Finding Her Prince. Robyn DonaldЧитать онлайн книгу.
Ridge Parkway onto Eastern Avenue and drove up the hill, then pulled into the parking lot of Capriotti’s Italian restaurant. It was dusk and not the optimum time to appreciate the lights across the Vegas Valley, but after the sun set, there would be a spectacular view.
Inside, the muted light made for a romantic atmosphere, and a cozy booth for two in the back corner cranked it up several notches. Their arms touched and Cindy swore she actually heard the crackle of electricity that was anything but static. A little sideways move gave her space but no real breathing room.
The last time a guy had taken her to a restaurant with candles and white tablecloths, he’d sweet-talked his way into her life and her bank account, then proceeded to rob her blind. Nathan probably didn’t need her money, but he stirred a need deep inside and she had an uneasy feeling that he could take from her something far more precious than her good credit rating.
A forty-something waiter with salt-and-pepper hair and wearing black pants and a long-sleeved white shirt appeared beside them. “Dr. Steele, it’s nice to see you again.”
Nathan’s smile was friendly. “Hello, Mario. How are you?”
“Very well.” He looked at Cindy and bowed slightly. “Welcome to Capriotti’s. May I get you something from the bar?”
Dr. Charming met her gaze. “What would you like?”
“Surprise me,” she said wryly.
“Mario, I think we’ll have a bottle of my favorite wine.”
“The pinot noir. Excellent choice. I’ll bring it right out.” Before leaving, he handed them menus.
When they were alone Cindy opened hers and said, “So they know your favorite wine. Obviously, you come here often.”
“The food is really good.”
“Do your other women like it?” She was looking at the food choices but not really seeing the words. When she glanced up she saw that he looked more amused than anything else.
“My other women?” he asked. “In spite of what you think and the hospital gossip you base it on, there is no line of women.”
Before she could refute that, someone delivered a basket containing warm rolls wrapped in a white cloth. With a flourish, the guy mixed oil and balsamic vinegar on a plate for dipping. Then Mario returned with the bottle of red and skillfully opened it with a corkscrew and twist of the wrist. After Nathan sipped and approved, the waiter poured them each a glass.
“Do you need a moment or are you ready to order?”
“Cindy?”
She saw fettuccine alfredo and pointed, “I’ll have that.”
“My favorite,” Nathan agreed. “Make it two. And two Caesar salads.”
“Excellent choice,” Mario approved, then quietly left them.
Nathan picked up his wineglass. “Here’s to good surprises.”
“From your mouth to God’s ear.” There was a crystal ring when she touched her glass to his. After taking a drink she said, “That’s very nice.”
“See? Already something good.” He grinned.
She wasn’t so sure. The night wasn’t over yet and getting through unscathed was a goal in jeopardy when he looked at her like she was dessert. That wouldn’t be a problem except she wanted to be dessert.
He leaned back against the leather seat and stretched an arm along the back, his fingers nearly brushing her bare shoulder. “So, how are mumsy and daddy?”
“Actually my parents both passed away several years ago. My father nursed mom through cancer. Then a couple of years later, he had a heart attack.”
“I’m sorry, Cindy. I didn’t mean to bring up—it was a bad joke.”
“My fault. I was messing with you that night at the fundraiser.” She settled her white cloth napkin in her lap. “It was hard losing them both so close together, but Dad was never the same after Mom died. I think he missed her. Now it’s just my brother and me.”
“Is he coming home from college for the summer?”
“No. He’s taking a class, working and sharing an apartment with some buddies. I’m helping out with expenses.” Which wouldn’t be necessary if the sweet-talking jerk who’d wined and dined her hadn’t cleaned out the money her parents left for their children’s education. She took a sip of wine. “You already know about my pathetically normal childhood. I’d like to hear about how you didn’t have one.”
He frowned, an expression just this side of brooding but no less appealing than his grin. “My father was always working. Because he was never home, Mother had hobbies. She took classes. Painting. Knitting. Needlepoint. Calligraphy. Aura reading.” Over the flickering light of the candle, his gaze connected with hers. “Neither of them were around much. I became pretty self-sufficient.”
“It sounds to me like your mother was hurt about your father working so much. She was probably hiding in her hobbies.” She finished off the wine in her glass. “And I can’t decide if you take after her or your father.”
“How about neither?”
She shook her head. “You put in a lot of hours at the hospital.”
“And you know this—how?”
“While the women wait in your line, they talk about you.” The snarky remark made him smile, just as she’d intended. “It’s said that you’re dedicated. So either you’re a workaholic like your father, or you’re hiding like your mom.”
Just then Mario brought their salads. “Is there anything else I can get you?”
“Not right now,” Nathan said.
The light, carefree expression had disappeared and it was her fault. Cindy wished for a filter from her brain to her mouth, but it was too late for that.
They ate in silence for a few minutes. At least he did. She pushed romaine lettuce and croutons around the plate and not much of it got eaten. She wished she’d kept her views to herself.
Finally she couldn’t stand the silence. “Look, Nathan, it’s just my opinion and worth what you paid for it. About now you’re probably regretting this invitation. The offer of sex with no strings attached must look pretty good. Sometimes I don’t know when to keep my mouth shut.”
His eyes turned even darker with an intensity that was almost tangible as his gaze settled on her mouth. “Let’s just say you’ve given me food for thought. Perspective that’s both sincere and sweet.”
Yay her. It felt like he’d yelled at her even though he hadn’t raised his voice. Unlike that day at the hospital, this time he had a reason to be mad. Amateur psychoanalysis probably wasn’t what he’d signed up for tonight in his quest to know her. He’d no doubt learned everything necessary to form the opinion that this night had been a cheap validation for her pronouncement that he should have taken no for an answer.
Two hours later after more to eat and drink and entertaining, idle conversation, they were standing in front of her open door. Cindy was pleasantly full and still rocking a lovely buzz from his favorite red wine.
“Thanks for dinner.” She looked up and her breath caught.
The inside light showed the glitter in Nathan’s eyes as his knuckles lightly grazed her cheek. “I’m going to kiss you.”
“Do you really think that’s a good idea—”
“No. But all night I haven’t been able to take my eyes off you. I want to see how that sexy, sassy, smart mouth tastes.”
Her heart started to pound until she thought it would jump right out of her chest. “Oh, my—”
“I can’t help