“Have a nice day,” the clerk said, still no recognition.
“Well, that was underwhelming.”
“I’m not sure what you expected.”
“Me neither. But I’m glad I got my hammer.”
“What are you building?”
She shrugged. She was going to build an addition to the bar, but that
was a touchy subject. “You never know.”
They took the limo to a little restaurant downtown, and the air outside smelled divine. Gage was an amazing date. He held doors, pulled out chairs, and took her coat and insisted the hostess find a place to hang it. She never met such a thoughtful man.
“Where did you learn such manners?”
Something shrewd flashed in his eyes. “I’m always watching my betters and learning.”
Folding her hands under her chin, she studied him. “And who do you consider your betters?”
“Despite what you assume, I’m humble. Almost everyone I meet I see as better than me.”
“No way.”
He sipped his drink while watching her with the eyes of a poker player hiding a full house. She was fascinated by his confidence, and yet he claimed to have so many hidden insecurities. She didn’t doubt how easy it would be for him to get any woman he wanted.
“Why did you want to go out with me?” she asked.
“You’re different.”
“You mean weird.”
“No, I mean different. You’re stunning, but you’re also hungry. You want success. I respect that.”
She drew back. Was this some sort of a game for him? “Is that why you’re going after my land?”
“It’s technically the bank’s land, and I put a bid in before we met.”
She didn’t want to talk about the land, because it brought about too many confusing emotions. Running a finger up the condensation of her glass, she asked, “How long do you plan to stay in Jasper Falls?”
“As long as it takes.”
“It?”
“I’ll leave once I’ve accomplished what I want.”
“And where do I fall into that list?”
“Right now, you’re at the top.”
Her stomach flipped with a woosh of desire. “I want…”
“Here you go,” the waitress said, setting a steaming cast iron dish of pizza between them. “It’s very hot.”
“Thank you,” Gage said with a look that told the woman they had everything they needed at the moment. As soon as she was gone, his attention returned to Perrin. “You were saying?”
She shook her head. She’d been about to tell him all the ways he made her want things she probably shouldn’t. She might have even accepted his invitation to New Orleans and blown off the entire weekend, just to get lost in his eyes and kisses.
“I forgot what I was going to say.”
Disappointment flashed in his eyes, but he covered it with a fake smile. It was the first time she sensed any sort of ingenuine emotion from him. “Let’s eat.”
The pizza was orgasmic. The thick, crusty shell was a flawless mixture of crisp, oven-baked perfection and savory seasoning. The sauce was madness and the toppings were exquisite. It was so good she ate until her stomach hurt and mourned that she couldn’t eat any more.
“Happy?” he asked as she fell back in her seat and sighed.
She laughed and rubbed her stomach. “I look pregnant. I can’t fit another bite.”
He stared at her body, his eyes thoughtful and kind. “Do you want kids?”
Whoa. Big question for a first date. She shifted her posture and sat up. “Um, that’s a little personal.”
“Sorry.” He frowned and stared at the table, brow pinching. “Actually, no I’m not. Why is that personal?”
“Well, we don’t really know each other.”
“I had my tongue in your mouth an hour ago.”
“Wow. Okay. Um, I guess I always pictured myself with children, but anymore… No, I don’t want kids.” It was clear her high had worn off, because her guard was back up. Maybe the food had sobered her.
“What changed?”
“Having a family requires trust. I don’t trust anyone.”
“But that could change.”
“I doubt it.” She smiled, but it was more of a mocking gesture than anything else. “If only there was a pill to fix a woman’s baggage.”
He frowned. “His bullshit isn’t your baggage, Perrin.”
She folded her napkin and set it on the table. “Well, someone has to carry it. And he left it in my life.”
“Maybe just put it down.”
“It’s not that easy.” She blew out a frustrated breath. “Look, this is a really touchy subject for me, and I think I gave you the wrong idea earlier. You gave me that pill and I was a little buzzed and loose-lipped. I’d rather not talk about this stuff.”
He held up his hands. “Fair enough.”
Wow, he was actually understanding and really patient. She smiled. “I can’t believe we’re in Chicago. Do we have time to walk around?”
“Where do you want to go?”
She glanced out the window. “Everywhere.”
They left the restaurant and boarded a tour bus. It was a double-decker with a live tour guide, who described all the various places they passed and made some corny jokes along the way.