chiseled jaw, full lips, perfectly proportioned nose, and mesmerizing indigo eyes.
She had hoped she’d never see Kane Winters again.
The sight of him triggered an array of painful memories. She remembered how sweet it had been to feel his arms around her, his lips brushing hers. His muscular body over hers. His cock driving into her and taking her to heaven.
And she remembered how he’d betrayed her … and humiliated her.
“You’re nailpolishlover209?”
He smiled and walked toward her as the hostess exited, closing the door behind her.
“Yes, that’s me.”
“I’m not staying.” She turned and reached for the door handle.
“You owe me dinner.”
She frowned. “Order what you want. I’ll leave my credit card number with the hostess.”
“I don’t care about that. What I want is to spend time with you.” He smiled. “I would think I’d get more than sixty seconds for my five thousand dollars.”
She turned around, fuming. “I don’t want to spend time with you.”
“But you will.” He pulled out a chair, waiting for her to take a seat. “Because you always honor your word.”
Anxiety coiled through her. He was right and they both knew it. She walked stiffly to the table and sat down. He guided the chair forward, then picked up the linen napkin that had been folded into a swan and shook it out, then handed it to her. He always had been quite the gentleman. She took the napkin, the brief contact of his fingers brushing hers sending sparks flashing along her nerve endings, throwing her wildly off balance.
He sat down across from her and placed his own napkin on his lap. She imagined the linen brushing over his thick, muscular thighs. Remembered what it felt like to have her legs wrapped around them.
“You know I never would have agreed to dinner if I’d known it was with you,” she said.
“But you really have no choice. When you put out an offer like that, you have to take what you get.”
“And I got you.”
He smiled. “Yes.”
He was far too pleased with himself and she hated it.
“Why would you spend five thousand dollars for an hour with me?”
His eyebrow arched. “It’ll be at least three hours. You’re staying for dessert and coffee.” He lifted the bottle of wine and poured rich burgundy liquid into the crystal stemmed glass in front of her.
“I can eat faster than that.”
“I’m sure you can. But they won’t serve a five-course meal faster than that. And before you argue, I’ve already ordered.”
“But that’s too much food. I couldn’t possibly—”
“The vichyssoise will be here in a moment and yes, you could possibly.” He sipped his wine. “Look, you agreed to have dinner with me…”
“Not with you…”
“So why don’t you just relax and enjoy it?”
A knock sounded, then the door opened. A waiter entered with a small tray, which he set on a side table, then placed a small bowl in front of her.
She realized the waiter had knocked because he’d wanted to warn them he was coming in … so he didn’t interrupt anything. Her cheeks flushed at the thought the waiter might think that they’d be … doing something together.
He served Kane next, then set a basket of fresh baked rolls on the table. The aroma of the bread, still warm, made her mouth water.
She’d gone off grains a couple of weeks ago, but knew she would not be able to resist tonight. She took one, still warm to the touch, and cut it open, then smeared butter on it. It melted as she spread it. She took a bite and had to stop herself from sighing. She did not want Kane to know she was enjoying any part of this.
* * *
Kane watched River as she took a bite of the roll. The look of bliss on her face made him wish he was the one giving her so much pleasure.
And he would be. Of that he was sure. She was reluctant now, but he intended to make up for the pain he’d caused her in college and convince her that they could have a future together. It wouldn’t be easy, but that had never stopped him from going after what he wanted before. A challenge made the victory all that much sweeter.
She dipped her spoon into the soup and tasted it. He could see her eyes light up. This place had the best vichyssoise he’d ever tasted. One of the reasons he’d chosen it. Though the most important reason was the private dining room.
She glanced at him, then schooled her expression