Flawless Desire

Caleb looks amused. “Did she, now?”

My cheeks flame, but I keep my composure. “I think I mentioned something about my task-master of a new boss.”

He chuckles. “Well, since we’re off the clock, I’ll try and go easy on you tonight.” His voice drops, and he adds in a murmur only I can hear: “Unless you’d like a firmer hand.”

Oh my God.

Heat rushes straight between my thighs. I can’t believe he just said that! The date hasn’t even begun, and already I’m feeling weak-kneed.

“We should go!” I blurt, before I melt into the rug. “Bye Kelsey.”

“Nice to meet you,” she beams at Caleb. “Take good care of her.”

“Oh, I plan to.”

I manageto pull myself together in the car, and keep my cool, despite the fact that Caleb is sitting so close to me in the backseat, making casual conversation about a book he read the other week, and the new Monet exhibition at the Met.

You’ve been on dates before, I remind myself. This isn’t some foreign ritual. We’ll eat, we’ll talk…

You’ll fall into his arms and ravish him.

OK, clearly I need to be on alert, especially with so much at stake. And Caleb isn’t some Greek god, after all. He’s a human man, bad habits, and flaws, just like anyone else. I just need to focus on those, that’s all.

By the time we arrive at the restaurant, I’ve just about convinced myself that I can handle whatever the date throws at me. “Let me guess,” I say to Caleb as we approach the front doors. “The hottest restaurant in the city with a waiting list a mile long?”

“Not quite.” He gives me a mysterious grin, and we step inside.

I’m expecting a fine-dining establishment with white-gloved servers and crystal chandeliers. But to my surprise, I find we’re in a cosy, cute bistro with homey décor and young, casually dressed patrons.

“Oh.” I look around, taking it in.

“Of course, we could always go to Per Se if you prefer—”

“No!” I yelp. “This looks great.” A waitress passes with a platter of amazing looking food. “Really great. Thank you.”

The hostess seems to know him. Well. “Mr. Sterling! How great to see you!” She gives him a flirtatious smile and whisks us off to a secluded candlelit table in an alcove. “Only our best table for you, naturally.”

“Thank you,” he nods, but he barely looks at her, too busy pulling my chair out for me.

I sit, feeling a glow—and way more relaxed than if we’d been at some fancy place.

So, it turns out, Caleb Sterling knows how to treat a woman he is on a date with. His eyes haven’t left me for a moment. He’s every bit the chivalrous gentleman.

And yet I know better. I’ve heard that dirty mouth of his in action, and it’s clear that he isn’t all talk.

He sits beside me at the small table. Too close.

I grab the menu. “Looks great,” I chatter, trying to ignore his arm brushing mine. “Have you been here before? What do you like?”

“Anything’s good.” He doesn’t look at the menu, he’s too busy studying me. “You’re nervous.”

“No.” I lie.

“You don’t need to be,” he says, and I give a snort of laughter. “What?”

“Please.” I give him a look. “You’re you. Of course I’m nervous. You’ve already made it clear your… Intentions for the evening.”

Caleb chuckles. “We’re in a public place. You hardly have to worry about me propositioning you right here in the middle of the dining room. Unless you’re into that,” he adds, with a sparkle of mischief in his eyes. And this time I really do relax.