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“You didn’t finish your dinner.” He locked eyes with her and gave her his most charming smile. “At least come back and finish your meal.”
Once again his skills had no effect on her.
“No thank you,” she said firmly.
She started to pull away, and he quickly tightened his grip.
“Please. I… I owe you an apology.”
The words sounded stilted, but she tilted her head, considering him.
“Because you were rude?”
“And because you were trying to help. And because your dressing was delicious. It seems you do know how to cook.”
A shadow crossed her pretty face before she nodded.
“Thank you, but I still think I’d better?—”
“Please.”
He gently drew her closer and the wide-eyed look was back. Her pupils expanded, turning her eyes dark and mysterious, and the thought crossed his mind that perhaps she was enchanting him. The thought of tasting that lush pink mouth was beginning to haunt him, not to mention that tempting neck. He brushed his thumb over her rapidly beating pulse, and he could have sworn she swayed towards him.
Then a burst of laughter came from over on Main Street. She tried to step back again, and this time he let her go.
“I… I guess I’m still hungry.”
Her gaze had dropped to the ground, but he reached out and took hold of a cold little hand.
“Good. Then come along.”
Although he tried to temper his voice, it was undoubtedly a command and her chin came up before she finally nodded. She tried to tug her hand away, but when he didn’t release it she didn’t protest, accompanying him silently back to the restaurant.
Shelly looked up as they entered, her gaze flying to their joined hands as she hurried over to greet them and take Wendy’s coat again.
“I’m so glad you came back. Can I tell Chef to prepare your fish now?”
“All right. Although maybe you’d better not tell him it’s for me,” Wendy said dryly.
He started to protest that his chef would never do anything unprofessional, but both females were laughing so he let it drop. He wanted to escort her to her table. No, he wanted to accompany her to her table and share a meal with her. Instead, he returned to the host stand.
“I will leave you in Shelly’s capable hands.” Before he could second guess the impulse, he added, “But perhaps I could join you after the meal to… talk?”
Her head tilted again, but she nodded. He wasn’t sure he would have been able to resist reaching for her hand again, but then the front door opened and he was forced to return to his duties. More guests followed and he slipped into his usual role of charming host. When he escorted other guests to the second dining room, she didn’t look up, but from the pretty color flushing her cheeks she was as aware of him as he was of her.
Fortunately, there were no more complaints about the food and everything proceeded smoothly until Shelly came to find him.
“Wendy’s finished,” she said cheerfully, but then Shelly was usually cheerful. The pixie’s good nature was why he’d hired her, even if she didn’t always remember to serve from the correct side.
“Did she enjoy the rest of her food?”
“She complimented the branzino.” Shelly grinned. “And while she didn’t specifically say anything about the cream puff, I think her moan gave it away.”
He wished he’d been there to witness her enjoyment.
“Take her a small snifter of… Grand Marnier with my compliments, and tell her I’ll join her shortly.”
“Sure thing, boss.”
