Minding Amy

Amy gestured at the plate with her fork. "Mm, this is really good."

"I'm glad you approve." He gave her a lingering stare that made anticipation thrum in the pit of her belly.

As she finished eating, she congratulated him again. "I can never do this, you know, get a range of dishes all ready at once."

"Thai food lends itself to staggered preparation. I only get to do it occasionally so I like to push the boat out. Besides, I wanted to be sure I had plenty of offerings to tempt your palate." He paused." I want to keep you satisfied."

He gave a suggestive smile.

She returned it. "Where did you learn to cook so well?"

"I grew up in a single parent family. My dad passed on when I was a child. My mother had to work to support us, so we all had to learn to chip in with chores and look after each other. I was the only boy in the house but I had to learn to cook too. My mother was a staunch believer in arming her kids with all manner of survival skills."

"Your mother sounds like an amazing woman. I'm sorry about your dad."

"Whilst I would love to have known him better, it was a long time ago now. It made us a closer, stronger family unit."

It surprised her to hear him talking about family that way, like he really valued it, but she was learning about him all the time. "My parents are more traditional, and I'm an only child."

"I gathered that from your doting father."

"I know. What is he like?" She rolled her eyes. "He's so overprotective. I've done advanced self-defense training and he knows it. However, your company is much appreciated, even though I don't need you." She added that on purpose, trying to get him to rise to it

He resisted comment, but gave her a sexy once-over look that practically scorched her.

"Would you rather be elsewhere?" she added, savoring the delicious slow burn between them.

"Absolutely not."

That was good to know. Personally, she wouldn't trade places with anyone in the world. Right at that moment the chemistry between them was simmering away, the atmosphere in the room vibrant with reciprocated attraction. Long after the meal was done and he'd cleared the table they sat there, sipping wine and talking about everything from their favorite foods to favorite destinations, the mutual arousal building slowly to fever pitch as they eyed each other across the table.

"Shopping in New York," she told him, "after a leisurely cruise over on an ocean liner. I'd like to do that one day."

"How about drinking wine in a villa in Tuscany," he offered, "with the city walls of Sienna in sight?"

"That does sound gloriously lazy and idyllic. Have you ever done it?"

"Not yet. It's one of many fantasies." He eyed her cleavage.

She shifted in her seat. "You have good fantasies."

He lifted an eyebrow. "Are we still talking about travel?"

"I'm not sure." Anticipation knotted inside her. "Have your thoughts strayed into other types of fantasies?"

He nodded, and when he did his eyes blazed at her.

She had to sit on the edge of her seat and squeeze her thighs together in an effort to control the desire thrumming inside her. "Tell me what's on your mind."

"You're sure?" His gaze was so intense it was unsettling.

She nodded.

"I want you," he stated. "In fact, I've had an erection for quite some time now."

His comment was so blatant she stared across at him, speechless, her skin tingling wildly.

"I've been thinking about the way it felt when I was inside you." He pushed his chair back from the table. It seemed like a deliberate move. "That only seems to make me want you more."