him all night long. So yes, Vienna, it’s a fuck-me dress.”
I almost asked if he was including himself in that, but I knew it wouldn’t be wise. It was important not to allow any lines to be blurred. “Whatever. If it helps us with our pretense, all the better.” Deciding to play up to our audience, I reached over and stroked my finger along his watch, grazing his wrist slightly. “What time is it?”
He drank the last of his wine. “Almost time to leave.”
He settled the bill, shooting me a glare when I offered to go halves with him on it. Like I was attempting to unman him or something.
I rose from the table and skirted around it. On his feet, he cupped my elbow and urged me to pass him. The featherlight graze of his lips over my temple made my pulse jump.
Again, he kept his hand on my lower back as he guided me across the large space. The feel of his warm fingers on my bare skin was a tease all by itself—my flesh was super-sensitive from the sexual buzz I couldn’t quite shake off.
Noticing a familiar figure exit the restrooms, I almost groaned. “Hope’s here,” I whispered to him.
Travis’s wife was beautiful. She had flawless skin, sleek black hair, a curvy figure, and a sweet face that was in total contrast to her personality. She was one of those people who’d never worked a day in their life yet looked down on anyone who didn’t have a job that earned them six figures a year.
She smiled at Dane. But that smile dimmed when she caught sight of me. To Hope, assistants of any kind were inferior. “What a surprise,” she said to Dane. “Travis has been trying to reach you for days. You didn’t return his calls.”
“I did,” he told her. “He just didn’t answer. I don’t have the time to chase him. Is he with you?”
“No, I’m here with friends. You know, it’s quite sad that you’d have a business dinner on a Saturday night. You never do anything but work. You should really try getting a life.”
“I like the one I have.”
Her eyes slid to me, and her lips thinned. “Hello, Vivienne.”
I almost rolled my eyes. She knew damn well what my name was.
“If you’re aiming to seduce my brother-in-law by dressing like that, it won’t work. He never mixes business with pleasure.”
“I appreciate the warning,” I said.
“We’re leaving now,” said Dane as he skimmed his fingertips down my inner arm and then smoothly took my hand in his. “Enjoy your meal, Hope.” With that, he gently pulled me toward the door. I could feel her watching us, and I knew she was probably getting a good look at us holding hands, but I didn’t turn around.
Reaching the exit, Dane pushed open the glass door and guided me to the waiting car outside. I could only assume he’d texted Sam to pick us up.
Inside the car, I waited for Dane to put the privacy screen up before I asked, “Do you think Hope suspects we were on a date?”
“Yes. She’ll no doubt call Travis and tell him all about it. He’ll probably wave it off, too sure that his world is in order and that I’d never fall for a woman. It won’t be until he hears about our second date that he’ll sit up and take notice.”
“When are we having our second date?”
“Next Saturday.”
“Same time, same place?”
“Same time, different place. One where other people who I know often eat.”
In other words, another pretentious restaurant. “I’d better tell my foster parents about our ‘relationship’ before our second date. The more time they have to get used to it before I announce we’re engaged, the better chance of them buying it. I can’t spring an engagement on them.”
He nodded. “You’ll also have to formally introduce me to them at some point. It might help if they see us together, looking happy and stable.”
“I hate that I’ll be lying to them. Won’t you hate that you’ll be lying to people?”
“No.”
I blinked. “Just no?”
He shrugged.
“I know your relationship with Travis is strained, but I got the impression that you get along well with Kent.”
“I do.”
“But you’re fine with lying to him?”
“My personal life isn’t his business. Why I choose to get married isn’t his business.”
Since just thinking about the wedding had the potential to give me indigestion, I changed the subject. “I take it you don’t want me to dress as your PA on our second date