Sudden Devotion (8 page)

He was watching her as he asked and she wondered how he found it so easy to read her.

She shook her head and grinned. “Nothing. Come on. Let’s go eat. I just need to put some panties on.” She turned to face him. “Don’t even think about it. I am wearing panties out to eat, and that’s final.”

He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her as she slid the panties up her thighs. “You are no fun, whatsoever. Just think how much fun dinner would be with you sitting there bare. Nothing would prevent me from reaching under the table and touching you until you scream my name.”

Leaning back in his chest, she sighed. “You are a very, very bad influence on me, Mitch.”

He let out a boisterous laugh. “That is true. I am a bad influence on you. And just think of all of the things we haven’t even done yet.”

Sara’s expression and body language changed at his joke.

He stopped laughing, “Hey, don’t do that. Don’t shut down on me, Sara.”

“Mitch.” She gently shook her head. “I don’t have…I’m not experienced like all of your…”

“Shh. Not one other woman in the world matters right now. Just you. Remember, I told you that when we’re together, there is no one else. Now, tell me what I said that made you so nervous.” He wrapped his arms around her tighter and kissed her temple.

Sara rubbed her hands along his forearms and sighed. “It’s not that I’m nervous. I don’t know, maybe it’s more like worried.” She shrugged. “It just seems like society has an idea of what a lady is supposed to be like. I don’t think the thoughts that run through my head are that of a lady.”

Mitch turned her to face him. “You,” he said as he kissed her, “are not only a lady, but an amazing lady. Being adventurous and free with your sexuality does not make you any less of a lady or a person.” He kissed her again. “I wish you could see just how amazing you are. I wish you would stop beating yourself up for your desires.”

He attempted to change the mood and the subject, “Listen, look at it this way. As long as the fantasies involve me, then they are totally normal and okay and definitely something worth trying. However,” he kissed her cheek, “should these fantasies include someone other than me, well then, you should be completely ashamed of yourself because I am the only one you need.” He winked at her.

Relaxed by his humor, she laughed. “Geez, Mitch. If you weren’t so gorgeous when you did it, your cocky arrogance would be annoying.”

“Ah, but I am gorgeous. So what are you gonna do?” Mitch placed an arm around her as they headed for the door.

Chapter Six

Sara was impressed when they pulled up to the little Italian Bistro. She had heard some of the girls at the office talk about it. It was definitely one of the trendier places in town. And she had heard from more than one of the girls that they had a chicken marsala dish that was to die for.

Mitch led Sara to their table with his hand placed at the small of her back. When the waiter had pulled her chair out for her and waited for her to sit, she was perplexed as to Mitch stood there watching her. When he finally sat right after she did, though, it was obvious that he was just trying to be a gentleman. Although it was a different experience to be on a date with someone who had such eloquent manners, it was nice.

“This place is very nice, Mitch. Thank you for bringing me here.” Sara nervously touched her fingers to the flatware laid out in front of her.

“Have you eaten here before?” His smile was soothing and alluring at the same time.

“No, but I’ve heard it’s amazing. You really didn’t…it’s not necessary for you to try and…you know what I mean.” She kept her eyes down.

Annoyed by her comment he snapped, “Sara, look at me.” He waited. “Sara, please.”

Slowly, she lifted her gaze to meet his, and he continued, “Sara, why do you act as though you don’t deserve to be taken to a nice dinner?”

She spoke quietly, “I don’t know.”

“Damn it, Sara. Don’t lie to me!” he said tersely.

Sara’s head jerked up, surprised by his tone. “I…fine, you want to know, then fine. It’s not like you need to woo me to get me into bed. I’m clearly easy. So what’s the –”

“Stop it!” If it were possible to shout quietly, he had just succeeded. “Is that what you think this is about?” He took a steadying breath. It was obvious he was trying to reign in his temper.

“Look, Sara. I’m sorry I snapped at you like that. I just don’t understand you sometimes. I’m really staring to like you and I absolutely hate the unworthiness you seem to feel for yourself!” He put up his hand to silence her. “No, hear me out, please. Then you can say whatever is on your mind.”

She nodded and nervously placed her damp hands on her lap. Why had she started this argument? Why couldn’t she just enjoy herself? But she knew why. No matter how good she felt in Mitch’s arms, she felt like the same wallflower of a girl in high school that none of the boys took an interest in. She tried not to laugh at her juvenile opinion of herself. Here she was, twenty-three years old, and she was still letting high school dictate how she felt.

“Good. Now, I am your lover. And, I love being that. But, I am also a man. A man who realizes a good thing when he sees it. You are an amazing, beautiful woman. Taking you out to dinner and showing you off is as much fun for me as it is for you. I want to take you places and see you smile. I would like to put a little romance into our life if you’d let me.”

After giving him a look of surprise he reached over and placed his hand over hers. “I truly like you, Sara. I admit that our relationship is brand new and started...well, let’s just say it began a little unconventionally. But, nonetheless, I don’t see any reason why we can’t have a normal relationship, with dating and,” he leaned across the table, “lots and lots of goodnight kisses.”

“You really like me? I mean, not just the, you know.”

Mitch tightened his grip on her hands. “Sara. I wish you weren’t so unsure of yourself. You are magnificent. In the bedroom and out.”

She smirked at him. “You only say that because we have sex everywhere.”

When she smiled again he continued, “True. But that is only because you are so damn sexy I can’t help myself. Now please, let’s enjoy our dinner. If it makes you feel any better, I won’t pressure you into having sex just because I bought you dinner.”

Twinkling her eyes at him she replied, “Mitch, if I let you buy me dinner, I will most certainly pressure you into sleeping with me!”

He rolled his eyes. “All right, fine. If I must. Geez, you are so demanding sometimes.”

The waiter came over with a charismatic smile. “Good evening, sir, ma’am,” he said as he bowed his head. “Would you care for a bottle of wine this evening?”

Mitch gestured toward Sara. “Do you have any preferences?”

Smiling, Sara said, “I’ve always had a fondness for a good Riesling.”

Mitch smiled at her. “Very well. What Rieslings do you have?”

“Yes, sir. We have a 2003
Johannesburg
, a Rosemount Estate which is out of Australia, and a Schmitt-Sohne Blue Riesling Auslese which comes from
Germany
.” Waiting the appropriate time, the waiter responded. “My personal favorite is the one out of Australia, sir.”

Mitch nodded. “That’ll be fine.”

The waiter left them alone after reciting to them the daily specials.

* * * *

Mitch watched her toy with her fork as she smiled. “You are truly beautiful, Sara. I hope you realize that is how I see you.”

Sara looked up at him. “Mitch. You’re going to embarrass me.”

He winked and quirked up one side of his mouth in a smile. “Good. Because when you get embarrassed, you blush. The same way you do when—" Mitch was interrupted by the waiter returning with their wine.

Sara blushed. She knew exactly what Mitch was about to say. What the waiter would have overheard. He smiled at her, which just made her blush more.

The waiter poured a small amount into the glass for Mitch to taste. Swirling it around and sniffing before taking a sip, Mitch nodded to the waiter his acceptance of the wine. Waiting as the waiter poured their glasses, Mitch and Sara stared at each other in a way that spoke volumes of their past twenty-four hours together.

“Have you two decided on a selection for this evening?” the waiter asked with his impeccable manners.

“I’ve been dying to try that chicken marsala you have.” Sara’s mouth watered as she spoke.

“Make that two. And bring us a couple of salads if you would, please.”

“Very well, sir.” The waiter took their menus and left.

Sara looked at Mitch over the rim of her glass after taking a sip. Setting it down, she spoke candidly, “Mitch, I’m sorry for the way I acted just a little while ago. I wish I wasn’t so unsure of myself. You told me I should be truthful with you, so I will.”

She took a breath as she folded her fingers together on the table. “The truth is, I really like you. And I really don’t want to do something to scare you off. That’s why I didn’t want you to think you had to do all of this,” she said, motioning with her hands at the ambiance of the restaurant. “But,” she said before he could protest, “I think I could get used to you spoiling me a little.”

“Well, I am very glad to hear that. I think I will enjoy spoiling you, as well. Now, what are the odds I can get you to take off those panties?”

“Ahem, sorry, sir. Your, ah, salads.”

Mitch and Sara waited quietly as the waiter set their salad plates down in front of them. When the red-faced waiter left them, they both burst out into laughter.

Trying to regain her composure, Sara reached for her wine glass and eyed him with disbelief. “You are going to have to do something about your predilection toward me having a naked bottom.”

With complete disobedience in his eyes and a hint of mockery in his tone, he said, “You know, I think you’re right. When we leave here, let’s go pick up some lighter fluid and have ourselves a little panty barbeque on your patio.”

She laughed for a moment before she asked, “How did you know I had a barbeque?”

Shit! There was no way he could tell her yet. She would retreat and run. Trying to play it casual, he said, “I just figured. Does that mean we get to do it?” He waggled his brows at her.

“Hardly. But if you keep making me laugh like this, I might have to reward you later. I swear, I haven’t had this much fun in such a long time.”

They ate their salads over small talk. Sharing a few laughs over some of the people at the office, causing them both to be equally surprised to find that when it came to their co-workers, their opinions were identical. Amazingly, they had a lot in common.

Mitch wasn’t surprised at how compatible they seemed. When he watched her in her window just a couple of nights ago, he knew there was something about her. Something other than the fact that she looked absolutely magnificent as she touched herself in the moonlight.

The waiter took their salad plates away, and Mitch took a swig of wine before refilling both of their glasses. “Feel like playing a game?”

She smirked. “I am
not
going to take off my panties, and that is final. Wait until we get home.”

He wanted to laugh at her comment. But something about the way she said ‘until we get home’ caused a small flutter in his stomach. Could he actually really be falling for her? They haven’t even been dating for a week yet. He tried to ignore the sensation. “You’ve heard of word association games, right?”

Sipping her wine, she nodded.

“Well, it can be kind of interesting sometimes. Do you want to try?”

“Sure, why not?”

“Good. I’ll start. But remember, you have to say the first word that comes into your mind. So, I’ll start with, ah,” Mitch looked around the room for inspiration and saw it, “Leprechaun.”

Sara glanced around the restaurant until she saw a sweet little man with red hair. The only thing missing on him was a green suit, she laughed. “Okay,
St.
Patrick.”

“Beer.”

“Pub.”

“Fish and chips.”

“That’s three words,” Sara chided him.

He shrugged. “Hey, you got away with St. Patrick. That’s two words.”

“Fine. Cheater.”

“I’m not a cheater!” He laughed.

“No, my word is cheater.”

“Oh, okay. Um, never.”

She eyed him, as though thinking of what to say next. “Land.”

“Land? What does – oh, I get it. From
Peter Pan
, Never Land. Okay, um, airplane.”

“Flying.” She smiled while sipping her wine.

“Climax.” Mitch watched as her face reddened.

Obviously not willing to back down, Sara responded quickly, “Euphoria.”

“Ecstasy.”

“Happiness.”

“You.” He whispered the word with a gleam in his eye.

She stared at him speechless. The waiter brought their dinners over to them then.

“Enjoy your dinner. I shall come back momentarily to check on you. Meanwhile, may I get you anything else?”

Staring at Sara, Mitch shook his head. “No, we’re fine, thank you.”