She offered him a quivering smile. “Thank you. I like your tux. I forgot how nice you look all dressed up.”
He realized that she was nervous. Admittedly, he enjoyed seeing that being around him kept her a little off kilter, because she did the same for him. In the course of their time together he’d only wore a suit a few times and never a tuxedo. Not even for their wedding. It had been small and held at the church they all attended outside of school. His family had come and Sonya’s friends, that’s it. However, at that moment he’d felt that was all they needed to start their life together. If he ever had the opportunity to marry her again, he’d pull out all the stops. A real wedding dress for her and a tux for him. And a honeymoon.
No need to go down that road, he warned himself.
“Sorry about the quick the plans. Are you ready, or do you need more time.”
Holding her arms at her side, she nodded. “I’m ready. I just need my coat.”
He stepped into the foyer as she opened the small coat closet beside the door.
“I’ll help you with that.” He claimed the heavy, black swing coat from her hands.
“Thanks.” She pivoted so that he could help her with it on.
It took all of his strength to hold on to the coat without dropping it as his body went weak at the sight of the back of her dress. It was covered with the same lace that was across her collar in the front. However, her entire back was covered with that sheer material. All the way down into a deep V at her perfectly rounded backside. A quarter of an inch more and he would be able to see the crease between her cheeks. His breath came out in a shudder as he took in the tone, shifting muscles and the perfect alignment of her spine that was revealed to his gaze.
The display of her back made it perfectly clear that the only thing holding up her breasts was God’s blessing and the design of the front of the dress. He wanted it to be his hands that offered the support. No, bra. Was she even wearing panties?
He groaned.
Peering at him over her shoulder, she gave him a saucy look with her lids lowered and her lips turned up just slightly at the corner. “Is something wrong?”
Yes. Hell, yes. What was wrong was that he would have to sit across the table with Sonya in this ‘lay me across the table and love me now’ dress and act the perfect gentleman.
Clearing his throat, and draping the outerwear over her shoulders, he said, “Nothings wrong.”
She worked her arms through the sleeves as he still held it for her. “Well, we probably should head out so we don’t be late. I assume you made reservations.”
He could give two figs about being late. There was a perfectly good wall beside him that he’d like to press Sonya against, flip up the bottom of her skirt and bury himself inside her sex. Remind himself how she felt quaking around his shaft. Then carry her into the room and kiss every inch of her luscious body as he slowly worked the dress off her.
Not going to the restaurant sounds damn good to me.
Sonya faced him. He could see the slight tug of the left-side of her bottom lips as subtly she worried it between her teeth. She was apprehensive.
It was possible that she was teasing him purposely, and playing some game she’d designed. Most likely to get him back for pressuring her into a formal dinner date, but other than the daring dress, his love was out of her element.
That bit of knowledge allowed him to take in a palliative breath that set his mind and body back in line.
He stepped close and cupped her cheek then used his thumb and caressed her warm skin, as soft as expensive velvet. Leaning in, he paused when his lips were just above hers. Just staying like that for a moment.
She parted her lips and drew in a sharp, short breath. But, she didn’t move away.
The knowledge that no matter how much she fought it, Sonya wanted to be kissed again by him and that filled his heart with joy. By passing her lips, he set his mouth to her ear to whisper, “Let’s go.”
When he stepped away, the corners of her lips were tight. She snatched up her small clutch and keys from the narrow table beside the door then brushed passed him.
Chuckling, he followed her out and waited on the first step for her while she locked her door.
“I don’t see what’s so funny.” She slipped her hand into his as she allowed him to escort her down the stairs.
“Just laughter of joy.” With a wink, he assisted her into the passenger side of the car.
When he arrived, he’d backed into her driveway so that her seat would be right at the sidewalk. He ensured the hem of her dress was clear before he traveled to the driver side.
After he pushed the button to start the car, he brushed his fingers along the inside of her wrist.
Her gaze met his in the shadowed interior.
“I want you to enjoy yourself tonight, Sonya. Don’t think about work or what this night may or may not mean for us either, just relax and cherish it. Can you do that for me?”
“Yes.”
Needing to hear nothing else, he pulled out of her driveway.
~ML~
After parking in the Charlotte Plaza Parking Deck, Parker took her hand and as she alighted from the car then led her toward the sixth floor elevator. Once inside they traveled up to the twenty-seventh floor.
Out of the many times she’d ridden by the Charlotte Plaza Building she never assumed that one day she’d be inside of it with Parker at her side, holding her hand.
Sonya glanced down at their fingers, still entwined since he helped her from the car. It felt natural to be connected with him. She warned herself not to think too much on it. It was just a night. A glamorous night. However, it didn’t mean anything had to change between them.
When the doors parted, the panoramic view of the Queen City night skyline showcased in the large open windows of the restaurant took her breath away.
She kept a lock on her jaw to keep it from gaping open as she looked around, while Parker answered questions from the maître d' about their reservations.
Within minutes someone took her coat and gave Parker a ticket to retrieve it later. That person was followed by an escort that greeted them and showed them to their table and offered the wine menu and letting them know that their server would be right with them.
“I’m Javier. I will be your server tonight, Mr. Hayden.” The slim white man with sleek blond hair, dressed in a black suit with a white linen cloth over his bent left arm looked toward her. “And you lovely guest this evening is…”
She could tell the man didn’t want to assume. Sonya could imagine how many successful businessmen came to the place with women that were not their wives. As expensive as the place was, she was sure discretion was part of their motto as well.
“Mrs. Hayden.”
Licking her teeth behind her lips, she wanted to correct Parker and reminded him that she had gone back to Watson after the divorce as well as the fact she was a Ms…not a Mrs. However, she kept her silence.
“Good evening to you both, may I interest you in a pre-dinner wine selection?” Javier went on for a few minutes with the evening wine specials they had available.
Parker glanced at her across the candlelight. “Would you care for any of those?”
“I skipped lunch today. It’s probably best I start with water and save the wine for when I have something on my stomach.” She needed to keep her wits about her with Parker around.
The server filled their glasses with water, then took the wine list and replaced it with a menu for both her and Parker to review promising his return momentarily.
Staring down at the elegantly scripted menu, her mind drifted back to her house when Parker had arrived to pick her up. A situation that started off as her flirting with him and having the edge over the night when she showed him the back of her dress had morphed into something different. As they’d stood in her foyer she had lost her head when he leaned into her. She’d thought he was going to kiss her, trembled with the desire to feel his lips against her ag
ain. The other two kisses they had shared had been in the work environment and brief. The fact she had yearned for his mouth on hers let her know that she couldn’t give an inch this night when it came to Parker. Otherwise she would be lost in a love that may not last, again.
“A penny for your thoughts.”
His voice interrupted her musing. Glancing up at him, she pondered how much to share with him. “I was thinking Roasted Tiger Prawn as my appetizer and Lobster Louis-Pernod as my main course…what about you?”
The single raised eyebrow let her know that he was not convinced that her meal selection was what she had been thinking about. Thankfully, he didn’t pursue the conversation and allowed it to rest.
“I’m going to order the Oysters Bentley as our starter, unless you have objections.”
Aphrodisiac. Maybe she should have gone with some wine.
She swallowed and noticed her throat was dry and reached for her water. “No.”
“Then have the Grown-up Macaroni and Cheese for my appetizer.” He paused to flip the page of his menu.
“You did see that they have escargot, right.” She rolled her lips in to stifle her smile.
He glanced up at her, giving her a steely look. “I don’t eat gastropoda, invertebrates or any other arthropod phylum. Unless starvation is a factor.” He winked at her, breaking the stern stare. “However, I’m sure you recall that.”
“I do.” She allowed the smile to show. “I can still remember after the four day rainstorm we had our junior year. We were on our way to the library to study when you saw Martin Collins, Mr. Six-year collegiate, holding that slug above his lighter burning it. You dropped your books and punched him in the jaw.”
Leaning back, he chuckled as he nodded. “He was a dumb ass. I think his parents kept paying for college just to keep him away from home.”
“He kept screaming…’People eat them all the time. Their just bugs.’” She leaned toward him and lowered her voice so as not to disturb any of the other dinners. “I still recall how red your eyes looked when you yelled back at him. ‘You’re an ass, but do you see us trying to pack bags on you and ride you up a hill?”
Stroking his jaw, he chuckled. “Not one of my finer moments.”
“I’m not sure who was more shocked, him or the Neanderthal group around him or me.” She laughed with him, but disagreed with his assessment of himself.
In all the time she had known Parker, he had kept to himself. Just focusing on his small group of friends, studies and her. That day she had witnessed an entirely new side of him. The masculine protective force he showed made her core tighten and her thighs ache. It was the first bout of desire she had ever experienced. She’d wanted him right then and there. However, he’d took his books from her, that she’d picked up, and led her into the library as if nothing had happened. Science focused as ever.
Javier returned and took their order.
Parker decided on the Maple Smoked Veal Chops to finish out his order.
After their server left, Parker held her gaze for a moment as he sat silent across from her.
“What?” She cupped the side of her neck feeling uncomfortable.
“Nothing. I’m just admiring you. I love to see you smiling.”
The intense look he was giving her warmed her to her toes. “You say that like you’ve never seen me smile before.”
“Oh, I have. You just don’t do it very often anymore. You’ve become so serious all the time.”
He didn’t ask why and she was thankful. Their night was going so well and she didn’t want to taint it by bringing up old hurts.
“I have a lot on my plate, now. Before I was working myself to exhaustion to impress Kravers and have him push through my grant with the board.”
“Understandable.” He stretched his hand across the table palm up.
Knowing what he wanted, she hesitated on a moment before placing her hand in his. She waited.
“Soni-love, promise me that you won’t get so consumed by building your exhibit that you forget to enjoy it. Enjoy life.”
She could do nothing but squeeze his hand and offer him a tentative smile. Everything in her wanted to be able to promise him that. Verify to Parker that she had a life that she lived a full existence outside of work in the interim that had been in each other’s life. However, it hadn’t been the truth and she wasn’t sure if and when it would be going forward.
Their server returned thankfully and said her from any further response.
“This smells delicious, but looks almost too pretty to eat.” She eyed the small appealing snack size food on her plate then glanced to Parker.
“I’m so hungry, I wish now I would have ordered two of everything.” He winked at her as he picked up his fork.
After a quick blessing they both dug in.
“You’re always on me about not being buried into work, so what does Parker Hayden do when he’s not conversing with bugs.”
He tipped his head back and chuckled. “Conversing with bugs…good one. I like working with kids. They have very fascinating minds and usually don’t have the fears and hang-ups that adults have and are willing to learn.”
“Was that a jab at me and my critter issues?” She pointed the tins of her fork at him.
“No. It wasn’t. Yours is understandable.” He picked up his water and drank from it. “I’d like to help you get over it though.”
Understandable. She choked down the memories.
She shook her head. “Oh, no. We are not having this discussion. Back to the kids. When did this come about? You’ve never mentioned anything about it before.”
“You mean when we were married?” His brown eyes were so intense as they held hers.
“Yeah.” She was the first to glance away.
“We were both too busy.” He shrugged. “My studies were my focus. Unfortunately. I don’t even think there was space in my brain to consider anything beyond the two of us—”
“Co-existing.”
A moment of silence filled the table as they both completed their starters and rested their forks on the side of their small dishes.
“While I was in Daintree there were frequent occasions when I went into one of the small villages. The people knew that I was a studier of the various types of insects within the Rainforest. When I would show up, sporadically, the children would rush to me, gather around and ask me questions. I realized that they weren’t trying to pester me or get in the way of my research they truly wanted to know. So, I started showing them pictures, talking to them, sharing what new things I had discovered.”
Never before had she seen his face so lit up with excitement about something as it was at that moment while he talked about the children. For some reason she couldn’t explain why it warmed her heart to know that Parker enjoyed children.
“What about you?
“Me what?”
Their conversation went on pause as Javier returned to their table with their meals and cleaned away the other dishes. Parker took the servers recommendation on a house wine that would complement both their dinner choices.
They continued to make small talk about the beauty and aroma of both their dishes until the Sommelier arrived at their table and offered Parker a taste of the wine selection. When Parker approved, the man filled both their goblets to the appropriate level.
“You can leave the bottle,” Parker confirmed, when the Sommelier asked about the bottle.
When they were left alone at their table to enjoy their meal, Parker waited until after she’d tried her succulent lobster before returning to their conversation.
“Do you want children, Sonya?”
His question came out calm, general inquisition but it felt intimate to her coming from Parker. It brought images to her mind of how babies were created.
She took a sip of her wine and enjoyed the bloom of flavor on her pallet. “When I was younger, I think I had some thoughts like most little girls that started with ‘when I grow-up I want…’ But, lo
ng before I finished high school those fantasies ended. I focused on getting into college and having a career where I wouldn’t…” she lost her voice and attempted to cover up her emotions by placing another bite of food in her mouth.
“Have to worry about where your next meal was coming from.” Parker finished.
“Yeah.” Her appetite vanished and she reached for her wine and consumed a liberal amount to get the sour taste of her past out of her mouth.
“Are you enjoying your lobster?”
Setting her glass down, she glanced at the gorgeous man across from her. She gave him a smile of thanks for letting her out of the discussion. “It’s delicious. How’s your Veal?”
“Tender and savory. Care for a bite?” He held his fork out to her with a delectable piece of meat speared at the end.
Say no, she told herself. “Yes.”
Maybe it was the meat, or perhaps the beckoning stare of the man holding it, either way she was too tempted to resist.
It’s just food. She repeated three times to herself as she parted her lips and allowed Parker to slide his fork, the same one that had been in his mouth, into hers. When she closed around it, she felt the heat of the flavorful meat. However, a part of her mind felt as if she could still feel Parker’s warmth on the metal.
Ludicrous she knew, but it didn’t stop her from desiring a taste of him.
“What do you think?”
Taking her time to chew the small bite, trying to think of something intelligent to say that didn’t have anything to do with how sexy and delectable he was. Or how she would jump at the chance for a comparison between him and the meat. But, she knew how that would pan out. It may have been over a week since she’d kissed Parker in the garden but she recalled it vividly. He could beat the expensive cut calf hands down.
Once there was nothing left for her to chew, she swallowed and answered him. “It is really good. If I come back here, I may go with that one.”
“I could always see if they have May thirtieth available.”
Even the clinking and murmurs of the other patrons were drowned out by the thumping of her heart at his words.
Evidence of Desire: Hero Series 3 Page 11