my throat. My cheeks flamed, but it was the fluttery sensation in my chest that rendered me speechless.
His thumb caressed the back of my hand, and his tender gaze was focused exclusively on me.
"You've changed my life too," I said when I finally regained the ability to speak.
And it was true. Before Val, I would never have taken time to relax in the middle of the day, much less taken my clothes off outdoors. His shamelessness encouraged me to stop worrying about what people thought of me. The only opinion that really mattered to me these days was his.
The waitress arrived with our drinks, interrupting our moment.
Val withdrew his hand and sat back in his chair.
I wanted to crawl onto his lap and cuddle up there.
We talked about everyday things while we ate our meal. Val smiled every time I shoved a chunk of steak into my mouth and moaned with satisfaction. For dessert, we ordered the darkest, most sinful chocolate cake I'd ever tasted. When I moaned at the deliciousness of it, Val's smile turned hot and hungry.
I'd expected he would whisk me home immediately after dinner, but he surprised me again.
He stood and offered me his hand. "A dance, Eve?"
A few couples occupied the dance floor, swaying to the romantic melody played by a piano and a string quartet.
I placed my hand in Val's.
He led me onto the floor, raised our joined hands, and placed his other palm on my back.
And we danced.
With our bodies barely touching, his hands provided the most solid link between us. No, that wasn't right. Something else, something far less tangible, provided the strongest link. I rested my cheek on his chest and let him sweep me around the dance floor. The music seemed like a waltz, and we moved in time with the rhythm, round and round, my dress swishing around our legs and his hand on my back anchoring me to him. He smelled so good, like woods and spice and man.
I lifted my head to gaze up at him.
He kissed my forehead.
My pulse accelerated. A delicious tingle swept over my skin, chased by a warmth that originated in my chest and bloomed outward to suffuse my entire body, my entire being.
Once the song ended, we headed back to our table to pay the bill. I offered to pay half, but Val shook his head.
"No, Evie," he said. "A gentleman always pays for dinner."
"What if I invited you? I should pay then."
