palpable. 'But how about tomorrow evening?'
Saturday. The weekend. 'That's perfect. I'll have another dessert for you to sample, and since the shop closes at six-'
He pressed his warm fingers over her lips, cutting her off. 'I want to take you to dinner. Someplace you've never been before.'
She liked the sound of that, and she wasn't about to refuse such an offer, not when she enjoyed being with him so much. 'Okay.'
'Consider it a date then,' he said with a concise nod. 'I'll pick you up at your place at six-thirty. Bring the dessert, and we'll have it after dinner.'
After Jack left her office, she sank back into her chair with a smile, her mind already conjuring up a new aphrodisiac recipe to bring along on their date.
Chapter 7
Saturday s at Pure Indulgence were always busy, and this one was doubly so due to an outdoor arts-and-crafts show the village was sponsoring. From the moment the bakery opened in the morning, there hadn't been a lull in business. Somehow, in between filling orders and keeping the front displays fully stocked with fresh-baked treats, Kayla managed to prepare a new recipe for Jack to try for his restaurant's dessert menu, as well as create a batch of Caramel Caress candies.
And while she worked, she imagined Jack's response to her newest aphrodisiac candies, and fantasized various erotic ways their night together would end.
The shop closed promptly at six, and Kayla barely made it home in time to take a shower and get ready for dinner with Jack. She jumped into the shower, washed her hair, and shaved her legs. Then she dried her hair until it was silky soft and decided to curl the ends but leave it down, like Jack seemed to prefer it. She applied a light layer of makeup, put on her prettiest lingerie, and dabbed perfume in all the right places.
Minutes later she was dressed in the two-piece periwinkle skirt and blouse she'd bought from the boutique, along with the silver chain belt. She slipped her feet into a pair of cream-colored heels and actually liked what she saw in the mirror-a sexy, confident woman.
By the time Jack arrived at her house at six-thirty sharp she was out of breath from rushing, but miraculously ready. The appreciative look in Jack's eyes when he saw her made her feel like a million bucks. She grabbed the cake box with his dessert tucked inside, and off they went to dinner.
It wasn't until they turned onto Harbor Drive and were heading toward the San DiegoHarbor that Kayla realized in her rush and excitement that she'd forgotten the Caramel Caresses on the kitchen counter at home.
'Damn.'
Jack heard the soft expletive and glanced over at Kayla sitting in the passenger seat of his Escalade. She was staring out the windshield, her brows furrowed in distress. Concern immediately took hold of him.
Reaching across the console, he grasped her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. 'Everything okay?'
She glanced at him, her green eyes troubled. 'I forgot the new candies I meant to bring along for you to try.'
He didn't understand why that was so important to her, or why she was so upset, but he attempted to bolster her spirits. 'You can always send them to me like you did the last batch.' He grinned and winked at her.
A seductive smile chased away some of her disappointment as she obviously remembered how that scenario had ended. 'You're so bad,' she murmured, that adorable blush of hers casting a pink tint to her smooth complexion.
'You seem to bring out that side of me.' He brushed his thumb along the pulse point in her wrist, loving the silky texture of her skin. 'Any complaints?'
She shook her head, causing the rays of the setting sun to highlight those blond strands with gold streaks. 'None at all.'
'Good to hear,' he replied, satisfied with her answer.
She returned her stare back out the window, taking in the scenery along Harbor Drive, and he replaced his hand back on the steering wheel, though his gaze kept straying back to her profile. She looked beautiful tonight, the soft, purplish color of her outfit complementing her skin tone and adding a radiant glow he was glimpsing more and more of late.
There was a definite change in her since the evening they'd first met. Not just the hair and makeup and clothes, but a more intangible metamorphosis, one that seemed to start on the inside and was gradually working its way out. Self-assurance. Openness. Trust in him. And maybe, the faith to let him in, past those emotional barriers he could still feel between them.
All of those subtle changes made tonight's date all the more important to him. This was his chance to share an important part of himself with Kayla, an opportunity to let her into his life in a way he'd kept private from other women. Tonight was about romance and letting her know that their relationship was about more than just great sex, which seemed to have become a big focal point between them, and very quickly.
Reaching their destination, he pulled into the circular drive that led to the valet parking. He stopped at the curb, and Kayla glanced from the sign in front of the establishment to him, her eyes wide with surprise and pleasure.
'We're at your restaurant,' she said, and smiled.
He ran his finger down the slope of her nose, just because he wanted to touch her. 'I told you I was going to take you someplace you've never been before.'
A young man dressed in a black uniform opened Kayla's door and helped her out of the SUV, while Jack slid out of the driver's side to let his employee take the vehicle to his private parking spot. He retrieved the dessert box from the back seat, met up with Kayla on the sidewalk, and entwined her fingers in his as they walked to the main entrance.
'I've always wanted to come here,' she admitted as she took in the lush plants and tropical garden surrounding them, complete with a small rock waterfall. 'But I never had a reason to come to such a fancy restaurant.'
Jack was glad that no one else had ever brought her to Tremaine's Downtown before. He hoped it would make the experience more special, for both of them. 'Now you have every reason. Me.'
Once inside, they were greeted by the hostess, then Jack led Kayla to the back of the restaurant and through the kitchen, where he let his chef know to start the dinner he had planned. He gave her a quick tour of the place and introduced her to Rich before leading her upstairs to a private banquet room with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the harbor on one side, and the city skyline on the other.
Kayla stopped at one of the windows, a soft sigh of awe and contentment escaping her. 'The view up here is absolutely spectacular.'
He came up behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders. 'And it's all ours for the night.'
She turned around and placed a hand on his chest, her expression teasing as she plucked at one of the buttons on his dress shirt. 'I guess it pays to have a direct connection to the owner, doesn't it?'
He laughed, and when she would have pulled her hand away he stopped her, lifted her fingers to his lips, and kissed the warm, soft tips. 'The owner is an easygoing guy who can be easily swayed by a beautiful woman.'
She gave a sassy toss of her hair and added her own witty innuendo to the playful conversation. 'Yes, well, I'll try not to take advantage of the owner's generosity.'
'For the record, you can take advantage of me anytime you'd like.' He leaned in close and lightly touched his lips to hers, which was all he was going to allow for tonight. Sweet, chaste kisses, nothing more.
He strolled over to the table set up for two and withdrew the bottle of champagne chilling in the silver ice bucket. Uncapping the top, he popped the cork and poured them each a glass of the bubbly liquid.
He handed her one of the crystal flutes. 'Here's to a memorable evening.'
'It already is,' she said, and clinked the tip of her glass to his before taking a drink.
