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“I think it’s time to wash the food down with something to drink.” Nico picked up the wine opener and got to work. The pop of the cork echoed through the dining room. After he poured some wine into a glass, he set the bottle on the table. He lifted the glass and swirled the Cab around to let it breathe. “Are you ready?”
“Go for it.”
Tilting the glass to her parted lips, he loved the sexy way she swallowed and worked her throat. “Mmm, Cabernet?”
“Right on the money. A lady that likes good food and wine. Do you want to take the blindfold off?”
“Keep going. I’m enjoying myself.” Nico wanted to lick the wine from her lips, taste the sweetness of her mouth.
Lifting a rose out of the vase, he brushed the petals over the side of her jaw, earning him a delicious shiver. Then he held the rose under her nose. “This one can’t be eaten.”
A deep inhale followed by a smile. “Roses, my favorite. How did you know?”
“I noticed you had one in your office the other day.”
“You must’ve been paying attention.”
If she only knew how much, he might scare her away.“I think it’s time to take off the blindfold.” He set the rose back in the vase. “I want to look into your eyes.”
Brooke reached up, undid the scarf, and pulled it off her face. She gasped as she glanced around the room. “I can’t believe you went to all this trouble for me.”
“It was no trouble. I prepared everything ahead of time. I loved doing it. You have a crumb there.” Nico wiped it from the corner of her mouth and put it to his lips. Awareness hummed between them.
She took a sip from her goblet. “I’m psyched to try your food. Tell me the story behind this place?”
“It has been a lot of hard work,” he said, refilling their glasses. “Backbreaking sixteen-hour days, but it’s all starting to pay off. I never thought I’d get to this point. This has always been my dream.” Nico left out the part about almost losing everything and angled his head to the kitchen door. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“Starving.”
Nico wanted passion in his life with someone he could see himself with for the long haul. The rush of excitement pumping through his blood got him thinking that someone could be Brooke.
CHAPTER5
BROOKE
Brooke gazed at the real china on the table and the bouquet of red roses in the vase, and she shook her head, dazzled by the lengths Nico had gone to for her. Candlelight flickered in the dark room, adding to the romantic ambiance.
“This is beautiful, Nico.” Heated glances and lingering smiles replaced any shred of first date awkwardness. The idea of spending time alone with him left her breathless with anticipation.
“I take it you’re not used to being spoiled.” Nico picked up a mushroom from a fancy white plate in the center of the table and popped it into his mouth. He looked mouthwatering in a short-sleeved black dress shirt that clung to his arms and broad shoulders.
“Put it this way, my last boyfriend wasn’t big on romance. Give him a drive-up window and a six pack, and he was good to go.”
His shoulders shook with laughter. The sexy rumble turned her insides warm. “That’s awful and, frankly, surprising as hell.”
“I know what you must be thinking, if I’m a matchmaker, why in the world would I settle?” Sipping her wine, Brooke looked at him over the rim of her glass.
“I admit the thought crossed my mind. You deserve flowers and candles, every night of the week.”How can he be real?Nico sounded too good to be true.
“I want to believe in the fairy tale. So you kiss a few frogs while searching for your prince,” she said over the strum of guitar music playing in the background, hoping that didn’t sound pathetic.
“I hope you find him.” His gaze sent heat unfurling inside her. Nico reached across the table and squeezed her hand. His touch made her shiver. “Let’s eat. I’m ravenous all of a sudden.” He got to his feet and pushed in his chair. “Do you cook at the manor?”
“No. But the other girls do, and I buy groceries, so it works out well.”
His mouth twitched in amusement. “I can teach you. Are you ready for a tour?”
“I can’t wait.” Brooke followed him into the kitchen. The scrape of her heels against the tiled floor echoed through the large space.
