the menu—but I’ve been overseeing it all. Probably more than everyone would like, honestly. It started as a pet project that ballooned into a lot more. It officially opens in three weeks.”
“That’s incredible. And what’s with the table for two in the middle of the dance floor?” Michelle jerked her chin toward the round table she’d obviously spotted.
“That won’t be here in a few weeks. That’s just for us tonight,” Blake said, his hand finding the small of her back. When she tipped her head up to look at him, his breath vanished. The blue of her eyes was so striking. So absorbing. It felt like it was the first time he was truly seeing them…and in a way, he was. This was the closest he’d been to her. His fingertips sizzled on the warmth of her low back, pressed into the firmness of her, just inches away from the luscious curve of her ass.
If she were any other woman, if this were even remotely part of his normal repertoire of one-night stands, his palm would be sliding over her ass by now. His lips would be pressed to hers. Backing her up to the wall and making it clear exactly where he wanted to take things.
But with Michelle, that game plan didn’t seem quite right. Even though his cock was throbbing, trapped beneath the buckle of his pants, he knew he needed to refine his approach. If only he could figure out what a winning approach might look like.
This slower style of courtship was all new to him. And he was truly no gentleman.
“Let’s go over there,” he urged, guiding her toward the empty dance floor. “You sit down, and I’m going to get the surprise.”
“I hope it’s delicious, whatever it is,” Michelle said, settling into her seat.
Blake grinned as he headed off into the storage area off the dance floor, where the hot box of food awaited him. In true Blake Harrison fashion, he’d planned for all the details: white plates, white napkins, steaming hot food, even a bottle of wine and two wine glasses. He brought out the wine and glasses first, poured her a generous serving, and then went back for the food. When he came out with the two steaming plates of food, her eyes were glinting with satisfaction.
“Here we have the famous salmon and capers dish that I’ve been teasing you with for the past week,” Blake said as he set the plates down over the black tablecloth draped over the table. “Oh, shit. I forgot the silverware. See, there’s a reason I let other people do this stuff for me.”
Michelle snickered. “When it smells this incredible, I’m not above using my hands.”
Of course she’d say that. The ever-flexible, go-with-the-flow Michelle. “There’s no need. I’ll be right back.”
Blake hurried back to the closet one last time, and when he returned with the silverware, the two of them dug in with abandon. As soon as the salmon passed her lips, a low moan escaped her.
“Holy crap, this is good.”
“I told you.” The salmon was so tender that it basically disintegrated as he cut himself another piece. “This is the best.”
The two of them spent the next ten minutes relishing each bite and sipping at their white wine. By the time he’d finished his plate, he was absolutely stuffed and in heaven.
“That was the best meal of my life,” Michelle said, dabbing at her mouth with the napkin, “and the best surprise of my life.”
“Dinner in an unfinished nightclub. It might be a red flag for some, but not for you,” Blake joked.
“Nah, I trust you.” Michelle winked at him.
And with the way she was looking at him, with all the light and trust in the world shining through her eyes at him, it was hard not get swept away. But the truth panged through him. He was here because of a bet.
But was that so true anymore? Sure, the bet had brought him here, had convinced him to ask her out and spend all this time with her—but he wanted to be here right now. In fact, there was no other way he would have preferred his evening unfold. And that was saying something.
Surely that meant that he wasn’t all bad for going through with this.
“I need to move around to help me digest,” Blake said, a wily idea occurring to him as the music segued into a smoother jazz tune. “Dance with me?”
She set down her napkin, giving him a shy smile. “I suppose