The Tycoon's Unexpected Baby (The Abbot Sisters #3) - Elizabeth Lennox Page 0,16

should get a bottle of wine too, but I know even less about wines than I do about cheeses. So how about if you choose a wine? I’m sure it will be delicious.”

He chuckled. “We’re having more than just cheese and crackers, Pepper.” With that, he added olives, a package of pre-sliced salami and other hard meats, several more cheese selections, more crackers, and two bottles of red wine. “That should do it,” he said, and took the wicker basket from her arm, heading towards the cashier.

“I can pay for this,” she protested. “It was my idea.”

He looked down at her as if she’d lost her mind. “Not going to happen, Pepper,” he said, handing the cashier his credit card. “You tried that last night too. Why do you think I will ever allow you to pay for our meals?”

She stepped back, her lips twisting slightly. “I don’t think its right for the man to always pay,” she replied with a bit of belligerence. “I have money, Dimitri. I can afford to pay.”

“Right,” he replied, taking the paper bag the cashier handed to them. “I added in wine glasses, cutting board, and a knife, just so you know.”

She hadn’t thought about that, but those additions would be a good idea. “Thank you,” she smiled up at him. “Now, we go star gazing,” she said.

He stopped, looking back at her. “Star gazing?” he repeated. “Why?”

She laughed. “Because it’s an excellent way to be in a quiet place where we can talk and get to know one another. Are you up for it?”

He grumbled quietly as he opened the door for her. “Fine. Do you do anything in a traditional manner?”

She blinked up at him. “A picnic seems like one of the most traditional first dates two people could have. Maybe a bit old fashioned, but…”

“It’s fine. In fact, I know the perfect spot for star gazing,” he said, then led her back to the limousine.

Twenty minutes later, he pressed the button on what looked like a private elevator. “Where are we going?” she asked, feeling those wonderful tingles again. Actually, they hadn’t stopped, but while they were around others, the sensations seemed to be slightly muted.

“My place,” he announced, the elevator doors sliding silently open to reveal an elegant foyer with a massive chandelier done in a modern style. Pepper hated it on sight, but she kept her mouth shut. “This way.” Dimitri led her through a massive penthouse that had a huge great room that looked out over the city, but it was furnished with the most hideous sofas she’d ever seen. They looked as if they were built with cement instead of stuffing, they looked so hard and uncompromising. There were also some artsy coffee tables, but they weren’t anything that she’d want to put her feet up on.

The whole space was decorated with lines that were clean and sparse, but nothing that looked inviting. Nothing that looked like one could curl up in a corner and read for an afternoon.

It was so completely different from her small but cozy loft, she almost told Dimitri that this wasn’t going to work. The furniture and the man were such a stark contrast to everything she liked, how could they ever compromise?

“Will this work?” he asked, opening up a glass door that opened onto a lush patio. There were plants on both sides and with comfortable chairs hidden away. He turned off all of the ambient light and set the bag down on a low table.

“This is wonderful!” she exclaimed, relieved that this area, at least, was more to her liking. Maybe, there was hope for them!

“Good. I got the sense that you weren’t thrilled with my décor,” he teased, gesturing for her to sit.

“Oh, I’m sure it was…” she had no words. It was just ugly, horrible stuff! “I’m sure that it’s very good quality,” she finally finished.

He laughed and bent down, taking her shoes off and sliding his hands up her calves. “You’re quite diplomatic, agapita mou.”

She looked down at him, surprised by his tender caress. “What does that mean?”

“It means, my dear, in Greek,” he explained. Then moved higher. “I’ve wanted to do this since I arrived at your loft,” he said, then wrapped a strong hand behind her neck and pulled her closer, kissing her. The caress started off softly, but then he increased the pressure when she lifted her hands to touch his shoulders. By the time he pulled away, they were both panting. “You are