Could I?
Finally, I said simply, “Thank you. For not pushing me.”
“You’re welcome.” He scribbled his signature on the check and shoved his credit card back into his wallet. “Shall we?”
“We didn’t finish dessert,” I said.
He smiled—and oh, it was a dazzling thing to behold. “Please, then.” He nodded toward the dessert.
I kind of wanted him to feed me again, but it dawned on me that he hadn’t yet tasted the chocolate deliciousness. I gathered my courage and dug my spoon into the cream. Then I held it to his lips.
He closed them around the crème brulée, swallowed, and then licked his full lips.
And yes, I imagined that tongue on my flesh.
On intimate parts of my flesh.
He then took another spoonful of the dessert and held it to my mouth.
We spoon-fed each other until the crème brulée was gone.
I’d never experienced anything so intimate in my life.
Feeding each other. Silly, right? Maybe it was the dessert that was so ridiculously decadent. Or maybe it was the fact that a handsome man was feeding me.
But honestly?
The intimacy came from the bond I didn’t realize I’d formed with Reid Wolfe.
I wasn’t ready for it. Maybe never would be.
But it was there, and it was as real as anything in my life.
His gaze burned me with hot blue flames. I couldn’t be imagining this intimacy.
Could I?
I patted my napkin to my lips. “Thank you for dinner. I haven’t eaten a meal so good in a long time.”
“You’re welcome, Zee.” He smiled that dazzling smile once more. “I enjoyed myself.”
“I’m sorry about…”
“About what?”
“About dragging Mo along. The truth is she wanted to meet you. And I didn’t think this was a date or anything. I mean, I know it wasn’t a date, and I—”
He touched his fingers to my lips to stop my babbling. For that was what I was doing. Nervous babbling.
“I enjoyed meeting your friend”—he dragged his finger over my jawline, making me shiver—“but this was a date.”
My cheeks grew hot. Really hot. I didn’t want to think about how red they undoubtedly were.
“I’d like to see you again while I’m in town,” Reid continued.
“I’ll… I’ll be working.”
“I know.” He continued his path with his finger, letting it meander onto my neck. “My loss.”
“I’m… You know… Free in the morning.” Already I wanted to smack myself. I slept in each morning. Much needed sleep.
“What about breakfast tomorrow, then?” he said.
“Maybe brunch would be better.”
“Brunch would be great. The Wolfe has a wonderful brunch buffet. I’ll send a car for you at, say, ten?”
“All right.” I grabbed my phone. “That should work well. I want to try to get in with my stylist sometime before my call.”
“Your call?”
“Not a phone call,” I explained. “A call means what time a person has to be at the theater for a show.”
“Got it,” he said. “Ten it is, then. Expect a car at your place, and when you arrive we’ll enjoy the Wolfe’s famous brunch.”
“I… That sounds…nice.” At least I didn’t stutter.
“Are you ready, then?”
I nodded. He slid out of the booth and then offered his hand. When I took it, warmth slid through me. Warmth coupled with sparks of energy.
This had been a date in his eyes. A date.
I’d just had a date with a billionaire. A billionaire who wanted something from me, yes, but a billionaire who also said he wouldn’t push me.
I liked him, so I chose to take him at his word.
I hoped very much I wouldn’t regret it.
18
Reid
The limo pulled in front of Zee’s building, and I walked her to the elevator.
“I told you, that thing hasn’t worked in—”
I pressed the button, and the elevator whizzed to life.
Her eyebrows popped upward. “What’s going on?”
“I made a phone call earlier today. No more climbing all those stairs, though for a dancer I’m sure four flights aren’t anything.”
We rode up to her floor and then walked to her apartment. She fumbled in her purse, and when she found her key, I took it from her.
“I don’t think I’m ready to say goodnight yet,” I said.
She reddened, the rosiness so lovely in her cheeks.
I slid the key into the keyhole and unlocked the deadbolt. “But I think you are ready to say goodnight, so goodnight, Zee.” I handed the key back to her.
She shoved it in her purse, and then she met my gaze. “Maybe I’m not ready to say goodnight either.”
This time I lifted my brows. “Oh?”
“You said…”
“Yes?”
“I’m… I’m not inviting you in. I mean, I share a bedroom with Mo. And I’m not—”
I touched her lips softly to stop her. “I’m not asking for anything like that.”
She slid her tongue between her lips, inadvertently touching my finger.
And damn, I got harder than ever. I moved my hand away quickly.
“What are you asking for, then?”
“Just this.” I leaned in and brushed my lips lightly over hers.