Madame Osei was giving him a look that was chastising but entertained at the same time. Meanwhile, Marie was just staring at Toby.
“But I saw you,” Marie said, at a loss for words.
Toby hummed and shook his head. “I think you just got lucky when you guessed my name.”
Madame Osei just shook her head and before Marie could argue she clapped her hands together and spoke, stopping Marie’s line of question.
“You seem drawn to Toby. Maybe you two have quite the connection,” she suggested with a grin. “Perhaps you should start with him for your first date?”
It seemed like a good suggestion, though Marie couldn’t shake the feeling that she was missing something. Toby was right. It was impossible for him to have been in her dreams, but if that was the case how did she recognize him so quickly and how did she know his name? Her mind was desperate for an answer and so she just decided that she must have seen him the first time she came in and just didn’t remember it. She’d seen a lot of things on that first visit and she’d been so nervous that she wouldn’t have been surprised if she couldn’t remember seeing certain things.
Maybe Toby had been curled up with one of the woman, stroking their hair and whispering soft nothings in their ear. Maybe she saw him and heard the woman whisper his name sensually. Maybe Marie wanted that experience and so her brain logged it away and brought it back to the forefront during the incredibly vivid dream she’d had a few nights before. That was a logical explanation that she could handle and so she left it at that.
“I think you’re right,” Marie finally said after a long moment.
Madame Osei smiled. “Have you made your choice then?”
Marie nodded and Toby stepped forward, taking Marie’s hand and pressing it to his soft, full lips. God they felt just like they had in her dream. Madame Osei nodded and looked between them.
“Have fun, you two, and don’t forget our rules,” Madame Osei said softly, waggling her finger.
“Of course,” Marie whispered, her eyes wide as she took in the tall man.
He was wearing a casual suit rather than a golden ring and silk. He wore no tie and the first few buttons of his undershirt were undone, revealing his strong chest and the intricate tattoos she’d seen in her dream.
Toby offered his arm to her and everyone else in the room groaned, clearly disappointed at having not been picked. It was a bit of a rush to hear everyone so disappointed at not getting to go with her. Marie grinned and stared up at Toby, getting lost in his golden eyes.
“Where are we going to go?” Marie asked breathlessly.
“Where ever your heart desires, beautiful.”
She chewed her lip and looked up at him. “I haven’t been on a date in a long time. What do you suggest?”
“I think I have an idea,” he said with a grin as she took his arm.
Marie had no idea what this man had planned, she could only hope that it would end with them between the sheets.
Chapter Seventeen
They didn’t waste much time. Toby didn’t seem interested in staying in the warehouse and Marie couldn’t really blame him. If this was his job, he probably enjoyed being able to get out and enjoy a night on the town every now and then.
As they left the warehouse, arm in arm, Marie glanced into the bakery, surprised to see Marco standing at the window, looking a bit jealous. Why in the world would Marco be jealous? The obvious answer made her cheeks flush and she ignored it, turning to look up at Toby instead.
“Where are you taking me?”
“It’s a surprise,” Toby said, leading her past her own car and to a black sports car that looked like it cost a small fortune.
He opened the door and she slipped inside, pulling the skirt of her dress down nervously. Toby noticed it as he got into the driver’s seat. He cocked a brow as he started the engine and reached over, pulling the skirt back up just a little to reveal her smooth, pale thighs.
“Perfect,” he said with a smile.
She blushed again and cleared her throat. “My ex-husband didn’t like it when I showed a lot of skin,” she explained. “I’ve had this dress for years but I’ve never worn it and that’s probably the reason.”
“What a shame,” Toby said softly. “No one should try to tame beauty,” he explained. “Rather, the beauty should find someone who can handle her as she is.”
The words conveyed a simple meaning, but they sounded so profound coming from this golden Adonis. Marie blushed and smiled. “I’ll have to remember that.”
“You should. You deserve more than a man who would simply cover you up and hide you from the world.