Steven just looks at the Maitre d’, a cold look in his eyes, “I do hope you weren’t referring to my guest.”
The man turns pale and immediately stammers out an apology.
Awkward, I just wave it away and when he offers to take my coat, I hand it to him.
We were ushered to a private dining area. I couldn’t hold on to my own embarrassment when I see the thinly veiled temper behind Steven’s eyes.
“You’re angry.” I mutter.
When he just frowns down at the menu handed to him, I kick him under the seat, and hiss, “Stop it. Aaron’s watching.”
He lifts his head up to look at his son, who was staring at him and he tries to smooth out his expression.
“I’m sorry for the scene right now,” He turns his gaze to me, and I shrug.
What did he expect me to say?
“It didn’t bother me,” I lie, shifting my eyes to the menu.
To my dismay, the items on the menu were too expensive for my budget, and I flip through the menu hoping to find something affordable. At this point, even I was hungry.
I bite my tongue when I see that even the salads were in the double digits.
Mentally, I calculate how much getting a simple salad would set me back on my Christmas shopping savings, and with a heavy heart, I decide on the cheapest one.
When the waiter arrives, Aaron orders a burger that was surprisingly very simple. When Steven looks at me, expectantly, my fingers tighten on the menu.
“The green beans salad.”
The waiter blinks at me when I put the menu aside, “Uh, what would you like for your main?”
Oh, dear God. Please don’t let this be a three-course meal, I pray internally.
I give a strained smile, “That’s it for me.”
If I saw the strange look that Steven sent my way, I ignored it.
“I’ll have number 5 for starters and number 27 for the main. She’ll have the same. Forget the salad.” Steven glances at me as I gape at him.
I wait for the waiter to leave, before digging my claws in, “What was that? Why did you order for me? I wasn’t hungry!”
Steven leans back in his chair, studying me, “You’ve been on your feet all day. You expect me to believe that you didn’t manage to work up any sort of appetite?”
I purse my lips, feeling my cheeks turn red at the subtle reprimand, “Yes, well. Maybe, I won’t like number 27.”
Steven throws his head back and laughs.
“You’re too adorable.”
I flush at his comment, not knowing whether that was his way of saying I was a simpleton or an actual compliment.
“Miss Abby, look!” Aaron tugs at my sweater, wanting to show me the origami he made with the napkin.
I grin, “Is that supposed to be a boat?”
When he beams at me, I quickly rearrange my own napkin into a hat and put it on his head, “Now, you’re the Captain.”
I take out my phone, “Hold your boat up.”
Gleefully, Aaron holds up the boat and I quickly snap his picture.
“I look funny!” He laughs when I show it to him.
Our heads are close together, and I tell him, “You know what? I have a friend who owns a huge printer. I’ll ask her to blow this picture up in black and white, and you can hang it in your room and we can call it ‘The Captain’.”
Just then, I glance up and see Steven watching me.
Aaron slides from his seat, “Bathroom!”
I watch him walk away and then turn my head to meet his father’s gaze, “What?”
Steven shrugs, “I’ve never seen Aaron like this. He doesn’t usually get along with the women in my life.”
I eye him, “I’m not a woman in your life, Mr. Tanner.”
“I plan to change that.”
I give him a terse smile, “Well, I don’t.”
When his lips curve, I cross my arms over my chest, “I’m not fascinated by your money, Mr. Tanner. I don’t plan to throw myself into your arms just because you own a garage full of Jaguars and you eat millions for breakfast.”
His smile broadens, mirth in those gray eyes, “I don’t eat millions for breakfast, every day.”
I narrow my eyes at him, “You’re not my type, Steven.”
His smile flickers, “And what exactly is your type, Abby?”
There was a dangerous edge to that silky tone.
My crossed arms tighten, defensively, “Quiet and unassuming.”
I don’t know where those words came from, but I regretted them immediately, when he cocks a brow, and scoffs, “You’re into boring men?”
I open my mouth, and I wonder who was controlling my filter, “I’m into men who wouldn’t trample on my heart. I’m not into casual flings. So, no, you’re not my type.”
“You’re very assuming for someone who doesn’t even know me,” Steven says, with a bite in his tone.
Oh, so did I managed to rile him up?
Good.
Satisfaction settled in the pit of my stomach, knowing that I had ruffled his calm and composed surface.
I just stare at him, “Name one thing you know about me.”
When he opens his mouth, I raise a finger, interrupting him, “Excluding the muffins.”
Steven gives me a smile that makes me narrow my eyes, “You are obsessed with your car, that you probably bought years ago, and you hold a lot of sentimental attachment to. I know you like reading murder mysteries, because there were three worn out paper backs in your dashboard. I know you like children, because I’ve seen you interact with Aaron, and there isn’t any patience in your interactions, but respect and affection. His opinion is important to you. I know you have a habit of tying your hair up because you’re trying to cover up your looks by adopting some serious librarian vibes. Unfortunately for you, you just make a man want to strip away that guise.”
My jaw hangs open, and he gives me a smug smile, “How was that?”
I struggle with my words, “So, you’re observant.”
Steven settles back in his seat, “You’re like a kitten who’s hissing at me because I’ve backed you into a corner. You’re scared of trying to let anything develop between us, because you are terrified of taking risks.”
His words echo the same words Scarlett had thrown at me this morning over breakfast, and I try to shrug them off, “Since when is watching out for myself a crime?”
He studies me, his tone wry, “Is that really what you’re doing? Because the farther you run, the more determined I am to have you. And I didn’t get where I am by giving up, Abby.”
My jaw grows taut, “And what exactly is it, that you want from me?”
His lips curve and just then Aaron heads back to the table, his hands still wet. He uses his napkin to dry his hands, and complains, “When will the food come? I’m hungry!”
I can feel Steven’s eyes on me, and I wonder how deeply entangled I was already in him. And how I would survive the climb back out.
Chapter 11
“Abby. Abby?”
I jolt out of my thoughts and force a smile for my date’s benefit.
Travis was dressed up in a clean button-up shirt and a pair of faded jeans. I find myself thinking that he could look so much better in a suit and tie.
Feeling my lower abdomen clench at the thought of someone I knew who looked so delicious in his suit, I take a sip of the water to calm myself down.
“You okay?” Travis looks a little concerned. “You look a little flushed.”
“Yeah, yeah. Just a little overworked.”
He reaches over to put his hand over mine, and grins, “Well, you can unwind all you want, today.”
I stare at his hand on mine and it annoys me that I felt nothing.
No spark, no lust.
The dress that Scarlett had put on me was a gorgeous red number that reached my knees and highlighted all my curves. It was a strapless thing and right now, as I felt Travis’s eyes on my generous boobs which were slightly upli
fted by the dress, I just wanted to cover up.
Five minutes into the dinner and I already knew this was a stupid idea.
I just wasn’t interested in Travis.
I idly watch him finish his glass of wine and pour himself another.
I know this whole thing had been my idea, but I should have realized this was never going to work.
“So, how’s your new job?” There was a slight slur in Travis’s words and I remembered too late that Scarlett had warned me that he was a lightweight.
“It’s going good. My students are all teenagers.”
My words trail-off as I see his eyes transfixed on my chest again.
“Travis, my eyes are up here,” I say, tightly.
There was a sloppy grin on his face, “Sorry. I got distracted.”
I stand up, “Excuse me for a moment.”
I make my way through the crowded restaurant to the restroom, and turning the corner, I immediately lean against the wall.
Taking out my phone, I dial Scarlett.
“How’s the date going?” She demands cheerfully, after picking up on the second ring.
“Did you tell him I wanted to sleep with him?” I hiss at her.
“What? No!”
“I want to leave,” I say, bluntly.
Her voice turns serious, “Is he being a douche?”
I rub my temples with my free hand, “He’s half drunk, Scarlett. He’s complimented my boobs five times. He keeps staring at them like some sleazy perv. I’m not comfortable.”
“You want me fake an emergency call?”
“Would you?” I ask, gratefully. “In ten minutes.”
“You got it, babe.”
Tucking the phone into my purse, I return to my date.
As I sit down, I notice that my date was pouring himself a generous serving of his third glass of wine.
“Maybe you should take it a little easy on the wine, Travis,” I say, a little uneasy.
“Why?” He laughs. “Tonight’s all ours.”
He reaches under the table and puts his hand on my bare leg, making my eyes widen.
“Stop that,” I say, tersely, a sliver of panic sliding up my spine.
He winks at me, not removing his hand, “Don’t be so uptight.”
His hand crawl higher under my dress and he tries to force my legs apart. My heart starts beating faster in panic and disgust, “I said stop it!”
My chair falls down with a loud clatter as I stand up.
I didn’t say a word, neither did I let him speak. I just grabbed my purse and walked out of the restaurant, ignoring the people staring at me.
I wanted to put as much space between us as possible!
I didn’t even stop for my coat.
A few hot tears roll down my cheeks and I feel so cheap and dirty.
Oh, God!
I needed to calm down!
But the panic attack was setting again, reminding me of memories that I had buried. The tears wouldn’t stop, as I kept pulling my dress down.
What on earth had possessed me to do such a thing!
I don’t know for how long I walked.
My bare-arms were feeling numb with the cold and I felt dazed. I wanted to go home. I wanted Scarlett. I –
“Abby?”
The familiar voice from behind me made me whirl around and on seeing Steven’s shocked face, I just burst into tears.
“Sweetheart, what -?”
I feel his warm trench coat thrown over my shoulder, as he drags me closer, “What are you doing out here, dressed like that?”
My tears wouldn’t stop, I just clench my fingers into his expensive suit and bury my face in his jacket.
“Come on,” He guides me to his car and helps me in, closing the door behind him.
When he slides into the seat next to me, he cranks up the heater to full, letting my half-frozen body soak in some heat.
He turns to me, anger mixed with concern, “What happened?”
I rub my eyes, feeling raw, “I – I was on a date, and he – he –“
I couldn’t continue, my voice cracking.
If I had been all there, I would have thought that I had never seen this man wear that expression on his face. His eyes held pure fury, and his mouth was pressed in a thin line, “Give me a name.”
I shake my head, “J-Just, can you just take me home, p-please?”
My voice was wavering and small, and he growls out loud, before throwing the car in gear.
I didn’t see where we were going, as I just huddled myself into a ball, wrapping his coat tighter around myself.
Feeling my phone vibrate, I take it out, my hands numb and stare at the caller ID.
It was Scarlett.
“H-Hello?”
“Abby, are you okay? I’ve been calling over and over, again! Where are you?!”
My voice trembles, “T-Travis put his hand on my l-leg and then he tried to – I had to leave, Scarlett!”
“What the fuck! Where are you right now?” I could hear the upset in her tone.
“I – I ran into Steven. He’s –“
My phone is taken from my hand and Steven holds it to his ear, “I’m taking her to my place.”
Scarlett said something to him, and his expression turns dark, “Not if I get there first, lady.”
When he threw the phone into the backseat, I rub my eyes, “Your place? I want to go home.”
He threw me a look that brooked no argument, “My house is closer. You’ll get hypothermia if you stay in that dress any longer.”
I was already shivering despite the heater blasting at me. So, I didn’t say anything, my mind in a confused mess.
There was a reason I played it safe in the dating game.
Scarlett was the only one who knew it.
Back in college, her drunk ex-boyfriend had broken into our apartment and mistaking me for her in the dark, he had crawled into my bed.
I had managed to knock him out at some point, but it had been too late.
The man had been mortified and kept apologizing, and I had been so shaken and upset that I never reported it.
I thought that I had moved on from that. I had been so sure that I wasn’t going to let one incident ruin my life.
Today, when I walked into the restaurant, I had been confident. But the minute his hand crawled up my leg, all those memories resurged.
A firm hand clasped around mine, forcing me out of my dark thoughts.
I met Steven’s steady gaze, “You’re safe now.”
I held on to those three words as a lifeline.
I thought that the presence of another man would have made the situation worse, but Steven’s presence felt like a firm wall that I could lean against.
So, I just let my eyes linger on our enjoined hands and try to breathe slowly to calm myself down.
“Come on. We’re here.”
I look out the window to see a huge mansion.
Although it was night, the entire place was very well-lit. The gardens were covered with snow and what appeared to be a fountain statue, had a stream of water emitting from it that was frozen.
I gingerly step out the car, sliding my hands into the arms of the coat.
Even as it dwarfed me, I snuggled into it, smelling Steven’s unique scent on it.
His arm loop around my waist as he guides me to the front steps of what was the biggest house I had ever seen.
“You live here?” I ask, my teeth chattering with the cold and shock.
My hand swivel to right, to take in the huge pillars and I hear a warm chuckle from him, as he admits, “It was a wedding gift from my grandparents. My grandmother has a fascination with architecture. She designed this whole place.”
I blink, “They live here with you?”
“No, they live in Ireland.”
The door opens and an elderly man in a black suit studies us, “Welcome back, Master Tanner.”
“Um,” I say, awkwardly. “Hi.”
The man
gives me a kind look, “Good evening. Should I prepare some dry clothes for your guest, Master Tanner?”
“I’d appreciate that, Jarvis. Have them sent to my room.”
The hallway was well-lit, and I gaped at the array of paintings on the wall.
“I knew you were rich, but I thought you just lived in some fancy penthouse,” I mutter. “Are you sure you’re not royalty?”
Steven grins, relaxing at the fact that I was sufficiently distracted from my shitty experience, “I do have some royal blood in me from my father’s side.”
The staircase was wide, and spiralling, and the bannister shone as if it had been freshly polished. The marble floor under me had a different sort of sheen, reflecting the pale golden lights that lit the hallway.
He guides me to an elevator in the next room and I blink.
Once the doors close, he leans over and pinches both my cheeks, looking a little annoyed, “Stop looking at me like that. It’s just a house.”
My cheeks were stretched, and I garble out, “It’s not a house. It’s a freaking palace.”
The elevator dings, and the door opens to the second floor.
“This way,” Steven tells me, his brow furrowed at the way I was trying to take in everything.
His bedroom was huge.
A huge bed was positioned in the centre of the room, against the wall, with a vanity right across from it. There was a small glass coffee table with two chairs and even from the entrance of the room, I could see some of Aaron’s toys cluttered near it. A small chaise in the corner, next to a huge wardrobe and a door that seemed to lead into a private bathroom.
“Stop gawking,” Steven chastises me.
“Yeah, sure,” I mumble, not paying him any heed.
I put my hand on the bed, marvelling at the softness of the bed spread.
Steven leaves me to my own devices and walks over to the massive fireplace, where he casually lights a fire, as if that was an everyday thing for him.
“Aren’t you worried that the carpet will catch fire?” I ask, my eyes transfixed on the way he looks, kneeling in his suit against the firelight.
He turns to look at me, “There’s a protective screening in front of the fire.”
“Oh.” I wrap my arms around my stomach.
Wintertime Heat: A Christmas Single Dad Romance Page 6