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“I would be charmed to walk this woman to the table. I haven’t had enough time with her.”
Jealousy spiked but Emma looked at him over her shoulder and he read that command in her gaze like she’d shouted it from the rooftop: Behave.
Mrs. Stevenson’s thick perfume clouded around him and made him want to sneeze. She dug her nails into his arm as they followed Emma and Mr. Stevenson across the floor of the establishment. The chandeliers that hung above them shone brightly, their flickering candles highlighting the crystal.
A slight tug on his suitcoat brought his gaze to the woman on his arm. She just smiled and gestured around the place.
“This is a nice restaurant.”
“We like it.” He held her chair for her and made a point of leaning down to kiss Emma on the cheek before claiming his own seat. Across from Mr. Stevenson, he gave the man a smile as their menus were handed to them. Under the table, a foot grazed his own and he nearly jerked it away. Stevenson’s wife sent him a wicked smile and Linc knew this was going to be a long night.
But he had a goal in mind and he needed to focus on that. Sliding his chair closer to Emma, he made sure his feet were in the clear.
…
Emma made a slow perusal of the menu before her. Stomach in knots, she didn’t really want to eat. The last thing she needed was to throw up or to drop something on her dress. She wasn’t the slightest bit nervous for Linc. As for herself, however, and the ways she could fuck up tonight, well that number was high.
“See something you like?” Linc whispered in her ear as he settled one arm around the back of her chair.
“Probably a salad,” Mrs. Stevenson said, looking at them over the top of her menu.
Linc tensed and Emma touched his thigh, hoping he didn’t rise to the bait. “It all looks delicious.”
“Haven’t you been here before?” Mr. Stevenson set his menu down and placed his gaze on her.
Emma chuckled. “No, not really somewhere my daughter would enjoy.”
“I like that you put your daughter first, Ms. Emma.” He smiled at her.
“Emma is always putting people before herself. It’s part of what drew me to her.” He brushed his lips over the shell of her ear.
Their server appeared. “Are we ready to order?”
Linc tipped his head to Emma. “Freckles?”
“I’m ready.” His gaze heated. “To order.”
After ordering her chicken sauté with maple cream sauce, walnuts, grape tomatoes, dried cranberries, linguine and asiago cheese and pairing it with a white wine, Linc ordered the surf and turf but declined alcohol.
“Not drinking, son?”
“Precious cargo to get home.” His thumb skimmed her shoulder in an oddly relaxing caress.
Emma noticed how Mrs. Stevenson continued to send doe-eyed looks at Linc—who focused on Mr. Stevenson and her, not the wife.
She listened as Mr. Stevenson made small talk. He peppered Linc with a few other questions about the center. They seemed to be redundant ones that had been asked before but Linc never hesitated with his answers. Emma thanked the server when their food was delivered. She looked over at Linc’s filet mignon, lobster meat, with the house hollandaise, as well as the mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. Damn, that looked delicious.
“Want a bite?” He cut her a small piece and held the fork to her.
She opened her mouth and couldn’t even stop the moan when the filet mignon hit her tastebuds. From the heat in his gaze, he’d heard. Emma chewed and swallowed all without looking away from him. Electricity sparked between them as he never dropped his gaze. He finally lowered it to track the trail she made with her tongue along her lips.
“Delicious,” she murmured, suddenly conscious of the other couple at the table.
“I would like to put something out there,” Mr. Stevenson said, interrupting the bubble which had surrounded them.
“What’s that?” Linc faced the man across the table from them as he began to eat again.
“Come to San Antonio.”
She shared a look with Linc. This had to be good, right?
“You want me to come to San Antonio?” Linc placed his utensils down on the plate, giving Mr. Stevenson his full attention.
“I think that would be a great idea, honey,” Mrs. Stevenson cooed, her gaze never leaving Linc.
Emma wanted to toss her water in the woman’s face…to help her cool down.
“I want both of you to come.” Mr. Stevenson took a bite and chewed.
Panic exploded in her chest. Go to San Antonio? With Linc? Alone? What about her daughter? What about her determination to not climb him like a spider monkey and beg for one night with him?
“I want you to give the same presentation to my board that you gave me. I think it will go a long way in gaining interest from more of them.” He leaned and steepled his fingers. “Unless you don’t feel comfortable doing that.”
