She took the hand heoffered to help her out of the car and then withdrew it when she stood. "Thankyou. It's rather refreshing to find there are still a few gentlemen left in theworld."
"My fatherwouldn't have it any other way. We grew up opening doors for my mother and anyother ladies we met along the way. Heaven forbid if we slacked off and forgot."
"Why, whathappened if you did?"
"My fatherbelieved in punishment and not behaving like he expected us to would often meanthe cane." He smiled and guided her into the restaurant. They stoodwaiting at the reception desk for their table until the waiter noticed them."Table for Williams."
"Follow me, DoctorWilliams."
Russ walked behindLizzie as they were shown to a quiet corner of the restaurant. When they wereseated, the waiter handed them menus and took their drink order. Finally, theywere alone.
"Where did yougrow up, Lizzie?" Russ raised his glass of wine and took a sip, savouringthe smooth red liquid.
"Sydney.Paddington to be exact. My parents were both in medical research. They spenttheir life looking through microscopes and writing about their findings."She looked down and made patterns on the tablecloth with her finger.
"Do I detect anote of disdain there?"
"Not really. Theywere great parents. I guess I had it better than most. At least we were afamily." She smiled and her whole face lit up when her gaze met his."Tell me about you. I bet you had a great childhood."
"Well, I was bornhere but you probably know that."
A small twitch curvedthe her lips more. "I actually don't really know much about you at all. Itold you I don't listen to gossip but if I did, I somehow doubt they would getit right."
"Fair comment. Myparents owned a farm just outside Lorn. It's a beautiful property that’s beenhanded down over generations. Full of history and the perfect place forchildren to grow up. I have one brother, Cade who is a football star and asister, Rooney. She’s a vet and opening her own practice soon. She has adaughter, Tamara."
The waiter arrived withtheir entree and Russ stopped talking until he’d served them before continuing.
"My mother was thekind of person who encouraged us no matter what we wanted to be when we grewup. Sadly, my father was cut from a different cloth and wanted us to follow inhis footsteps and continue the farm. He stipulated in his will that we all liveon the property or it goes to the state. So here I am." He speared a pieceof prosciutto and popped it into his mouth. Chewing slowly, he groaned inpleasure. "That’s just perfect. How is yours, Lizzie?"
"It's lovely,thanks. So, your brother, would I know him?"
"Depends if you’rea footy fan, I suppose. Cade Williams, plays for the Sydney Gulls."
"It's actually myguilty pleasure, Saturday night football." She frowned. "Just aminute, wasn't he injured a couple of weeks ago?"
Russ looked at her, hopingthis wasn't going the way it used to when he dated a girl and they found outwho his brother was. "Yes, he was."
"That’s such ashame. I do hope he’s going to be alright although from my take on things, Isomehow doubt it. The news reported a suspected medial collateral ligament, notsure if it’s torn or not though. Could be a career ending injury." Shegave him a puzzled look. "Don't you know what happened?"
"No. I don't watchsport much, too busy working and Cade hasn't told me what the damage is. It'skind of a touchy subject with him."
"That'sunderstandable." Lizzie cleaned up the remains of her entree and sat backwith a smile on her face. "That was pretty special."
"This was one ofmy mother's favourite restaurants when she could drag my father away from hiswork."
"So, tell me moreabout yourself. Do you prefer cats or dogs?" Russ smiled at the shockedlook on her face. "Come on Lizzie, I won't ask you anything you can't askme. I think it would be nice to get to know each other a bit better." Heheld his breath while she pondered his suggestion. Russ was attracted to herbut that didn't mean he wanted to make anther commitment just yet. "Lookat it like this, we work together, we can be friends. No strings, Lizzie, Ipromise. Not yet."
After waiting for whatseemed far too long, Lizzie spoke. "Cats."
"Chocolate orcheese?"
She laughed. "CanI have both please?"
"Silver service orback yard barbeque?"
"You will thinkI'm rude if I say back yard barbeque. But I'm really enjoying being here tonighttoo." She rested her elbows on the table and cupped her chin with herhands.
"I am too. I mayas well tell you, my divorce papers are barely dry. One of the reasons I movedback home to a small town. I needed a change of pace and time to get my head aroundbeing single again. I promise I won't rush you, Lizzie, but I would like to getto know you much better."
Her mouth opened andRuss watched the small pink tip of her tongue trace her bottom lip. Sheswallowed before speaking again.
"So, Russ. Cats ordogs?"
Russ managed to getmore out of Lizzie than he’d hoped. She’d loosened up after a couple of glassesof wine and relaxed.
When he took her home,they stood on the front porch talking. "I'd better go in," Lizziesaid. "It's way past time I was asleep."
Russ cupped her chin inhis hand and lifted her face up to his. Her eyes closed and he dipped his headtouching her lips with barely a breath between them. She parted her lips with asoft sigh and gripped his arms as she fell into him. Lizzie groaned and Russslid his arms around her waist holding her firmly against his chest.
With a passion hedidn't expect, she ramped up the kiss leaving him shaky at the knees with lust.When she unexpectedly pulled back, Russ was left with an dull ache in hisstomach.
"I'm sorry. Idon't know what came over me." Her cheeks were red and she couldn't meethis gaze.
"No, I have toapologise. I said I wouldn't rush you and I'm afraid I did." He smiled andstepped back. "Thank you for a wonderful evening, Lizzie. We'll have
