It shouldn’t matter since Jack has already seen me totally nude in all sorts of revealing positions, but a date is different, and I want to look nice for him. Since it’s summer, I choose a pretty sundress and a pair of sandals. I debate putting my hair up since it’s so hot out, but there’s something about the way Jack looks at me that makes me think he likes my curls, so I decide to leave it down.
I’ve never worn a lot of makeup, so I decide to just go with a little mascara and lip gloss, and then I head out to my car. Since everyone around here knows who Jack is, we’ve decided to meet for dinner at a restaurant called Le Seraviche one town over.
Jack is already waiting outside the restaurant when I pull up. He’s incredibly handsome in a black button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up showing off his strong forearms, and a pair of gray slacks emphasizing the long length of his legs. His black hair is brushed back away from his face, and before I get out of my car, I take a moment to drink in this gorgeous man. I am one lucky girl.
Smiling, I make my way over and immediately he grins.
“You’re so beautiful,” he says, pressing a kiss to my neck.
My cheeks heat up, and at this rate I swear he’s going to think I have a permanent blushing problem. “Thanks Jack,” I murmur. “You look really nice, too.”
He smiles and takes my hand and then leads me inside where a hostess directs us to a private table in the back of the restaurant.
“I thought it would be nice for us to have some privacy,” he says while holding my chair out for me to take a seat.
“Good thinking. This place is amazing,” I breathe, looking around the elegant space. There’s a small pool with a fountain in the middle of the dining area, and the lights are low. White jacketed waiters bustle about, delivering orders, and the other customers are very chic as they speak in hushed voices.
The handsome billionaire sits across from me as the waiter takes our drink orders. “I know the chef here, so I can say with certainty that everything on the menu is good. You’re good no matter what you choose.”
Without really looking at the menu, I say, “I think I’m just going to have a salad.”
My boyfriend frowns.
“Dakota, look at me.” I slowly look up to meet his eyes. “You don’t come to a nice restaurant like this and eat a salad.”
“I know. It’s just, well … my mom says eating calories this late in the day is why I’m so—”
“So what?” His voice is clipped, almost angry, and I look away.
“You know. Denise just thinks I should lose a few—”
“Stop.” Jack gets up and moves his chair so that he’s now sitting next to me instead of across from me. Then, he grabs the seat of my chair and turns it so I’m angled towards him, and runs his hands down my bare arms, and then over my hips to my thighs. If we weren’t sequestered in the back, the other customers would be scandalized by his familiarity, certainly.
But Jack means business. When he meets my eyes, his are dark with anger, and his voice is thick when he speaks. “Your curves are what a woman should be made of. They’re sexy as hell, and I don’t want to ever hear you talking about needing to eat less or losing weight. Your body is perfect. Understand?”
I just stare at him, my heart flapping like it’s grown wings, and electricity runs through my body from his touch.
“Say you understand, Dakota,” he growls.
I nod, blinking to keep myself from tearing up. Maybe the mascara was a bad idea tonight. “I understand,” is my soft reply.
“Good,” he nods. “Now, what do you really want?” he rasps while nodding at my menu.
I stare at Jack for a minute while my heart swells. There is more to this man than how handsome he is. He is kind, giving, and won’t take no for an answer. He supports me and loves me the way I am, without caring what popular culture or other people think. I swallow hard. I’m so lucky to be with this alpha male, and I’ve fallen deeply in love.
Wait, love?
It’s true. I suppose it happened somewhere along the way, slowly and steadily, and now I’m head over heels in love with my ex-boyfriend’s father. Yet, it’s nothing borne of revenge plots or weird fantasies. Instead, I’ve fallen in love with Jack Straithmore because of who he is and because of how well he treats me. It’s that simple.
But right now isn’t the time to tell him. We’re on our first official date, and I don’t want to ruin it by breaking down and confessing my heart. So I merely smile through the tears in my eyes and choose an entrée.