“You see, with money, and through business, the problems of the world can be fixed. It’s called inherent capitalism. But, we’ll go nowhere without financial backing.”
Inherent capitalism? Is that something he just made up? But my date continues to talk with his nose pointed straight up in the air, counseling me as if I am but a simple and delicate woman, blind and lost in this world. Of course, there’s no consideration for the fact that I work in the same industry as him.
What the hell. What a pompous ass. This guy is twenty-five, the same age as me, and he doesn’t know his asshole from his feet. And from the way he carries himself, it’s safe to infer that he’s been coddled his entire life. I also sense that underneath all the swagger, he’s actually quite insecure. Brian has to spew bullshit and carry himself like a tough guy to make himself feel better about the things he actually lacks: personality, the ability to relate to others, integrity, and likability, just to name a few.
I smile tightly through the conversation, counting the minutes until this date is over. To be honest, I’m really only half-listening to what he’s saying, just enough to coherently respond here and there. I’m trying to focus on the sound of the jazz music playing in the background, the prickly yet sweet taste of the white wine, and the beautiful visual of water trickling through the garden out back. Basically, I’m grasping at anything that is not Brian right now.
Suddenly, my date stops mid-sentence. His body seems to lock up. His eyes open wide, hooked on something or someone across the room. The color drains from his face, and his jaw goes slack.
What in the world just happened?
I try to follow his gaze, twisting in my seat to see what could have so utterly shocked him. But there’s no obvious answer. There’s a man sitting across the way, but that doesn’t explain Brian’s surprise.
Come to think of it, the man is ridiculously handsome. He’s quite a bit older, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He’s not looking at us, but I can see the flash of his gaze as he signals to a waiter. The strange man is well-dressed, with bronzed, tanned features. He’s gorgeous in a way that makes my mouth water; he’s a man’s man with rough-hewn features, and yet an exceptionally mobile mouth.
Is this what has Brian afraid? A simple man, sitting across the room? I turn back to my date, and see him fumbling with his jacket. He doesn’t look good. In fact, he looks quite ill and almost green.
“I forgot I was supposed to fax some files to corporate today at work and it’s important that they have it in by tomorrow morning. I’m sorry but I’m going to have to run, Megan. I’ll get you back for the bill tomorrow,” Brian says breathlessly, his voice climbing an octave with each sentence. Then, he wipes a bead of sweat from his forehead and bolts from the restaurant. I stare after him.
What in the world just happened? A work emergency? With a fax machine? Who even uses faxes anymore? Yeah, right.
But this is classic Brian. I finally agree to come on this date with him and he takes off halfway through, leaving me with the bill and some half-hearted promise to “pay me back later.” This is total bullshit. I am stunned, astonished, and even a bit furious with him.
Even more, I’m angry with myself for even coming. Now, I’m left sitting at the table, staring at an empty chair, with a check that’s going to be a few hundred dollars at least.
Well, I’m real glad the waitress insisted on getting us a bottle of their finest wine. Perfect, just perfect.
Seeing as I am sitting here alone, I decide to finish the bottle of wine, since I’m paying for it now anyways. Maybe I can take the rest of the appetizer tray back to my apartment where I can eat alone in peace. Is that too déclassé? I don’t even care anymore. I’m pondering whether I should get an entrée to go as well when all of a sudden, I feel a presence approaching behind me.
I turn. Did Brian come back? Is it someone I know? Is it the waitress telling me I need to leave now that my pain-in-the-ass date has ditched me? I bet she suspects I can’t afford the bill.
But my heart drops into my stomach when I see that it’s the gorgeous older man who spooked the bejesus out of Brian. His blue eyes penetrate me, and my cheeks flush at the attention. My nipples harden, and every cell in my body comes alert.
“Hello. Do you mind if I take a seat?” he says in a deep voice. Suddenly, the evening just took a turn for the unexpected.
To be continued …
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About the Author
Cassandra Dee is a bestselling author of dozens of hot and steamy contemporary romances. She started out writing erotica but transitioned to romance after falling for one too many book boyfriends.
When she’s not tapping away furiously at her laptop, Cassandra can be found drinking gallons of coffee and watching lots of reality TV. She also enjoys taking the neighbor’s dog for walks, aimlessly wandering the local grocery store, and of course, reading too much about the lives of her favorite celebrities.
Cassandra is living her own HEA with her husband and a beautiful baby boy.
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