Chapter Six
Dixon
I wasn’t too much of a man to admit to being nervous. Sitting outside the restaurant, waiting for Melody, I tried to tone down my eagerness. I wanted this to work, and I hoped the connection I’d felt the other night wasn’t my imagination. We had similar priorities and goals, similar desires. Plus, she was beautiful. It might take some time to show her we were meant to be together, that she could have her store and a relationship with me, but I was a patient man. I’d waited this long to find the right woman, a few more weeks, or even months if that’s how long it took, were nothing if I ended up where I wanted.
At five minutes to six, a newer, white BMW SUV pulled into the spot next to me, and it wasn’t a surprise when I looked over and found Melody in the driver’s seat. She hadn’t said much about her family other than that she was from Pittsburgh, but the fact that she had a chef growing up was a big clue to their means. It was also evident in her mannerisms and appearance. She wasn’t snooty or pretentious, but she was polite and put together in a way that screamed wealth.
When she glanced over and saw me staring at her, she moved to get out of her vehicle. I returned her wave with a pointed finger and said, “Stay there.” There was no way she could hear me, but she definitely got my meaning because she nodded and lifted her hands in the air.
I opened my door and walked around the back of my truck to reach her.
“Hey, how are you?” I asked, after opening her door and helping her down. She clicked the locks and turned toward me.
“I’m good. How are you? Are you hungry? I sure am.” Her rambling gave me hope that she was as nervous as I was and managed to relax me somewhat. It also showed me another side to her personality, one that was a little vulnerable and very cute.
Her long wool coat covered her from neck to mid-calf, but even all bundled up she looked gorgeous. Her hair was down in bouncy curls that framed her face.
“You look beautiful, although you should have a hat on. It’s freezing.” I took a chance and leaned forward to brush a kiss on her cheek in greeting. Her skin was soft and still warm from the heat of her SUV. Her breath hitched slightly at the contact, but she didn’t push me away.
“I spent a half-hour on my hair and a hat would have ruined it. Plus, the restaurant’s right next to the parking lot and I knew I wouldn’t have a long walk.” Her tone was sassy, but not bitchy, and even though I tried to look stern, I failed when she batted her lashes and smiled.
“Well, we wouldn’t want all your hard work destroyed, but I also don’t want you to catch a cold, so let’s get inside.” I offered my arm and she immediately looped her hand through. “I’m also starving. Gram makes a big lunch after church every Sunday, but that was at 11:30 this morning.”
“Good thing the portions here are huge. I always end up taking enough home for another meal.”
We walked briskly through the lot and down the shoveled sidewalk to the front door. She thanked me when I held the door for her, and again when I helped her out of her coat and hung it on the rack in the lobby. Her easy acceptance of my assistance gave me more encouragement that we were a perfect match. I wanted to do those things for my woman, not because she wasn’t capable, as a previous girlfriend had accused me of thinking, but because I liked taking care of her in small ways.
“Wow.” The word slipped out when I saw what she’d worn for our date. A clingy dress that hugged her in all the right places without being even a little inappropriate. Another pair of heeled leather boots added a hint of sexy and made me think very inappropriate thoughts.
“I hope that means you like my outfit,” she said after I’d stood there in silence a moment too long.
“Yes. Very much. You look fantastic.” I didn’t tell her I wanted to unwrap her like a present on my birthday. We were nowhere near ready for that. “Are you ready to eat?” I held out my hand and she didn’t hesitate to grab hold.
“Yes, please.”
The hostess seated us in a recessed booth in the back of the half-empty restaurant, giving the illusion of almost complete privacy.
As soon as we sat down our waiter appeared with glasses of water and the drink menu, which we both declined. He recited the evening’s specials and set down a basket of bread and butter before leaving us alone.
“What are you in the mood for?” she asked, peering at me over the top of her menu. Her bright blue eyes sparkled in the low lighting, making me think about things that were decidedly not on the list of specials tonight. Luckily, I didn’t have to answer because she continued, her nerves seemingly gone. “I like the carbonara and the shrimp scampi, but that chicken special sounded good, too.”
“I think I want something traditional with red sauce,” I replied. “Know what’s good in that category?”
“Grace always gets the chicken parmesan and loves it. I’ve had their ravioli and those are delicious, too.” She lowered her menu so I could watch her face. She was chewing on her bottom lip as she tried to make a decision. “Everything is good here. It’s so hard to decide.”
“You’re adorable when you’re thinking hard.” It wasn’t the smoothest line, but all my suave seemed to have fled the second I laid eyes on her the other night. And, judging from the pink tint that now stained her pale skin, she didn’t mind my clumsy compliment.
“Thank you, I think,” she whispered, then returned her eyes to the menu, but I reached over and tilted her chin up.
“I like how adorable you are, and how beautiful you are, and I’m not afraid to tell you. There’s no need to be embarrassed.” I didn’t ever want her to be embarrassed around me. I wanted us to be open and honest about all things, including the negatives, even when it was uncomfortable.
She studied me for a second, and I thought she’d leave it at that, but then she spoke.
“I like that you’re not afraid to tell me what you’re feeling, even if it makes me blush. I appreciate honesty. I don’t have the time or energy to play games.”
“I think we should both promise each other complete honesty during our relationship, whatever it turns out to be and for however long it lasts.” It was a bold statement, but I wasn’t beating around the bush with her. I knew what I wanted.
“What if there’s something I’m not ready to discuss? It takes time to build trust.” She took a sip of water and met my gaze, waiting for my answer. She’d asked the question directly, with no hint of sarcasm or deceit. I didn’t think she planned on hiding things from me, she just needed to get comfortable with me before she let down all her walls.
“Then you say you’re not ready to talk about whatever it is, as long as it’s not something directly related to our relationship or you’re trying to cover something up. That will earn you some consequences.” Her eyes widened and she shivered in her seat. “I’m a fair man but I hate lying and manipulation. I expect honesty and will give that in return.”
“Are there consequences if you’re not being truthful?” Her sass was back, which I took as a good sign.
“No. I’m in charge. I dole out the consequences.” I leaned forward, staring into her eyes, willing her to understand how much I meant my words. “But, Melody? I swear I will never intentionally hurt you. I might make a mistake, but I won’t lie, cheat, or abuse your trust in any way. My version of consequences might sting a bit, but never anything lasting or permanent.”
She swallowed and took a deep breath but held my gaze.
“I’ve played around with consequences in the bedroom, but never in real life. I don’t want someone controlling my every move. I need to be able to live my life.”
This conversation had turned heavy, fast. But here we were.
“I won’t control your every move. I’ll want to know where you’ll be out of concern, but you don’t need my permission. I’ll want you to make your safety a priority because I care. And I’ll want you to treat me with the same respect I’ll give you.” I paused and let that sink in for a bit. “For me, being in control isn’t about bossing you around, it’s about making sure you’re safe and happy and healthy. It’s about having a clear line of authority when decisions need to be made and we don’t see eye to eye.”
“So you’d have veto power if we didn’t agree on something?”