She inclined her head and smiled, her gaze traveling over him appreciatively. “I said I would. And now I’m glad I did.”
“Let’s get out of the cold.” He placed a hand at the small of her back and led her toward the restaurant, holding the door open for her to walk inside.
She removed her jacket, revealing a white cashmere dress, the slight dip in the front showing her slender neck, the slight swell of her breasts, and a thin gold chain. No heavy jewelry in sight.
“You look beautiful,” he said, the words out before he could think them through.
Her eyes swung to his. “Thank you,” she said, clearly surprised by the compliment.
They obviously had a long way to go before they were comfortable around each other, but he was working on it. If he thought he’d wanted her before, he was even more certain now. Getting her out of his system would be the healthy thing to do.
“Come. I reserved a private room in the back,” he said.
“Derek! You didn’t have to do that,” she murmured, sounding pleased that he had.
He liked the sound of his name on her lips. Would love to hear it when his cock was deep inside her warm, wet body, he thought, clenching his hand into a tight fist.
Emotional comfort might be far away, but physical attraction was here and strong, he thought, acknowledging that he was powerless to fight her pull.
They sat in a rounded booth, side by side, his thigh close to hers. His dick was hard, and he was grateful for the cover of the table.
A waiter came to take their order—steak au poivre for both of them, baked potatoes, hers loaded with sour cream, and creamed spinach. He grinned at that. A girl after his own heart. Not a light salad eater, he thought, pleased.
He glanced at the wine menu and ordered a bottle of Miner Cabernet, a red wine to go with the meal. “I’m assuming that’s okay? If you still like wine, that is?” he asked before the waiter took his leave.
Her lips lifted in a knowing grin. She remembered too. “I still prefer it to beer. Though once in a while, sharing a bottle can be fun.”
Her joking words about their shared past broke the ice, and he relaxed, knowing she was feeling more comfortable with him.
The waiter tilted his head and excused himself, pulling the door closed behind him, but he returned quickly and poured their wine, pausing for the ritual tasting. Finally, though, they were alone again.
“Well,” she said into the silence.
“Well.” He raised his glass. “To … renewed acquaintances.”
She smiled and raised her glass before taking a sip. “Delicious,” she murmured. “You have good taste.”
“I learned,” he admitted, leaning in closer. “So tell me, how have you been? It really has been a long time.”
She nodded. “I’m good,” she said, her voice dipping, reminiscent of what he’d heard in her tone over the phone. Then she grew silent.
“I don’t know you well … or at all, but I’m pretty sure there’s something going on and you’re not okay.”
“Are you a mind reader?” she asked teasingly, but the dimming light in her eyes gave her away.
“No, but it’s twice now I’ve heard something in your tone that tells me you’re upset.”
A muscle ticked in her jaw. “You’re right.”
“I’m listening … if you want to talk.” And he hoped she did. His curiosity about her was rampant.
He leaned back, placing one arm behind her back, his fingertips grazing the soft fuzz of her dress on her shoulder. Her gaze flew to his, but she didn’t shift or move away.
“Okay, well, where to begin?” She steepled her fingers and peered over at him. “Things at Take a Byte are going well for me, but I can’t say the same for Storms Consolidated. My father is retiring, and I thought he’d name me as his successor.”
During Derek’s attempt at acquiring the company, he’d heard rumblings of problems with the bottom line, a few firings to accommodate cost cutting. He hadn’t, however, known the chairman was planning on retiring.
“He didn’t choose you?”
“No.” She turned toward him, her gaze meeting his. “He decided my brother, who has been traveling Europe for the last year, deserves the job over me. I’ve worked there since college, I’ve proven my loyalty and my ability, and yet being a man holds more weight.”
Damn, that had to hurt. “I’m sorry.”
“It gets worse.”
He raised an eyebrow, wondering how.
“I’ve been evicted by my own family,” she said, lifting the glass and taking a long sip of wine.
“Seriously?” he asked, joining her for a drink.
She nodded. “I … um … I’ve been staying in the guesthouse, where you used to live.” She glanced down, aware of the awkwardness she’d injected into the conversation.
No wonder she hadn’t wanted him to pick her up tonight, he thought, stiffening at the reminder of their pasts, the status differences between them growing up. Of her father’s role in hurting his family.
But, he reminded himself, he’d known these things going in. If he was going to spend any time with Cassie, for whatever reason, even if it involved his dick, he was going to have to deal with the facts. And not be put off every time she mentioned something that brought up past pain.
“What do you mean you were evicted?” he asked, focusing on the conversation.