“Here you are.” The hostess stops at a table in the back of the restaurant, and my cheeks heat when Gideon rises from his seat and takes me in for the first time.
“Thank you,” I tell her before she leaves me with my date. He looks so handsome; I can’t imagine he wants me. “Hi.” My voice comes out shy and meek, and the blush that warmed my cheeks now travels down my neck.
“You look gorgeous,” he tells me. Reaching for my elbows, he pulls me closer but stops before he can kiss me. The warmth of him overtakes me, and I can’t stop myself from wanting to push my body against his. “I want to do filthy things to you, but I promised this is merely a professional dinner.”
His admission doesn’t stop the dirty thoughts in my mind, and he steps back, gesturing for me to sit. The booth is comfortable as I slip into the cushioned seating. Once he’s joined me, I watch as he pours me a glass of white wine.
“I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I just got white.”
Shrugging, I tell him, “I don’t mind. White is good. I heard it’s great with seafood.” My knowledge of alcohol only goes so far, and it shows when I look up at him, and he smiles. “I mean, I don’t really drink all that much. But I like a glass with dinner every now and then. Do you? I mean—”
“Little one,” Gideon calls me in a serious, dominant tone. “Breathe.” He reaches for my hand and holds it up to his mouth. “It’s okay. Just relax.”
“I’m sorry, I must sound like an idiot,” I tell him, sighing as I sit back and regard Gideon. I feel out of my depth. I don’t know why if I was with him in a sex club. Well, a BDSM club, which isn’t as seedy as it sounds.
“You don’t. Honestly, I’m fairly nervous as well,” he admits, looking at me over the rim of his glass. His lips suck in the alcohol, and I’m mesmerized by the way they remain wet. His tongue darts out of his mouth to lick at the moisture, which causes me to squirm in my seat.
“You can’t be nervous. I’m sure you’re an expert at this sort of thing,” I tell him, waving my hand around me. “I mean, you’re a tad older than me.”
“Granted, I am a few years older, but I don’t date often. My job keeps me busy, and normally I just go to Temptation to get the edge off. Other than that, my focus is work.”
“You sound like my father,” I tell him honestly. “But you don’t seem as cold and aloof as he is.”
“I can be aloof and noncommittal at times.” Gideon takes another sip of his drink before he sets it down. “But mostly, I like to enjoy my time with the people around me. I believe that time is precious.”
“It is. And I like that you think like that.” It’s my turn to take a sip of wine, and the cool liquid slips down my throat with ease as the flavors burst on my tastebuds. “So, there’s no wife or girlfriend?”
“No. I’m not averse to it, but I just haven’t met someone I clicked with. What about you?” he asks.
“I’m still figuring out what I want. I enjoy the scenes, and things like that, but I haven’t found a partner I’ve trusted enough to really explore my kinks.”
Gideon nods as he considers my response. “Trust is the most important thing about any relationship, but of course, for one with limits being pushed, you need to be with someone you feel safe enough to put your life in their hands.”
I never thought about it that way before, but he’s right. Nodding, I smile. “That’s very true. Although I hope I’ll be able to find someone like that soon.” When I say this, I meet his intense brown stare that seems like he’s trying to read my thoughts by just looking at me.
“Perhaps you already have,” he counters, tipping his wine glass against mine, and I can’t help but smile at his confidence.
“I don’t doubt that I would like to scene with you again,” I admit, setting the glass down. This is the man who’s already watched me orgasm, and he’s listened to me sing. Nothing I can tell him now will change that I want him.
“Then I suppose I better make that happen.” With a wink, he refills our glasses, and a waiter appears with two large platters. One with a selection of bread and cheeses, the other with cold cuts and dips that look so appetizing my stomach grumbles once more.
The waiter leaves us with an order from Gideon to bring another bottle of wine. He then turns his attention back to me before gesturing to the table.