Page 71 of Twisted Beauty

“This is incredible,” she whispered. She stood at the top of the stairs, sweeping her eyes over the length of the restaurant and back again. She spent a few moments studying a larger-than-life painting of Elizabeth Taylor that covered the entire wall at the top of the stairs.

The host tried to usher them toward a table but Liv didn’t budge. Matt put a hand on the small of her back and felt the warmth of her slender body beneath her dress. “This way, sweetheart.” He leaned down to speak quietly in her ear, “Unless you want me to throw you over my shoulder and carry you through the restaurant, that is. I know how much you love it when I do that.”

She flashed him a glare that made him smile.

Finally, they were seated at a table at the edge of the restaurant, looking out over the railing to the steep city streets that descended toward town and the ocean below. The late afternoon light was turning from yellow to orange. It was the perfect evening for dinner, and he knew the sunset tonight wouldn’t disappoint. He missed his life in LA, the restaurant, the prestige, but nothing compared to the views in Puerto Vallarta. On days like today, he felt damn lucky to be living here.

The waiter dropped off menus and rattled off a few specials before setting the wine menu in the center of the table, draped in a crisp white cloth. Matt had met this waiter here before. Menendez, if memory served. The waiter must have remembered Matt too, because he spoke to him entirely in Spanish even though this place was crawling with English-speaking tourists. “We also have a full bar, as you know, so don’t hesitate to request something special.”

Matt thought he’d better translate for Liv. “He said—”

“Gracias.” Liv interrupted him, and continued to speak to the waiter in Spanish, asking for more time with the menu.

The waiter glanced between them and then addressed Liv. “My pleasure. Take your time.”

Liv set the wine menu down slowly and Matt had a feeling he was in trouble. That was his thanks for being polite and trying to translate.

“Matt, thank you. I can’t believe you brought me here. This place is on my Mexico bucket list. Did you see that crazy red chariot over there toward the back? And that huge photo of Liz Taylor?” She pointed out the architecture she loved—the squared-off columns, the chandeliers and pristine tile floors, the carved railing along the edges of the dining area that was open to the outside. Her awe made Matt feel like he was seeing it all for the first time. “This whole place is…wow. Just wow.”

Just wow was right. Not only was he not in trouble, but he had the most stunning woman in the room sitting across from him, bathed in the yellows and oranges of the sun as it dipped toward the horizon. The need to touch her, to run his hands over the smooth skin of her throat and down to the swell of her breast beneath the deep V-neck of her dress, almost overwhelmed him.

Instead he reached over and lifted the pendant hanging from her neck, and she drew in a breath. He smiled, glad to know he wasn’t the only one affected here. “I see you kept your promise to wear the necklace.”

“I did. Does that bother you?”

“Not at all. Tito’s right. It suits you.” Especially the part where it teased the skin between her breasts and made him crazy with the desire to put his hands or tongue there. He drew his eyes back to her face.

She picked up the wine menu and studied it, so he scooted his chair closer to look over her shoulder. She smelled like spring flowers and fresh air. It wasn’t just the smell of gourmet food making his mouth water.

“Red or white?” she asked.

“Depends what you want to eat.”

Liv laughed. “Yes, chef, I know about pairing wine with food. I was just asking what you prefer.”

“Red.” He wanted to taste red wine on those pink lips of hers. He pointed to the menu. “This one is particularly good, if you like the chewier reds. And if you eat it with a steak.” Picturing her devouring Jana’s burger at the barbecue, he chuckled.

“What’s so funny?”

“Are you game for letting me order for us?”

She narrowed her eyes at him, but after a moment, she shrugged. “Sure, why not? You’re the chef. Show me your best moves.”

“Oh I plan to. But let’s have dinner first.”

Before he could tease her about the gorgeous pink color that swept up her cheeks, Menendez showed up again and asked how they were doing.

Matt ordered the wine and food. When they were alone again, he took Liv’s face in his hand and leaned in for a chaste kiss. He had to get his lips on hers. She ran the tip of her tongue along his lower lip and he stifled a groan. “Shit, Liv. We won’t make it through dinner if you do that.”

“You kissed me. Besides, you’re the one trying to woo me into dropping my panties for you again by bringing me here.”

“Is that what you think I’m doing?” Dropping her panties. Slipping his finger into that slick wetness again. Fuck, that was a nice image.

“Either that or you’re being seriously passive-aggressive about getting your grandma’s pendant back.”

He reached for the pendant again, this time slipping his hand behind it and stroking his knuckles lightly down the smooth skin between her breasts and just beneath her top.

She sucked in a breath, and dipped her head to hide her face. “We’re in public here, remember?” Her voice was rough, just barely above a whisper.