Assuming this wasn’t some elaborate ruse.

If you stand me up, sweetheart, we’re going to have words.

A few seconds passed, and then she wrote back.

Please, God, no more talking.

He chuckled while responding.

Yep. Don’t think I don’t know how to punish you.

Her response came within seconds: You wouldn’t dare.

Gage grinned from ear to ear as he typed out his reply.

I’ll talk to you all night. Then again in the morning. I’ll talk to you so hard and so much you won’t be able to handle another conversation for weeks.

And send.

He called to double-check the reservation he’d made at Le Coeur’s—a fancy French restaurant in town. At first, Chloe had asked why she’d eat somewhere other than her own restaurant, but she’d seemed to melt with relief when he’d suggested that maybe she needed a night off from everything.

He thanked the hostess for confirming his reservation, then hung up and saw he had another text from Chloe.

Your threat is noted, and I believe you. I’m showing up tonight so we can finally get down to the good stuff. But I swear to God, if I buy you surf and turf and you don’t put out at the end of the evening, then I’ll be the one having words with you.

He laughed again. God, he liked her. So much. She was funny, strong-willed, and so damn sexy it made his head spin. Their little game was reversed in a lot of ways, but when it came down to it, they both played their part well. And his part was to keep a hold of Chloe and pleasure her until she couldn’t entertain the idea of anything—or anyone—else.

I see we understand each other then. See you soon, sweetheart.

His phone pinged once more.

Yes, you will.

Chloe had no idea what she was doing. It’d taken her all day and more research than she’d care to admit to prepare for tonight’s date. The cute little restaurant was on the waterfront, and Gage sat at a table nestled in the corner with a single candle in the middle. She hadn’t meant to be late, but she was.

Now he probably thought she was standing him up. Well, maybe that’d make him all the more eager when she finally went over. Assuming he didn’t walk out.

She shook her head and banished the thought. He wouldn’t walk out. And she shouldn’t care if he did.

She stood near the bar and watched the strong, capable search and rescuer sitting alone. Waiting for her.

She’d give him what he wanted just this once. This one night, one date, one act of romance, she could handle that much. At least, that was the pep talk she’d been dishing to herself since the almost sex they’d had in the woods.

He’d asked her questions as though he really did want to know her more. Know about her mother. Her past. And that scared her. Because deep down, she wanted to open up to him. She trusted him. Which was why she’d shown up at all tonight. But if she thought too long about it, she might back out.

Instead, she took a step forward.

She adjusted her purse—which felt heavier than normal—and then smoothed one hand down her dress and walked to her…date.

When he caught her walking toward him, those incredible eyes of his lit up. A man looking at her like that did weird things to her chest. Then again, it wasn’t any man who could do this to her with a look; only the man she wanted.

Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she suppressed a nervous giggle.

Gage stood, walked around the table, and pulled her chair out for her. “You look beautiful.”

Oh, he was good. His simple gesture and smooth words coated her skin like rich honey.

“So do you.” She took in his pressed shirt and black pants. He smelled like leather, spice, and all man—she could get lost in his scent.

“Before I sit, I have some stuff for you,” she said.

Gage raised a brow as she fished through her purse.

“Here.” She handed him a mini bouquet of roses. Actually, now that she looked at the semi-smooshed flowers, maybe it hadn’t been the wisest idea to carry them in her purse.

He laughed and took them anyway. “Nice touch.”

She handed him a note. “And this is for you, too.”

He unfolded it. His soothing laugh came back, and her face warmed.

“You’re hot?” he asked, reading the two words she’d scribbled on the paper.

“It’s true.” She shrugged. “And here’s one more thing.” She grabbed the last present and handed it to him.

“Edible panties?” He grinned at the packaged strawberry thong. “I like where your mind is at, sweetheart, but I don’t think these will fit me.”

“These are romantic,” she declared proudly. “I Googled it.”

He took a step closer, and his smile turned into something more serious. “What do you mean?”

She shrugged, trying really hard not to feel like an idiot. But tonight was important to him, and she was actually trying. Even if, judging by his reaction, she was doing pretty terribly. Nothing to do but admit how much she was lacking in this department.

“I read up on romance.” She stared at her feet. “The top romantic suggestions included surprise your date with flowers…” She glanced at the ceiling, concentrating on recalling every pointer from the website. “Write your date a sweet note.”

Granted, all she’d come up with was You’re hot, but she was still a novice at the romance stuff.

He took a step closer and cupped her hip, silently asking her to go on.

She finally met his gaze. “And prepare your date’s favorite dessert.”

“That’s why you asked earlier?” he said.

She nodded. “And since you said your favorite dessert was me…” She leaned in a little, and the wrapper of the edible panties crinkled a bit in his tight grip.

“You’re very clever. And I love all of it.” He gently kissed her lips, soft but thorough, stealing her breath and thoughts.

This was so out of her element. “You don’t think it’s stupid?” She wasn’t good with romance, but she wanted to make Gage feel all the things he made her feel. Wanted. Special. Seen.

“You’re incredible, sweetheart,” he whispered against her lips. “Thank you.”

Chloe smiled—she’d won a small victory here. Maybe he was right. Maybe this romance thing wasn’t so bad. Granted, she’d given her date a fruit-flavored thong in the middle of a five star restaurant, but whatever.

She gave him a final kiss, then took her seat. Gage set his gifts on the edge of the table and sat, too.

Across the white linen and flickering candle, his eyes sparkled. Looking at this man made her melt. Just being across from him was its own delicious kind of foreplay hinting at what the night would bring when they finally made it to the bedroom. Why hadn’t she agreed to this sooner?

Oh, right. Because she was feeling something for him. A lot of something.

But she wouldn’t get caught up in those thoughts and fears. Not with so much riding on tonight.

Tonight, she wouldn’t overthink it. She’d just enjoy dinner.

And later, she’d enjoy him.

“Five star restaurant and we cut out for ice cream?” Chloe said, walking along Main Street, licking her vanilla ice cream cone. Vanilla. Not chocolate. As far as Gage could figure, her choice indicated she was neither sad nor stressed. Excellent.

He also knew the creamery was her favorite. Every time they’d talked in the past, she’d brought up the flavor she’d tried that week.

“Thought you’d like my dessert choice.” He took a lick of his own strawberry cone.

Her eyes met his. “I do. Very much.”

Gage had never expected tonight to go as well as it did. Dinner was wonderful, but Chloe was even better. She was trying, which meant she clearly cared about him—that alone was enough to make him hold on to the hope they could actually make this work.

They walked down the street, the lights of the nearby shops twinkling. She slipped her free hand into his, and it felt good. Better than good. It felt right. As though strolling down the street after a nice night of talking and laughing was so normal, he could feel it in his bones.