Evening Stars. Сьюзен Мэллери
barely had time to smooth her skirt when the doorbell rang.
Nina was surprised to feel her stomach lurch. The slightly tingly feeling of anticipation was sadly unfamiliar, she thought as she crossed the worn carpet and opened the front door.
Kyle, all six feet of blond godlikeness of him, swore under his breath.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“You’re not supposed to look that good. I thought I’d prepared myself. I wasn’t close.”
This guy was too much, she thought to herself. She reached for the small clutch she’d left by the door. At this point, she didn’t even care if he was lying. He was exactly what she and her battered ego needed. For one night she was going to forget about all the responsibilities in her life. She was going to go on a date with a hot, younger guy and toy with the idea of letting him sleep with her. If there were consequences—and there always were—she would face them in the morning. She’d been doing the right thing for a very long time, and she deserved a reward. Kyle was just the man to make sure she got one.
Chapter Seven
NINA CHECKED TO make sure the door was locked, then started down the two stairs to the walkway. As she moved, Kyle stepped next to her and put his hand on the small of her back. The light pressure was unfamiliar, reminding her that it had been months and months since her last date. Nerves kicked up in her belly, as she realized this night might not be as easy as she’d first thought. Inappropriate guy or not, little Kyle had grown up into a handsome man.
She spotted his car and laughed out loud at the low-slung two-seater convertible.
“Seriously?” she asked with a chuckle. “That’s what you drive?”
“A land jet,” he told her. “Chicks love it.”
“I doubt you need the car to get the girls.”
He stepped in front of her to open the passenger door. “Every little bit helps. Especially with you. I need to keep my edge.”
“Very smooth,” she told him. “You’ve had a lot of practice.”
She’d thought he might protest, but instead he grinned. “All the better for you,” he said easily. “You get to take advantage of all I’ve learned.”
“A man who loves women. And whom women love back.”
He shrugged. “It’s a flaw, but one I can live with.” He moved a little closer. “Tonight is all about you, though.”
She could see the blue of his eyes and his thick, blond lashes. He’s shaved, she thought, studying his tanned skin. He smelled good, too. As if he’d showered. She liked thinking he’d taken his time getting ready. That he’d made an effort for her. In truth, he’d probably done the same thing a thousand times, but that was okay. Tonight she would rather be one of the many than all alone.
She lowered herself into the seat, aware it was going to take every muscle she had to climb out gracefully. A problem for later, she told herself.
He settled next to her. Their seats were close enough together that his shoulder brushed hers. There was something intimate about the way the dashboard seemed to wrap around them. He rested his hand on the gearshift as he turned toward her.
“About dinner,” he began, his voice low and teasing.
For a second she thought he was going to suggest they pass on the food. And for that same second, she considered saying yes. She’d never been one to have sex with a stranger, but while she didn’t know much about Kyle, she knew some things. Like his parents’ names and that he had a baby sister. So they weren’t exactly unknown to each other.
“I thought we’d go to Marianna’s.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Really?”
“Is that okay? I made reservations, but I can cancel them.”
“Marianna’s would be lovely.”
She wanted to add, if he was sure he could afford it. Because while Marianna’s was known for exquisite food, the prices weren’t exactly bargain. She’d only been there a couple of times, most recently with Bonnie and Bertie to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of Bertie moving in and Bonnie coming out.
But instead of checking on Kyle’s financial viability, she decided that if he’d had it together enough to make a reservation, he’d probably checked on the menu. Besides, it wasn’t as if she was going to order the most expensive item on the menu. She knew how to be a thoughtful date.
He started the car, then turned back to her and smiled. “This is nice. Having you so close.”
He leaned toward her and lightly kissed her. Just a quick brush of mouth on mouth, but it was enough to leave her flustered.
When he straightened, she turned to face front, then nervously smoothed her skirt.
“You’re good,” she told him as he shifted into gear and backed out of the driveway. “You sure you’re only twenty-six?”
“It’s not the years, Nina. It’s the miles.”
“There have been a lot of miles?”
He chuckled as he drove down the street. “Enough, but they weren’t you.”
She laughed. “Who were they, then?”
He looked startled for a second, as if he hadn’t expected the direct question. “I’d rather talk about you.”
“My brilliance and beauty? Will there be poetry later?”
“You’re mocking me.”
“A little. Come on. You haven’t thought of me once in the past ten years.”
He glanced at her, his expression serious. “You’re wrong.”
“You were just a kid.”
“Some things never change.”
“It’s a great line.”
“Maybe, but it’s also the truth.” He flashed her a smile. “You’re going to have to trust me on that.”
“I don’t trust so easily.”
She spoke without thinking, then wished she could have called back the words. Not exactly first-date conversation, she told herself.
He took her hand in his and brought it to his mouth. After kissing her knuckles, he placed her fingers back on her lap. “Not to worry. We’ll go as slow as you need us to.”
Something she was a lot less sure about than he was, she thought. She got that this was a game to him, but there were also flashes of sincerity. So, which Kyle was real? Or was he like everyone else on the planet—not any one thing, but a combination of traits that were both good and bad?
He drove around the island and across the bridge. Once they were on the mainland, he headed south. A few miles later was the turnoff to the restaurant.
He drove up to the valet. Nina made sure both feet were on the ground before throwing herself up and out of the low car. Kyle circled around and guided her into the building.
The sun was still relatively high in the sky, and from the foyer, they had a view through the restaurant, out onto the water. The setting was perfect, she thought, once again aware of Kyle’s hand at the small of her back. Soft music, white tablecloths on tables, quiet conversation.
The hostess, a petite twentysomething, walked toward them.
“Hello,” she said, her gaze on Kyle. “Welcome to Marianna’s.”
Kyle winked at her. “We have a reservation,” he said and gave his name. He leaned toward Nina and pressed his lips to her ear. “I asked for a table by the water.”
She