“Sit,” Jack says as he pulls out a chair for me.
I tuck in my dress and sit. There’s an expensive-looking bottle of white wine in an ice bucket and a beautiful pink flower on each plate.
Jack takes my flower and puts it behind my ear.
I smile as he leans down and kisses me. It’s a soft gentle kiss that sends waves of heat all the way down to my toes. It’s the perfect way to start a romantic dinner.
“You definitely know how to spoil a lady,” I say as he sits across from me, looking unbelievably hot in that grey suit. His jacket fits his round rugged shoulders perfectly and is just tight enough around his biceps to get my heart pounding.
“Stay with me and I’ll spoil you every day,” he says.
I’m about to ask if he’s joking when the waitress comes over and serves our wine. She’s about my age and stunning, but Jack doesn’t even glance her way. His eyes never leave mine.
I’ve never felt so beautiful, so alluring, so wanted as I do with Jack. It’s like a drug I know I won’t be able to get enough of. I’m hooked on it. I’m at his mercy now.
Every day, I’m going to need my fix.
“Cheers,” he says as he lifts up his wine glass. “To a new beginning.”
“To a new beginning,” I repeat with a smile.
We clink glasses and take a sip. Unsurprisingly, this doesn’t taste like the wine I buy from the supermarket on Fridays after work.
“Tell me everything about yourself,” he says as he watches me curiously.
“Everything?” I say with a laugh.
“I want to know everything. I’ve never been so intrigued by a woman before. You are so captivating, Nia.”
My eyebrows raise in shock. “I am?”
He nods before taking another sip of his wine.
“Tell me about your family. Are your parents in Atlanta?”
I tell him all about my mom and dad, and how I’m an only child. “It was lonely growing up sometimes, but I did have a lot of cousins living within walking distance, so it wasn’t too bad.”
“I’m an only child too,” he says as he takes my hand. “I know what you mean. My dad was in the army and we traveled around a lot. It seemed like every three years we were in a new country.”
We talk about our lives until the appetizers come—a delicious clam chowder and some mouth-watering crab cakes.
He’s smart, observant, and a very good listener. By the time the main course comes, we’ve finished the first bottle of wine and I realize I’m having a great time.
“Mahi mahi with a lemon garlic cream sauce,” the chef says as he personally delivers our plates. “Cooked to perfection. Enjoy.”
“Thank you, William,” Jack says with a nod.
“Thank you,” I say brightly as the chef ducks away with a bowed head. “It looks delicious.”
We both try it and moan as the fish melts in our mouths.
“It must be nice living like this,” I say as I look around at the luxurious estate. “Being waited on and having a chef prepare all of your meals.”
“Not going to lie, it’s pretty incredible,” he says with a laugh. “Especially considering I can’t cook to save my life.”
“Finally something you’re not good at,” I say with a teasing smile.
“I’m not good at dating,” he answers. “Every date I’ve been on has been a bust.”
“How come?”
“I don’t know… I was never interested, I guess.”
“How about now?” I ask with a flirtatious look. “Are you interested?”
“You want to know if I’m interested?”
“Yeah.”
“Marry me.”
A laugh bursts out of me. “What?!”
His face is serious as he repeats it. “Marry me.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“I am. Marry me.”
“It’s our first date! And we’re still on the main course!”
“Yeah, and I already know all I need to know.”
“You do?”
“Yes. I do.”
I laugh as we stare at each other for a long moment.
“I think I’ve discovered why you’re so bad at dating,” I say with a laugh. “Usually when the guy proposes marriage on a first date, it’s a bit of a red flag.”
“I know, but I don’t know what else to do. I feel like I’m going to die without you in my life, Nia.”
I put my hand on his and resist telling him that I feel the same way.
“Eat your fish,” I say with a smile. “And don’t pull out any rings before dessert.”
Chapter Seven
Jack
* * *
“You’re all dismissed for the evening,” I tell the head maid Marla when she takes away our empty dessert plates. “Please have everyone cleared out in the next ten minutes.”
Nia is watching me with those curious brown eyes. She looks radiant in the candlelight, her dark skin shining beautifully. I love staring at her. I can’t get enough of those juicy lips and her straight black hair. I just want to sink my hands into it and get a feel of those lips again as they slide up and down my cock. I’m hard just thinking about it.