She laughed, and he felt her arms tighten around his waist. Damn, she was soft and beautiful!
“Right,” Pepper sighed. Something occurred to her and she pulled back slightly, looking up at him. Really looking at him now that she’d finally given him that dire warning. “Wait, why are you still in a suit?” she asked, blinking at his silk tie and white dress shirt before lifting those incredible blue eyes up to meet his astounded gaze.
“I’m taking you out to dinner,” he replied. “What else would I be wearing?”
She laughed and, for some reason, the melodic sound eased the tension that had once again been building between them. The tension didn’t dissipate, but it lightened. At least for a few moments.
“How about a pair of jeans?” she suggested. “A casual sweater?”
He lifted an eyebrow, shaking his head with amused disdain. “I don’t do jeans.”
She laughed again and those blue eyes danced merrily. “Well, then I need to change into something more formal.”
“Don’t change,” he countered, pulling off his jacket and tossing it over a chair. He loosened his tie and tossed that over the jacket, unbuttoning the top two buttons on his dress shirt and folding up his sleeves. “There. I’m casual as well. Let’s go.”
He took her hand and led her out of the apartment, feeling her fingers tighten around his. Why that tightening felt so significant, he wasn’t sure, but it felt damn good!
Chapter 4
Pepper stared out the window of the limousine at the elegant sign over the door of the restaurant. “This…is the kind of thing that you like?” she asked, not particularly impressed.
He stepped out of the limousine and held his hand out to her. “This is a good restaurant. Do you not like seafood?”
She glanced back up at the embellished sign over the door, then at the doorman in the red jacket, gold buttons and black top hat.
“I’m sure it’s a lovely restaurant,” she replied, tugging her white sweater closer around her, trying to hide the cheerful yellow sundress. A half hour ago, she’d pulled on the dress, thinking she looked fresh and pretty. But this restaurant catered to the ultra-rich. People were wearing designer cocktail dresses and Manolo Blahnik shoes. Definitely not in the same league as her refurbished dress, no matter how unique it might appear.
He stepped in front of her, looking into her worried eyes. “Pepper, if you don’t want seafood, I’ll find another place to eat. But if you want seafood, then I guarantee that this restaurant is the best.”
She bit her lip, peering around him once again. When she straightened, she looked up at him with concern. “Dimitri, this is fine. I just…I expected somewhere more casual. It’s fine.”
He chuckled. “You’re going to feel uncomfortable in that place, aren’t you?”
She shrugged, not denying the potential. “You took off your jacket and tie. Won’t you feel out of place?”
He put a hand to the small of her back, leading her back to the limousine. “Pepper, I’ve reached the point in my life where I make my own rules and I don’t give a damn about anyone else’s. So no, I wouldn’t feel uncomfortable. But I want you to feel relaxed. So, let’s find another place.”
She smiled gratefully up at him as they both stepped back into the limousine. “I have an idea,” she offered, looking at him with hope.
“Am I going to like this idea?” he asked, looking as wary as she’d been a moment ago.
She grinned. “What happened to setting your own rules and being brave?”
“I never said anything about bravery. But…whatever. What’s your idea?”
She looked around, then spotted the small gourmet grocery store on the next block. “Let me out here,” she called out to the driver.
“This isn’t a restaurant, Pepper,” he warned, stepping out onto the sidewalk as well.
She waved to him dismissively. “I know that. Just…trust me, okay?”
He didn’t reply, but simply lifted a dark eyebrow in response.
She huffed a bit. “Okay, don’t trust me, but stay right here. I’ll be right back.”
He shook his head. “No. I’m coming with you.” And with that, he put a hand to the small of her back and followed her into the store. Instead of the normal carts with rubber wheels, this exclusive place had wicker baskets. Pepper grabbed a basket and found a box of interesting crackers, then moved over to the cheese area. Feeling painfully aware of Dimitri behind her, she surveyed the options carefully, biting her lip for fear that she’d choose something gauche. Turning, she looked up at him and asked, “Do you have a favorite type of cheese?”
He smiled, but shook his head, leaning against one of the cement columns that had been erected to make the building look more rustic and authentic. “Whatever you prefer,” he replied easily.
With a sigh, she turned back to the deli counter, ignoring the assistant’s impatient attitude. “I’ll have some brie,” she told the woman.
The woman rolled her eyes as she moved to the soft cheese area. “Do you have a particular brie in mind?”
Pepper was irritated so she went with her old fallback. “I want something that is creamy and flavorful, but not too strong. Can you recommend a particular brie?”
The woman perked up slightly, obviously eager to convey her superior knowledge. Pepper tried samples of three different brie and chose one that was creamy, with a bit of a tangy bite.
“Thank you,” she replied to the assistant and turned to face Dimitri once again. “We should get a bottle of wine too, but I know even less about wines than I do about cheeses. So how about if you choose a wine? I’m sure it will be delicious.”
He chuckled. “We’re having more than just cheese and crackers, Pepper.” With that, he added olives, a package of pre-sliced salami and other hard meats, several more cheese selections, more crackers, and two bottles of red wine. “That should do it,” he said, and took the wicker basket from her arm, heading towards the cashier.
“I can pay for this,” she protested. “It was my idea.”
He looked down at her as if she’d lost her mind. “Not going to happen, Pepper,” he said, handing the cashier his credit card. “You tried that last night too. Why do you think I will ever allow you to pay for our meals?”
She stepped back, her lips twisting slightly. “I don’t think its right for the man to always pay,” she replied with a bit of belligerence. “I have money, Dimitri. I can afford to pay.”
“Right,” he replied, taking the paper bag the cashier handed to them. “I added in wine glasses, cutting board, and a knife, just so you know.”
She hadn’t thought about that, but those additions would be a good idea. “Thank you,” she smiled up at him. “Now, we go star gazing,” she said.
He stopped, looking back at her. “Star gazing?” he repeated. “Why?”
She laughed. “Because it’s an excellent way to be in a quiet place where we can talk and get to know one another. Are you up for it?”
He grumbled quietly as he opened the door for her. “Fine. Do you do anything in a traditional manner?”