“I hope so.” I shrug and take another sip before raising an eyebrow. “Dessert?”
“If you’re offering.” She smirks. She doesn’t bother being coy. She doesn’t need to impress me and I kind of like that. Girls have been throwing themselves at me since high school and I have no problem taking advantage of it. Ellen’s never done that. It’s refreshing, and it helps keep things professional.
“As it so happens, I am. Try the Italian kisses. I hear they’re divine.” I murmur.
Her cheeks color and she shoots back, “I bet you’d know all about that.”
“Maybe I do. I could show you later.” Our eyes meet and she looks away quickly.
I call over the waitress. She hurries over and we order our desserts. I’m pleased when Ellen orders the Italian kisses, despite my jab. I order a tiramisu and we both grab a coffee.
Dessert is exquisite as usual and we eat it in relative silence. My worries gnaw at me, making the coffee taste a little too bitter. If this doesn’t go through, my company will plummet and I’ll be in a lot of trouble. I have a few big deals lined up, all riding on this money coming through. If it does, the family business, and my life, will flourish. If not… I sigh and take a sip of my coffee. If not, I don’t even want to think about what will happen.
I’ve worked too hard to let it happen. My grandmother’s ideals of marriage and children are not going to hold me back. I love her dearly and I honor her memory, but I’m just not cut out for a long-term relationship. I never have been and I doubt it will change. Even as I near thirty, the thought just does not appeal to me.
Ellen throws me a concerned look, “Something on your mind?”
I shrug, an easy smirk tugging at my lips. It’s best that I keep this to myself – I don’t need her thinking I’m going soft. I don’t want her to worry about our deal. “As a matter of fact, yes… you naked with my tiramisu in strategic places.”
For a moment she looks so shocked that it is all I can do not to burst out laughing. I settle for a chuckle instead. Ellen finds her voice as she glares at me, “Cade, that is… completely inappropriate!”
“Why?” I counter smoothly, “Of course, it would be inappropriate for a working relationship… but we’re engaged.”
I meet her gaze and I can see her struggling to come up with a retort to that. I press my advantage with a smile, “I suppose your previous boyfriends never said anything like this?” I look at her intently and she blushes and turns her head away.
I feel something stir within me, a feeling in my gut that I have not felt in a long while. “You’ve had boyfriends before, right?”
She throws me a dark look, “Of course I have!”
“What about sex?” I murmur, a low whisper. I know that no one else can hear, but Ellen blushes like the whole restaurant can hear.
“None of your business! Your fiancée or not.” She looks at me sharply.
I grin and drop the topic. She has told me everything that I need to know. She’s never had a man touch her – at least, not in the way I would.
My insides tighten and I feel a stirring below my belt. I have another few sips of my coffee as I consider her over the table, “Okay. None of my business.”
Ellen nods sharply, but I can tell she is relieved. She crosses her legs and I catch a glimpse of skin. I shift. It is going to be difficult to keep this strictly professional. It’s going to be very hard indeed, with a woman like this on my arm. I knew she was lovely, but I had no idea how much. Hair up in a ponytail, wearing slacks and a bleach-stained T-shirt, I had no idea how much more there was to her.
“Will you join me for a walk?” I set down my cup and Ellen looks surprised. I reassure her easily, “An after-dinner stroll. I hear the lights of the city are quite lovely from the path.” I gesture to the walkway outside.
Ellen nods and I see her relax a little, “Yes, of course.”
“Great.” I smile and call over the waitress, asking for the bill. She is prompt to bring it and I notice the thank-you note scribbled on the bottom of the receipt. Good service. I tip her well and pay cash.
“Let me pay my half.” Ellen is rummaging in her purse. Surprise rushes through me. I am not used to going out with women who pay their own way. Ellen doesn’t have much money to spare, or so I gather, and I am surprised to see her offering.
She seems to be full of surprises. I hand over the bill to the waitress and shake my head at Ellen, “I asked you out. I proposed. I pay.” I chuckle. “It would be pretty bad of me if I asked you to marry me and couldn’t even pay for dinner.” I shrug.