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“I’m about to make it three, if you don’t promise me you’ll take things at her pace.” She plants a hand on her hip while using the other to point to her face. “Eyes of a killer, remember?”
“Of course,” Hayden says. “You have my word that I’ll take very good care of Calista.”
Harper’s face splits with a grin. “Okie dokie. Let me know if you need bail money or an alibi. You two have a good night.”
A secret smile curves his lips. “We will.”
* * *
I glanceat Hayden sitting in the driver’s seat, taking in the look of concentration on his face. “Where are you taking me?”
“I made reservations for LeBoudoir tonight.”
“That’s one of the nicest restaurants in the city. I’ve heard it has amazing French cuisine, but the waitlist is more than six months out.” I pause. “Don’t tell me you made this reservation for someone else, and I just happen to be filling in for her.”
“I haven’t even so much as looked at another woman since I met you.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “You’re just saying that.”
“I never say things I don’t mean, Callie.”
“So you’re not trying to persuade me?”
“I didn’t say that. However, I also want you to have the best of everything.”
I bite my lip. Until he sucks in a breath and his gaze darkens. “If you do that again, I’ll pull this car over so I can have a taste.”
“Sorry,” I mumble.
The rest of the drive is both long and short with Hayden’s sensual threat hanging over me. However, once we get to our destination, I’m more at ease. It’s hard not to give into temptation with this man, but being in a public place will cure me of that.
Le Boudoir is everything I imagined and more.
Dark wood panels line the walls that are lit by the golden glow of crystal chandeliers, positioned above each table. The employees, wearing crisp black suits glide between the tables, speak in hushed tones to preserve the peaceful ambience. The place is elegant with hints of intimacy in the darker corners of the room, its tables filled with couples who provide a constant hum of conversation.
“It’s so beautiful,” I whisper, not wanting to disrupt anyone’s meal.
“Yes, it is.”
I turn to look at him with a smile on my face, only to find him already staring at me. “This way,” he says.
Hayden places his hand on the small of my back, his fingertips gripping me securely. The protective gesture has tendrils of warmth shooting through my whole body. He leads me to a section in the back, one that’s obviously reserved for very special diners who have large bank accounts. I want to protest against the extravagance, but when he glances at me as if I’m his reason for breathing…
I can’t deny this man anything.
He pulls out my chair, and I sit down, immediately nervous to have him across for me. I won’t be able to hide from his scrutiny. “Why did you bring me here?” I ask.
“I wanted to go somewhere where we could enjoy a leisurely dinner with minimal interruptions.”
“So this whole thing isn’t a ploy to convince me to move in with you?”
He lifts his water glass. “I never said that.”
“Fair.” I smooth the napkin over my lap with trembling fingers. “It’s been so long since I’ve been anywhere this nice. I have to admit, I kind of feel out of my element.”
“I want you to listen closely,” he says, fixing with me with a hard look. “You belong anywhere I bring you. No exceptions.”
A blush heats my cheeks and I pick up my water, partially obscuring my face behind the glass. “Thank you.”
