7

Her lips parted. Then she bit her lush, glistening, red bottom lip. “I see you. You look…very handsome, but you’re still the same man who’s been there for me, at the club and…and for a long time.”

Inclining his head, he gave her a broad smile. “Good girl. Now, you do know that there may be photos of the two of us online before the end of the night. It will go much better if you don’t seem afraid of me.”

“I’m not afraid of you, Dominik.” She exhaled and laughed. “I have no reason to be.”

Well now, he wouldn’t go that far. A little fear made things interesting. He pulled her close and brushed her ear with his lips. “That’s cute. Shall I give you a reason?”

She went perfectly still, her little gasp hot against the side of his neck. “Umm…”

He chuckled and backed up a pace, offering her his arm. “There’s no rush. Are you hungry?”

Red spread across the tops of her cheeks. She clearly wasn’t thinking about food. But she nodded. “Did you make reservations somewhere?”

“I did.” He checked his watch, relieved that he’d shown up early, because they had just enough time to make the six o’clock seating. “Thank God you’re low maintenance. Any longer and we’d have to make new plans for the night.”

Her brow rose as though to say he was full of it, but she didn’t comment as she led the way down the hall to fetch her jacket from the hooks by the door. Jami and Carter quickly joined them and they all left together, Sahara pausing to lock up.

They parted in the parking lot. Dominik opened the passenger seat of his black Range Rover, offering Sahara a hand and making sure she was comfortably settled before going around to the driver’s side.

Before he’d even pulled onto the street, Sahara had the radio on. She flicked through each station, cocking her head to listen to the first few seconds of each song. Then she wrinkled her nose and glanced over at him.

“Do you have any CDs?”

“No, but my iPod’s in the glove compartment. See if there’s anything you like on my playlists.”

She pulled out his iPod, then continued checking the glove compartment. “Is there a wire?”

“No, it’s wireless.” He grinned when she ducked her head, her cheeks going red again. “Just pick a song and play.”

There was silence, then Sahara let out a sound of excitement. “Oh! I love this song!”

“Bottoms Up” by Brantley Gilbert came on, a newer country song with a sultry beat and a naughty, sexual outlaw theme. When he stopped at a red light, Dominik watched Sahara out of the corner of his eye as she swayed to the music, singing softly. He had to admit, he’d expected her to find one of the few Top 40 songs he’d downloaded. Or at least show some surprise at his taste in music.

Instead, she spent the entire drive picking songs she clearly knew, losing her shyness halfway there and singing loud enough for him to enjoy the sweetness of her voice. There was a slight New York edge to her tone, and she didn’t hit all the notes right, but he liked listening to her. Seeing how the country tunes had her letting go. They’d have fun on a road trip. On the open highway, in the summer, with the windows rolled down and the music blaring, he had a feeling she’d be right in her element.

Hell, she’d probably love going to his older brother Joshua’s place down in West Virginia. When his brother wasn’t stationed somewhere overseas, he was on the ranch he owned with two of his college buddies. The place was the complete opposite of where they’d grown up. Miles from the closest town, but it suited him.

It was a bit early to be thinking of taking that kind of trip with Sahara, but after pulling in front of the Halifax Dinner Theatre, he couldn’t help meeting her eyes as he lifted her from the seat and lowered her to the sidewalk.

The question just came out. “Have you ever been to a tailgate party?”

She blinked and a smile spread across her lips, so big you’d have thought he’d just told her she’d won tickets to the Super Bowl. Or…well, maybe she wasn’t that into football. Maybe a trip to the Caribbean.

He was definitely overthinking things now, but whatever excited her, his question was on that list.

“I wish! Jami was telling me Max had a tailgate party for his thirtieth birthday and Oriana showed her pictures, and it looked like so much…” Sahara bit her bottom lip. “Actually, you were probably there.”

“I was.” Dominik put his hand on the small of her back to guide her inside as she looked up at the sign where a harlequin figurine perched. Then she turned her head from side to side to take in the theatrical décor of the lobby. His mind was no longer on the possible future. He remembered that day, sitting with Oriana in the back of Max’s father’s truck, believing life couldn’t get any more perfect. Even at his brother’s ranch, he hadn’t felt as at home as he had on the farm where Max grew up. Early mornings, doing chores with Max and Sloan, coming in smelly and sweaty to a hearty breakfast Oriana had prepared with Max’s aunts.

That wasn’t his life anymore. And dwelling on memories while he was with Sahara wasn’t fair.

At the end of the lobby, a man dressed as a pirate greeted them with an exaggerated accent and brought them to the table Dominik had reserved, a few feet from center stage. He and his younger brother, Cam, had brought their mother here last time she’d come to visit and she’d loved it. He couldn’t say why he’d decided on this place for his date with Sahara, except for the fact that he wanted to avoid anything stiff and awkward. Hopefully, she’d have as much fun as he and his family had.

They settled in and the waiter—also dressed as a pirate—came with their salad. Sahara took a few bites, chewing thoughtfully. Then she set down her fork.

He knew, just by the expression on her face, that whatever she had to say wouldn’t get their night off to a good start.

And he was right.

“Did you see her today? Is that why you asked me out?” She dropped her gaze to her napkin. “Not that it matters, but I want to be prepared. I’ve seen what you expect from subs and…and Oriana is perfect. I can’t compete with her.”

“It’s not a competition, sunshine.” He meant every word, but he could tell she didn’t believe him. Which was his own damn fault. It was no secret how things between him and Oriana had ended. His teammates tended to avoid mentioning her at all.

But the point was, the relationship was over. He was here with Sahara, and there was nowhere else he’d rather be.

Putting his hand over Sahara’s, he leaned forward, speaking low. “I never brought her here. She wouldn’t enjoy the…crude humor in some of the acts. But I think you will.”

She wrinkled her nose. “So you think I’m into ‘crude humor’?”

He laughed and tapped her nose. “I have no idea. But I’d like to find out.” He stroked the back of her hand. “When I considered all the places I could bring you, it occurred to me how much I love the way you laugh.”

“So why not a comedy show?”

“Sammy Sugar’s the only big act in town. I can’t stand him—I had a feeling you wouldn’t like him either.”

“Ugh, no. I’ve seen his shows and he kinda pisses me off.” She speared a piece of salad with her fork, taking a bite and letting out a soft sound of pleasure. “Mmm, I love this salad dressing. Maybe you made a good choice on coming here after all.”

Well, he was happy she approved, but her comment amused him. “Based on the salad?”

Cocking her head in thought, she shrugged. “The service is good too. And, to be honest, this place isn’t as formal as I thought it would be based on what you’re wearing. I mean, other people are dressed nicely, but there’s no snobiness. I don’t have to worry about knowing which fork to use.”

“I do aim to keep the cutlery simple on first dates.” He winked when she rolled her eyes at him. So far, so good. She appeared at ease and the first act was about to start. Better yet, the topic of his ex had been abandoned.

They both focused on the stage as the actors, all decked out as pirates or various members of the crew, put on an original show, complete with singing and dancing and quite a lot of exaggerated gyrating. Maybe not crude, but there was a sexual humor to the whole act and many of the jokes were pretty raunchy.

Dominik glanced over at Sahara and grinned as she giggled when their performing waiter caught her eye in the middle of a joke about fainting maidens. When the act ended, the waiter came over and snatched up Sahara’s napkin, folding it and fanning her with it when she pressed her hands to her cheeks, which were red from laughing so much.

The young man gave Dominik a sideways glance before sweeping the napkin over Sahara’s lap and moving as though to kiss her on the cheek. Dominik’s eyes narrowed and Sahara ducked out of reach, which, strangely enough, pleased him. With a dramatic bow, the waiter shifted away from her and gathered their empty plates.

After the second course was served, the actors prepared for the next act. Sahara smiled at Dominik, looking so happy he couldn’t think of a thing to say. He’d rarely seen her this carefree and relaxed.

Actually, he couldn’t recall feeling this laid-back himself. There was no pressure. Instead of the tension of a first, awkward date, this felt like spending time with a friend. One he hoped would become more.

Just before the show continued, Sahara returned her hand to his and met his eyes. “Thank you for bringing me here. I was so nervous, but you’ve proved I don’t have to be. Not with you.”

He turned his hand, stroking her long, delicate fingers with his thumb, amazed at how comfortable he felt touching her. She didn’t come off as the type of woman to play games, and he could tell she wasn’t holding back from him. His only regret was not bringing her somewhere where they could talk more. He wanted to know more about her. What she liked. What she wanted.