Remembering that David had given her a compliment, she offered him a smile. “You look lovely as well,” she teased, hoping she sounded confident rather than scared witless.
David chuckled, the sound making her nipples tighten.
“I’ve never been called lovely before, but I’ll take it.” David offered her his arm. “Shall we?” Swallowing, Diana looped her arm through his and allowed him to escort her to the waiting car. It was low-slung, an aerodynamic beast in the streets. David opened the passenger door for her and because the car was so low to the ground, she had to step off the curb before she could begin to get low enough to slip inside. As she attempted to get in, the hem of her skirt rode up (short and tight—as requested, though she didn’t know why she’d done as David wanted), revealing the one piece of her attire that she’d donned just for her. A pair of red garters.
Swinging her legs into the car, she held her breath, hoping that David hadn’t noticed, but the growl and then curse told her he’d noticed alright.
“Fuck, Diana. You’re going to drive me crazy all night knowing what you’re hiding under that skirt.”
Before she could tell him to keep his mind off what was under her skirts, David closed the door. He was around the car and opening the driver’s side door in seconds. As he slipped into the driver’s seat, Diana couldn’t pull her gaze from the tight, hard globes of his ass. Once he sat down, though, he caught her, a grin spreading his lips.
“And now you can go crazy thinking about what I’m hiding under my pants,” he teased, winking.
She huffed. “That’s not going to happen.”
David laughed. “We’ll see.” He started the engine, the perfectly tuned machine purring to life. As he pulled out into traffic, Diana kept her eyes straight ahead. If she couldn’t see him, she couldn’t drool over him—at least that’s the lie she told herself.
Once they’d gone a few blocks, David opened his mouth, and what came out wasn’t what Diana expected—again.
“That night we met at the Incantata…what were you doing there?” His question seemed innocent enough, and it wasn’t as though she had any reason to lie. So why did it feel as though it was the beginning of a cross-examination?
“I was at the Bella Notte because I wanted a drink. I was staying at the Incantata because Mr. Ayers required that I stay late in the office that night to finish up some paperwork. I usually spend the weekend nights with Margie so I can drive home in the afternoons on Saturdays, but that night she had a…guest. I agreed to work late but I dreaded having to drive the hour plus home when I would be exhausted.”
David didn’t turn to look at her, but she could see him stealing glances at her from the corner of his eye. What was he expecting to see?
“Does Rick often put you up in fancy hotels?” David drawled, that tick back in his jaw.
Was David…jealous?
“No. That was the first time,” she replied, a warmth spreading through her at the relief in David’s eyes. “I’d earned it after months of staying late for his cases. It was a one off, I doubt it will happen again.”
David seemed to like that answer because he nodded, his shoulders losing some of the tension her previous answer had elicited.
Their drive took them to a low traffic area, one she’d never seen before, and she was even more shocked to see where David parked the car; right in front of a dinky building with a ragged red and white striped awning, and hand painted sign for ‘cannoli: 2 for $5’ in the window.
“What is this place,” she asked as David helped her from the car.
He looked at the building then back at her. He grinned. “This is a place I discovered one evening, ten years ago, when I had driven myself mad working on contracts and needed a breather. I walked for blocks, and then his heavenly smell hit my nose. I followed my nose here and had the most delicious plate of chicken parmigiana I have ever eaten—then or ever.”
She smiled back. “I must try it, then.”
“You should. Gino and Francesca are the most amazing people, and their food is to die for,” he replied emphatically as he opened the door for her and let her walk inside before him. The inside of the restaurant was another surprise for the evening. The lighting was low, but it was romantic, not shady, and the tables were evenly spaced with white tablecloths on each one. A single rose in a long white vase adorned the middle of each table.
“David, mio figlio. It has been an age since I have seen you,” a short, round man called as he hurried toward them from the back of the room. David grinned again (she definitely liked his smile, especially when it wasn’t aimed at her and dripping with wickedness). The man threw his arms around David and David reciprocated, they both slapped each other on the back before separating to smile at one another brightly.
“Gio, my old friend. How are you?” David asked, sincerity making his words lilt like a song.
Gio scoffed. “I am old but I am still here, yes? And who is this bella signorina?” he asked, raising his hands for Diana to take. Without hesitating, she slipped her hands into Gio’s. He flipped them over and kissed the top of each one.
“This is Diana, and I have brought her to enjoy your chicken parmigiana,”
