I spot Tim the moment I get out of my vehicle. He’s standing near the entrance looking like a GQ model in a black suit with a white shirt and dark tie. The crisp fabric highlights his broad shoulders and long legs, and I want to lick that bronzed throat. Steady, the voice in my head chides. You haven’t even said hello yet.
I get out of my car and wobble towards him in my high heels.
“Hi,” I say shyly. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”
His blue eyes flare, and I catch him staring a moment too long at my bosom.
“Don’t worry about it,” he growls. “You look beautiful, and I haven’t been waiting long at all.” He offers his elbow to me like a gentleman. “Ready to head inside?”
I giggle as I take his arm, slipping my hand into the muscular loop. “Of course.”
It feels right to be with Tim like this, and once inside, I let the hostess know that we have a reservation. She nods, eyeing my date appreciatively as I grow warm, knowing that he’s with me, and that he only has eyes for me. Then, the woman leads us to our seats and we settle into the plush booth. Lugo’s is a fancy place, with subtle red-brick walls and heavy, dark furniture. A wooden fan above us swirls gently, and the lighting is dim and romantic, enhanced by cream table cloths and flickering candlelight. As we settle in, Tim smiles. He’s so gorgeous and I desperately want to kiss him, but I hold back.
“So how are you Petal?” he asks in a low growl, once our hostess leaves. I gasp, my eyes going wide, and he chuckles. “Did you not think I’d recognize you? Sweetheart, that was one of the best nights of my life. Of course I recognized you the moment you placed your bid. But what were you doing at the auction?”
I blush hotly again. OMG, how do I explain this?
“Well, it was kind of a coincidence,” I begin. “Yes, we did meet at the Krazy Kat, but that was just chance, I promise. I figured that we wouldn’t see each other again, but a friend invited me to the bachelor auction. I had no idea you were going to be in it, until we actually got there. I know they had a brochure with the bachelors’ names on them, but I swear, I didn’t even know your full name until the night of the event.”
He settles back in his seat, apparently satisfied with my answer. But I’m shaky inside because I’ve only told half the truth. This would be the perfect time to reveal that I’m actually Angelina, his former stepsister, yet all I can do is smile with delight as he takes my hand.
At that moment, a waiter apporoaches for our orders.
“Have you gotten a chance to look at the menu?” the waiter inquires politely. Tim looks at me, and I nod.
“I’ll have the garden salad, and a glass of chardonnay please.”
My handsome date frowns from across the candlelit table.
“That’s all?” he inquires. “Honey, please don’t hold back. I’m paying for dinner and I want you to enjoy yourself. Please, order anything you like on the menu.”
I swallow and smile at him before turning to the waiter once more.
“And also the lobster ravioli, please,” I add belatedly. “Plus a slice of chocolate cake at the end.”
The waiter and Tim both laugh, but the big man seizes my hand.
“That a girl,” he growls. “I like a girl with an appetite, and especially when she orders dessert up front.” Then, he orders the steak and shrimp and a glass of pinot noir. “And toss another slice of the chocolate cake in too,” he instructs.
“Certainly,” the waiter bows. “Excellent choice, sir. I’ll be back with your drink orders shortly.”
I stare at the gorgeous man before me in awe. I can hardly believe I’m here, in this luxurious space with Tim Carlton, at long last. I’ve only been dreaming of him since I was a little girl, and here he is, looking good enough to eat. His tan is set off by the white tablecloth, and again, I’d love to run my tongue up that bronzed throat and across his square jaw before gently tickling his lips with my tongue.
He looks like he can read my mind as those blue eyes flare with heat, and once our wine has arrived he takes a sip before setting the glass down casually.
“So tell me, sweetheart,” he says suddenly. “Where are you from?”
OMG, this is the perfect time to reveal the truth, but instead, I end up dancing around it.
“I’m from here, actually. I grew up in Prescott but then my mom and I left when I was a child to move to Texas. She got a good job there, so I lived in Texas until coming back just earlier this year.”