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With a sigh, she turned to the one-way glass window, drawn to the oblivious crowd going about their day without a clue to her curiosity. Faces etched with stories, laughter shared among friends, and fleeting moments of intimacy against the backdrop of an urban landscape.
Why had she not been able to find her one true love, that elusive prince that her childhood fairy tales had promised? Why …
“Sara?” a deep voice said next to her.
Startled, she jumped, her knee slamming into the underside of the table, sending the dishes and silverware clattering. “Oh, shit,” she muttered, her eyes darting around to see if anyone noticed. Of course, they did. God, just let her die now.
She glanced to the side to see who belonged to the velvety voice. Whoever he was, he was handsome beyond a doubt. Not just handsome, buthot.
His hair was a sexy jet-black mess. His smooth, olive-toned skin looked as if he had just come off a yacht in Greece. The shadow from the tabletop candles highlighted the lines of his face. His form-fitting suit drew attention to his muscular body.
And his eyes … his eyes were the greenest Sara had ever seen.
She hadn’t realized that she was staring at him until a smirk pulled at the corner of his mouth. “You are Sara, aren’t you?”
“Oh, yes! Yes, I am.” She stood to shake his hand. As she reached out, Xavier flipped his hand under hers and lifted it to his lips, kissing it in the most chivalrous way.
Her face heated, and her heart melted. The sweet spot between her legs tingled as his lips brushed her skin.
“I’m Xavier. So glad that we could meet.” He slowly let go of her hand.
Sara steadied her breathing and quickly attempted to pull herself together. “Me too,” she said, taking her seat again as Xavier sat across from her.
Within a second, the maître d’ was back, and Xavier ordered a bottle of the highest-priced red wine they had available.
When they had been left alone, he spoke again. “I hope you don’t mind. I didn’t even ask if you partook in alcoholic beverages. But it is genuinely refreshing, and you at least have to try it. Plus, I feel like we both need to have the edge taken off a bit.”
His smile was just as captivating as the rest of him.
Sara reminded herself to breathe and that this was as much a business interview as a date.
Then again, aren’t they usually the same thing?she thought as the waiter returned, pouring them both a glass.
“Leave the bottle,” Xavier ordered with a smooth tone.
She was impressed he was able to demand things without sounding like a snooty asshole. He knew what he wanted and didn’t want to be questioned. He sounded like an alpha.
“I hope it didn’t appear that I was on edge. I simply lost track of time watching the busy streets,” she responded, taking a small sip of the wine.
He was right. The drink was beyond refreshing. Either that or she desperately needed some liquid courage.
He chuckled. “I understand. But I was nervous myself, so I tossed you under the umbrella to make myself feel better.”
Her shoulders relaxed a little. “You’re nervous? About meeting me?”
“Of course. This is the first time I have done anything like this. I wanted to do it right and wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve been busy for longer than I care to admit with pack business, among other things, so when I have a chance to get out, it’s usually by myself, and I do exactly what you were doing when I arrived.”
Wait. Had she heard correctly? “You’ve never had a date?”
He smiled at that. “No. Not really. There aren’t many females in my pack, to begin with, let alone any I care to spend my time with. And as for humans, I prefer them to already know the situation before a date, and that requires time beforehand. You, for example, know what I am and what I do. There’s no surprise and no stage of uncertainty before we get down to things.”
His candidness was refreshing. “True. So, why the surrogacy now?”
Before he could answer, their waiter arrived to take their orders.
She let him order for her, given she had never been there before. She liked that he asked instead of just assuming, though.
Usually, guys who took control were cringeworthy and thought they knew best. He was willing, but only if she wanted him to. She liked that.
