A Matchless Romance (Aisle Bound) by Barth Christi

Author:Barth, Christi [Barth, Christi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Carina Press
Published: 2014-02-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Drew didn’t have high hopes for the evening. Sure, the Italian restaurant smelled great, but he was too nervous to eat. Well, twenty percent nervous and all the way turned on. Tabitha sat across from him in a dress that had red, leafy cutouts that made her look naked underneath. Like if she twisted an eighth of an inch, he’d get to see something exciting.

Except she had twisted, and it turned out some nude-colored slip underneath meant no peep show. Still. A man could hope. Every damn time he looked at her. The leafy things circled her neck, then came down to frame her breasts. Glittery earrings dangled from the soft ear lobes he longed to use his teeth on. Her fiery hair was up, which just made Drew long to rake his fingers through it until it draped across her white shoulders. Yeah. He had it bad. For a one hundred percent unattainable woman.

Low lighting, a half-exposed stone wall and floor-to-ceiling wine rack gave the room an air of rustic elegance. The flickering candle on the table and opera piped through hidden speakers made it romantic. And if that wasn’t torture enough, they were all alone.

“Sorry we’re stuck back in this private room. I forgot that the restaurant prefers to serve their wine dinners family style. When I insisted on a table just for two, this was the only option.” Tabitha waved an arm, encompassing the room with five empty tables. As if he hadn’t noticed. As if Drew weren’t acutely aware that aside from the occasional waiter pop-in, the two of them were completely freaking alone.

“No problem.” He concentrated on neatly ripping his bread in half. So she couldn’t see the lie reflected in his eyes. Oh, it was a problem. This was a date. Hell, this was probably more of a certified date than any of the conference hookups he’d managed in the past few years. Well, and those crazy two weeks in the Athletes’ Village. Once he had a medal around his neck, he’d had an international string of women lined up outside his room twenty-four/seven. And that had mostly been a few beers quickly followed by sex. Nothing fancy. Especially given the language barriers. He’d barely spoken at all, come to think of it.

Tonight, though, was different. Classy. A beautiful woman. A romantic dinner. Drew had no doubt he’d stick his foot in his mouth and fuck it up somehow before their salads arrived.

“You’re sporting a new look tonight,” Tabitha commented. “Very fashion forward.”

Drew looked down at the black vest, grey shirt and black and white checkerboard tie. “My closet’s full of training gear and jeans. I haven’t gotten any suits yet for New York. So for tonight, Matthew, my roommate, insisted on loaning me the vest.” He tugged at the pointed hem. “I look stupid, don’t I?”

“Not at all. Let me make one tweak, though.” She leaned forward and undid the knot in his tie as she spoke. “For God’s sake, Drew, I don’t know who foisted this low self-esteem on you, but it needs to stop.

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