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Brittany smiles, her eyes shining with emotion. "I missed you too. It's funny how an hour can seem so long."
"That it can." Dane reaches for her hand. "I picked a traditional German restaurant not too far away. The place is popular and well rated. I hope that's all right."
"It's perfect. Besides starving, I'm craving pork schnitzel at the moment. Ooh, with that tasty potato salad and some roasted vegetables too. Yum, that sounds good."
"Then we should get going."
They stroll toward the restaurant—Dane hard-pressed to keep his hands to himself. He can smell vanilla, her scent heating his senses, and he beats down the urge to take her down a side street and smother her with wicked caresses, listening to her purr with pleasure. He sighs, tucking her hand into the crook of his arm. They have all night. He'll save the foreplay for later, when he can strip her body bare and pleasure her until he makes her come.
Successfully tempering his desire, Dane feels himself growing nervous and edgy. Out of time, they can't put it off any longer. They need to discuss their future and whether there's a possibility of one between them. Up until two days ago,he'd planned to go home after the cruise, Brittany becoming a treasured memory. But something changed between them, and he knows he can't walk away. Unsure how, he's determined to see if they can make something work between them, even if it means only seeing each other occasionally. The alternative is something he refuses to entertain.
The big question is whether Brittany feels the same way. A part of him is terrified she won't.
There's something about her, the way she draws him to her and pulls at his heart. Dane's never felt this way about any of the women he's dated. And he's never wanted to expend more than minimal effort to make a relationship work—until now.
After walking for several blocks, Dane guides Brittany across a busy intersection and down a side street. Reaching the restaurant, they walk down a short staircase and stop at a podium. Dane speaks to the host in German while Brittany looks at him wide-eyed. Once they're taken to their table and seated, the man hands them menus and hurries away.
"I'd forgotten you said you could speak German. What was the man saying to you?" Brittany asks.
"I told him I had a reservation, but we were late. He said it wasn't a problem because they had tables available."
"Well, that's good. And I'm impressed with your language skills. So far, I've heard you speak Hungarian and German. Maybe I should have you speak dirty to me in French." Brittany gives Dane a coy smile, her gaze settling on his lips.
Dane laughs. "How about English, so you know what I'm saying to you? That way, you won't agree to something you don't like."
"I can't imagine not liking something with you." Brittany's voice is soft, like a caress across his skin.
"I believe we'll have to explore that thought further."
"I'm game whenever you are."
"You better watch out. You might get more than you bargained for." Dane grins devilishly before turning to the waiter approaching their table.
He and the waiter converse in German. Finished, Dane turns to Brittany.
"Would you prefer wine or beer? Regensburg is known as eastern Bavaria's beer hub."
"I usually drink wine, but I'll try a beer."
"Do you like light or dark?"
"Hmm. Light. Pick one for me."
Dane orders and hands the menus to the waiter. He turns his attention back to Brittany. "I ordered a fruity and full-bodied light beer along with our dinner—schnitzel, potato salad, and vegetables."
"Thank you. I can't wait. I'm surprised you can't hear my stomach growling."
Dane laughs. "That's because I hear mine."
The time slips by as they drink and laugh, talking about the cruise and bits and pieces of their personal lives.
Knowing he can't hold off any longer, Dane waits for Brittany to finish talking. Then he reaches out and takes her hand. His voice is quiet when he says, "We need to talk."
Brittany looks down at her lap. "I knew this was coming."
"Don't look so gloomy. It's not like the world is crashing down on us or anything like that."
"It feels like it is. I was dreading this moment."
