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4
“What is it?” he asked, looking up from his plate.
Avarie stared at him with her wineglass partially hiding the ghost of a smile that lingered on her lips. The candlelight in the dark restaurant showcased her beauty. He had been in a constant state of arousal since she’d first walked into the meeting.
“I’m trying to figure you out,” she admitted, sitting her glass back down on the table.
He had brought her to one of the most exclusive Italian restaurants in Downtown Cleveland. The waiting list for the restaurant spanned months. One phone call, and they saved a table for him.
So far, they’d enjoyed each other’s company. The conversation had been enjoyable, learning a little of each other. Conversation regarding their work was avoided. They could deal with that in the office. Right now, he wanted to just enjoy Avarie’s presence.
“What do you want to know? I’m an open book.” He stabbed his fork in the manicotti and brought it to his mouth. The food was superb, and this was one of his favorite places to eat.
“So I read that you go through women faster than a melting snow cone in Hell.”
He held back a wince and swallowed his food. The gossip blogs were never nice to him. He was constantly in the spotlight because of his wealth and countless string of women over the years.
“Well, you should know one can never trust what is published online,” he mentioned, grabbing his wineglass.
“Really? You don’t say?” she murmured. “And they have no merit?”
“Of course not.” He took a healthy sip of the perfectly aged wine and met her stare head-on. He wasn’t ashamed of the reputation he’d picked up in his youth. Over the years, he’d matured and wasn’t the same person he’d been when he was twenty-five. “Listen, Avarie. I’m not going to lie to you. From time to time, I enjoy the company of a beautiful female. Whatever may happen between me and women is always consensual. There is not a woman who ever leaves me with any ill will.”
“So are you expecting me to be like your other women?” she asked. “Dinner with the promise of sex later? Then by the next morning, act like nothing ever transpired between us?”
He paused. Do I?
His gaze met hers as she waited for him to respond. Being the daughter of Finton Ingram meant she was a good woman. Intelligent, beautiful, and certainly knew her way around a boardroom.
Avarie Ingram was different.
He’d never really met anyone like her before.
It was like she was his other half.
He sat back in his chair in disbelief.
He reached for his wine and downed the rest of it.
This was a bit much for their first date…dinner together. He didn’t know if he would call tonight’s dinner a date.
“No, I don’t want that for you or me,” he said, clearing his throat. She wasn’t a woman he could only have once. The need for her spread throughout his body like wildfire. “How about we just take it a day at a time. See what comes of this.”
“I am attracted to you, Shane.” She smiled, looking away briefly. He sat up farther in his chair at her admission. “Since we are being honest with each other, I should admit that at first I thought I was imagining the flirtation. It’s been a while for me. I’ve been so wrapped up in my career that dating has been far from my mind.”
He was pleased to hear that there wasn’t anyone in her life. It would make this less complicated if she didn’t have to get rid of someone.
“I can assure you that I want you.” He leaned forward and took her hand in his. In the dim light, the hunger burned in her eyes, and he knew it was mirrored in his.
“I want you, too.”
“That’s my driveway right there.” Avarie pointed, directing Shane to the correct one.
He guided his vehicle to the edge of the bushes that lined her walkway to the front door. He put the car in park and shut it off.
She leaned back against the plush leather seats, not wanting the night to end. Their eyes connected, the two of them studying each other.
“Safe and sound as promised,” he said, taking her in.
