“Okay.” I turn toward the back door. “Thanks, Mary. Good talk.” I feel my cheeks heating up and I don’t want her to see it, so I retreat to my apartment to put up my groceries and get ready for my date.
Yeah, I said it. Date. Because, damn it, it is. I haven’t been on one in ages. The last time I was with a man was over six months ago on my birthday, when Mary and George covered the hotel while I went out with CeCe. She took me to a bar, and I ran into a guy from college while we were there. There was nothing special about it. We drank. We danced. We hooked up. I did the walk of shame five blocks back to the hotel at four in the morning, where George greeted me with a disapproving shake of his head. It wasn’t my best moment.
So, even though I don’t want to admit it, this is a date and I’m a little excited about it.
Chapter 7
Maverick
Why am I so nervous?
I’ve been on plenty of first dates, but I honestly can’t remember ever being this anxious, with the exception of my very first date ever. I took Amy Copeland to our sophomore spring formal and incorrectly assumed we’d be having sex that evening. We weren’t really dating or anything, but I’d watched a lot of teen movies in preparation for the big night and it seemed as if losing one’s virginity after a dance was par for the course. After casually placing my hand over Amy’s knee at dinner, she abruptly shoved it off and told me not to ever touch her again.
Of course, she changed her tune when I took her to Homecoming the following fall, but I digress.
Come to think of it, maybe it’s not nerves. Maybe it’s just anticipation. I really like Carys and I’m dying to get to know her better. Whether or not this evening leads to anything other than a nice dinner, I’ll be happy to just be around her.
She fascinates me.
It’s kind of odd, though, to be taking her out in her city, when I’ve really only done touristy things on my visits to New Orleans. But I get the feeling she doesn’t get out much, so I’m hopeful she hasn’t tried the restaurant I’m taking her to, and if she has, I hope she likes it.
I also hope she lets me kiss her. And that she kisses me back. I’m not expecting things to turn physical, but I can’t deny I’m dying to feel her plump lips against mine...to discover what she tastes like. It’s all I’ve thought about since meeting her. Well, maybe not all I’ve thought about, but I’m trying not to think about that. If I did, I’d have to relieve myself and take the tension off, which would only make me late for our date and that absolutely cannot happen.
One last look in the mirror to make sure nothing is stuck in my teeth or my nose and I’m out the door, practically jogging down the stairs to the hotel lobby. I’m about halfway down the steps when I see Carys waiting for me. I slow my pace and try to appear casual, but the truth is my heart is hammering inside my chest so hard she can probably hear it. When she turns around and sees me, her face lights up and my breath catches in my throat.
Fuck me, she’s gorgeous.
She’s in a dress that hugs her curves perfectly, and her normally wild hair has been styled in loose waves cascading down her back, just begging me to wrap them around my wrist and pull.
Focus, Mav.
“Why, Mr. Kensington, are you late for our date?” Her glossy lips shine as she smiles, and I have to fight back images of her mouth doing other things in order to answer her.
I slip my hand around her waist and pull her against me. “I may be a few seconds late, but it’s only because the vision of you took my breath away, and I had to collect myself before I stumbled down the stairs.”
“Just as I suspected,” she says, placing her hand against my chest. “You’re quite the schmoozer.”
I cover her hand with mine, pretending to be shocked. “You wound me, Miss Matthews. I’d never lie about a beauty such as yours.” I know I’m playing with fire, but I can’t help but place a soft kiss just in front of her ear, briefly lingering to inhale her sweet scent. When I pull back, Carys’ eyes are dilated, and she seems to be searching for a comeback, but I believe I’ve left her speechless for once.
Taking a step back, I take her hand in mine because I need to be touching her in some way and nod my head toward the door. “Shall we?”
She clears her throat and straightens her shoulders, tightening her grip on my hand. “Yes, please.”
We don’t have to walk too far before we’re at the restaurant I’ve chosen, and thanks to our reservation, we’re immediately seated in a cozy table for two away from the larger parties dining inside.
“Have you eaten here before?” I ask her.
“No, I haven’t but I’ve been wanting to,” she says, her eyes taking in the low lighting and open ceilings. “I’ve heard great things about this place.”
“I admit, I was intimidated by not knowing how to pronounce the name, Lagniappe, but George helped me out.”
“My George? He helped you plan this?” Her expression shows surprise, as well as her appreciation that I’d seek her old friend’s advice.
“He did, indeed,” I tell her, a little pleased with myself. “And then I Googled it and checked out the menu. I like that they tied in the name of the restaurant with the menu by adding a little something extra to everything.” I give her a wink when she seems a little surprised that I did my homework. “It’s a clever idea.”
“Seems to be working for them,” she says turning her attention to the menu. “Everything looks amazing; I can’t decide what to order.”
I watch her for a second, noticing that she’s fidgeting a little, and I wonder if Carys is nervous. She mentioned that she doesn’t date often, and then George made a mention of it when I asked for a restaurant suggestion. “He loves you, you know.” I’m not sure why I feel the need to tell her something I’m sure she knows, but it never hurts to be told you’re loved, right?
“Who, George?” Her smile clearly shows she returns his affections. “I know,” she says confidently. “He’s like my second grandfather. I don’t know what I’d do without him and Mary, which is why I worry so much about him working too much.”
“Why don’t you hire more people for the hotel? Maybe it’s time for George and Mary to semi-retire. I mean, they could still be with you at the hotel, but they wouldn’t have to work as hard.”
Carys bristles at my question and I mentally kick myself for sticking my nose where it’s not wanted.
“It’s not that simple.” I can tell she’s trying to reign in her emotions. “They’re all I have left of my family and I can’t just let them go. Besides, I can’t afford another salary. It nearly killed me to hire Jules with all the extra expenses I’ve had lately.”
I slip my hand across the table and place it on top of hers, wanting to smooth things over so we don’t get off on a bad foot. “I’m not meaning to sound insensitive; I only want to help. I really like you, Carys, and I think your hotel has great potential. It just needs a few upgrades to make business boom again.”
“Firing George and Mary wouldn’t be an upgrade. They’re what keep the place going. They keep me going.” She pulls her hand away and goes back to looking at the menu.