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We have pleasant conversation until the appetizers are delivered, but I want to know more about the mysterious Donovan Blake. I take a deep breath and jump in.
“So tell me about your family—you mentioned I’ll be meeting them at the ball,” I comment while taking a nibble from the slider.I should have just ordered these. The bruschetta is delicious as well but I can never turn down a reuben.
He drops his knife and fork.Yes, he’s eating a slider with silverware. Color me shocked.
“My family is a touchy subject, so bear with me.” He leans back and swallows his champagne then runs a hand through his hair. “My mom passed away when I was sixteen. She was the type to hold the family together. Immediately after she died, my father announced he was marrying a twenty-two-year-old that he’d been seeing for a few years. She moved in a week after the funeral. Gutted the whole house—she couldn't stand my mothers ‘homey vibe’ so now it looks like a modern monstrosity.” He drops his gaze to my neck and pauses for a minute.
“My sister Eliza left home shortly afterward. My father has always been an abusive asshole, and his new wife refused to raise his children from another woman, so all the responsibility fell on Liza’s shoulders. She took the youngest with her, and left us with him and the step-monster.”
I lean forward and take his hand, unfurling his fist from the cloth napkin he’s wringing to death. “I’m sorry, that sounds awful. I don’t know if I want to meet them—they sound horrible.”
He laughs loudly and shakes his head. “Oh, they will love you to your face, and be the nicest, upstanding people you have ever met. But they’re lying snakes. Just watch what you say to them, and don’t be alone with my father. Me or one of the guys will stay by your side the whole evening.”
I give him a nod and the waitress arrives with our entrees.
“Roasted chicken with lemon risotto, and beef wellington with a side of garlic mash. Can I get you anything else?” she asks politely, placing the chicken in front of me. I don’t hear what Donnie says—the aroma of the risotto has all my attention. I pick up my fork and scoop a little bit onto it. I bend over to lightly blow the steam away, and Donnie fidgets.
“Everything okay?”
He nods, cutting into his dinner. I place the fork in my mouth and close my eyes. The risotto is cooked to perfection and the flavors are explosive on my tongue. I moan in delight and do a little wiggle, making him laugh at me.
“I’ve never met someone who enjoys food as much as you do,” he says with a grin.
I shrug and scoop a little up for him to try. I hold the fork to his mouth and he opens, tasting the deliciousness. “Okay yep, that's good. I’ve never liked that frou-frou risotto crap, but I’ll admit it’s delicious.”
I roll my eyes and continue my meal, enjoying every mouthful.
“That was so good. I can’t take another bite,” I groan when the waitress asks about dessert.
“Just the check, thanks,” Donnie tells her, then offers me his hand.
“What are you doing?”
He runs his finger to my wrist and back lightly, causing me to shiver. His finger is so incredibly warm.
“This was nice. I actually don’t mind doing this whole dating thing,” he says.
I laugh. “Like Winnie never asked to go out?”
He sits back and pulls a face. “With Winnie, it was always about appearances. We had to go to the Hotel, or clubs where important people could see us together, or Paparazzi would happen to take a photo. I never liked her; she was what my father wanted. Sometimes it’s better to appease him than argue. Less painful,” he murmurs the last part with a wince.
Confused, I start to ask him what he means but the waitress arrives with the check. He drops some cash on the table before standing, offering me his hand. I accept and he lightly pulls me to my feet.
I lean up and give him a sweet kiss, holding his other cheek with my palm. “Thank you for tonight, Donnie. I’m looking forward to the ball.”
He leans down and kisses me again with more passion and I gasp. He pulls away, leading me back to his SUV and opening the door for me. I hop in but he follows, pushing me onto the middle console.
“What are—”
He cuts me off with his lips on mine. Shutting the door, he pushes the seat all the way back and pulls me onto his lap. I straddle him, resting my knee on the door panel. He reaches up with one hand to hold my neck, the other hand gripping my ass. I try and grind against him, but I can't move.
He dominates my mouth, but doesn’t go any farther. Finally releasing my neck, he lets me move my head back, panting. I reach down to his belt but he yanks my hands away.
Resting his forehead on mine, he groans. “As much as I want to destroy you in my car, we have to go.” He gently moves me to the middle again, then pops open my door and walks around to his side. I slide back to my seat as he starts the engine, and flips the music on, purposely turning the volume up.
Well okay then, I guess this date is over.
