didn’t even notice he slipped off the stool and walked toward me.
He was so beautiful that it made me sad, because I knew that someone like that would never, ever be into me. It was impossible.
“Hi, I’m Luke.”
A high-pitched, teenage voice squealed inside my head. Oh my God. This guy is incredibly hot.
Stunned into disbelief, I forgot my fear. I pulled my lips into what I thought was a sweet smile and slipped my hand into his. His hand was reassuring and instant heat traveled through his skin and into mine, up my arm and glowing somewhere in my chest. He was the stuff of fantasies, and yet, his face wasn’t so perfect it was unnerving like so many actors in Hollywood with straightened teeth as white as Chiclets.
I had to say something, but his mesmerizing eyes promised there was no other person in the world he would rather see than me. I sniggered and felt a violent blush creeping up my neck.
“It’s nice to meet you.” Really, really nice.
He made a slight “hmm” and his smile became a grin, as if he knew the effect he had over me and was enjoying it.
“If you follow me, I’ll show you to your table.”
I squeezed his hand. I forgot she was there.
Let go of his hand! And stop staring at him!
I dropped my gaze and let go of him. My hand trembled as it returned to my side and I felt like one of those Twihards shrieking at Robert Pattinson. What was wrong with me? I walked in front of Luke and followed the hostess as she brought us to the back, to the room separated by a wall of glass. It was meant for larger parties, but Luke paid to reserve it. Of course he did. He had piles of money.
Luke pulled out my chair with one hand like a perfect gentleman and I sat down, inhaling something that must have been cedar cologne. The scent disappeared as he swept around the table, but it left me intoxicated and I blinked at him as though I were drunk. He was so handsome that I couldn’t bear looking at him longer than a few seconds. Would he be able to detect how hard I was crushing on him? He looked more like a male model than a businessman. His dark hair fell into his eyes with a casual elegance that few men could achieve. He smiled at me and my cheeks burned.
“Would you like anything to drink, ma’am?”
God, yes.
She slid a drink menu under my hands and I snapped my attention toward it. I recognized none of these wines. The only wines I knew were of the Charles Shaw variety that sold for five bucks a pop at Trader Joe’s.
“Just get me a dry red. Something you think is good.”
She nodded. “Would you like another glass, Mr. Pardini?”
“Yes, please.”
His voice stroked me. It was deep and calming. When the hostess left, there was no reason to avoid looking at the remarkable specimen sitting in front of me. When I met his gaze, he smiled again and warmth flooded my chest. Pardini. A small explosion took place in the pit of my stomach.
“I know you!” I blurted. “You were on ET the other night.” The moment the words left my mouth, I wanted to smack myself.
You did not just say that.
The smile on his face faltered. He pinched the bridge of his nose and uttered a small groan. “Yes, I’m sure I was.”
So it really was him. The rich playboy with daddy issues used an online dating website. None of this made sense.
The waitress returned to set the wine glass next to me. I watched her fill the glass and then took an unnecessarily large gulp as she poured him more wine. He held my gaze. I was fascinated by him—and my strong feelings toward him.
“I apologize for all the secrecy, but it was necessary.” He reached inside his suit jacket that looked like it cost more than my car and pulled out several papers and a pen. He set them down and slid the pile toward me face up.
Oh right. The non-disclosure agreement.
In the email, he outlined the expectation for me to sign it “upon arrival.” I pulled it toward me and signed it. The penalty for violating the agreement was a whopping three million dollars. No article writing for me, then. I slid the papers back toward him and he folded them back into his jacket, looking relieved.