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I rubbed my jaw, the stubble rough against my fingers. “Yeah. I have a few business partners. Kip is one of them, but I hold the majority share.”
“I had no idea. I guess I thought you were just the?—”
“Bartender?”
A deep blush darkened her cheeks. “Sorry, that was going to sound super shitty, and I didn’t mean it like that.”
“It’s okay. No offense taken.” I massaged the back of my neck as I realized that she had shown an interest in me before she knew I was part owner of a thriving business. I was sick and tired of meeting women who were after my money. The tension in my shoulders eased with the realization that this woman was different.
“Now that you know I have a temper, would that deter you from going out with me?”
A small smile crept across her face, making my heart skip a beat. It had been way too long since I’d taken someone out.
“What did you have in mind?” She shoved her hands into the front pockets of her jeans.
Her shyness was endearing.
“Not here, that’s for damn sure.” I chuckled. “A nice dinner at a restaurant. I want to talk and learn more about who Ella is, so not a bar and grill. What kind of food do you like?”
“Most food. Pizza, popcorn, Chinese.”
My brows knitted together. “Steak? Lobster? Seafood?”
She nodded, excitement flickering through her gaze.
“Excellent. How about tomorrow evening? I’ll pick you up at eight. Wear something nice.”
“Oh, you’re taking me somewhere fancy?”
I frowned for a brief second. “Hasn’t a guy taken you to an expensive dinner before?”
She scrunched up her nose. “Most of the guys I know are paying off college loans, so that would be a no.” She looked away and cleared her throat. “I realize that you’re older than I am, but how old are you?” Her voice was thin, as if she really didn’t want to hear the answer.
“I’m forty.” My pulse spiked as I waited for her to respond. “I hope that’s not too old for you.”
Chapter 7
Ella
After beating the hell out of a guy for nearly drugging me, Sebastian held me, and then I didn’t give a shit how old he was. Unless my instincts were wrong, he was safe and dependable, something I hadn’t experienced in a long time. More than that, even before he went all hero on my behalf, I was definitely interested. For forty, he was so damn good looking and fit. His body toned and sculpted … oh god, if I didn’t stop, I would be a total goner.
“Eleven years doesn’t bother me. Being an asshole does.”
Sebastian gave me a devilishly sexy smile, making my knees go weak.
“Good. I was a little worried that you might not want to go out with me if you knew I was older.”
I nibbled on my lower lip. Why did being around him send my belly dipping like I was on a wild ride at Disney World? Still, it felt nice to be excited about getting to know a guy. “Well, stop worrying.”
“I better get back in there and help Kip. I’m guessing no other douchebag will try any more shit around me for the remainder of the evening.”
“I hope not. And thank you again.” With an appreciative gesture, I squeezed his biceps.
Sebastian gave me a little bow. “At your service, ma’am.”
A giggle broke free as his words warmed me. “I’ll probably find Cami and head out. If I’m completely honest, I only showed up tonight to see if you were working.”
Sebastian’s eyes darkened as he closed the distance between us.
