“Now then, are you a wine drinker or a cocktail drinker?”
Phoebe smiled as she spread her napkin on her lap and picked up the menu. “Depends on the day.”
“Well, in that case, how was your day?” he asked with a smile.
“My day was…” She stopped herself short and cleared her throat. No need to scare the man off on the first date. “My day was just fine. After all, I got to meet this great new guy and go on a date with him.” Cheesy! Good lord, don’t say anything like that again, you’ll ruin it.
Mitch laughed. “Right back at you. So a bottle of red then?”
“Bottle of red will do just fine,” she said, then settled back in her chair as the waitress came to get their order started. Mitch kept the conversation light for the most part, asking about her job and if she liked what she did. Part of her really didn’t want to get into her job, not yet. But the second she told him what she did, he took it as a sign that she wanted to know all the ins and outs of his job. All the ins and outs. Every last thing he did as he went about his day as VP of this great company.
Phoebe tried to pay attention, contributing at the right times with a question or a nod. His jokes were dry, and she really just wanted to down the rest of the bottle in front of her and call it a night. But that was rude, and if her mother had taught her anything before she started to lose it, it was to be polite and respectful, no matter whose company one was in. So Phoebe sat back and listened.
***
Riley was going to throttle Ben if he ever made it out of this restaurant alive. The only good part about the night so far was that he was eating the food he’d wanted, even if the present company was not what he’d had in mind. The woman, Trisha, was pretty enough. She had long blonde hair that reflected the candlelight from their table, high cheekbones, and bright green eyes. But it was those eyes…they watched him like a hawk. Like she was waiting to hunt him down and eat him.
Figuratively speaking, of course.
He rubbed his forehead as he forced another laugh to drown out her high-pitched hyena bark. It was horrifying to think these were the type of women he’d be dealing with. Gold diggers. The way this one kept mentioning her job and how little she earned for what she did, he knew exactly what would happen the second they were hitched.
“Did you hear me?” she asked and patted his hand gently.
“Hmm? Oh, I’m sorry, work on my mind and all.”
“It’s all right, Ben,” she said. Riley had told Ben that if he was going to be on this damn website, he was not using his real name. At least not until he met the right woman that he didn’t feel was going to put him into an early grave. Or rob him blind. “I know you’ve had quite the week.”
“Yes, but that’s no excuse to be rude.”
“Well, if your mind is not on dinner, we can always go somewhere else.”
“I know there’re a few movies—oh!”
He almost flew out of his chair when her hand was suddenly at his groin, massaging him through his jeans. He glanced around but no one paid any attention to them.
“I was thinking somewhere more private,” she whispered as she sidled closer and licked her lips.
“Ah, well…you see…” he muttered, trying to focus. Though he didn’t necessarily like this woman, it was hard not to be aroused by what her hand was doing. And she felt it, too. Her smile only widened as she nuzzled his neck.
“I’ve always wanted to see what a penthouse looks like.”
Riley nodded, then gently removed her hand. “I have to run to the restroom right quick, then we can head out. Maybe order us a bottle of wine and dessert to go?” She nodded enthusiastically and called out loudly for their waiter as Riley hurried through the tables to the back of the restaurant. Hopefully, no one noticed the bulge in his pants. Too hard to try and readjust himself out here with everyone watching. He neared the bathrooms, passing several other tables with couples. He started to turn back around when his eyes caught sight of a young woman with long auburn hair that trailed down her back. It was a stunning shade, and Riley paused for just a moment to see if she’d turn.
She did. Her green eyes looked bored as she stared off into nothing and sipped her wine. The man at the table kept talking away, and Riley could hear the smile in his voice, though he couldn’t see his face clearly. Riley frowned. At least he wasn’t the only one having a bad night. He stared just a moment longer at the gentle curve of her cheek and lips before he turned down the hall that lead to the bathrooms. Too bad he couldn’t have been on a date with her. At least she didn’t look like a money-grabbing hyena.