“Business has been good,” I confirmed, wondering how he knew I was an owner of the club. I’d only given my name when I made the dinner reservation.

He pulled out Viv’s chair for her and handed us both wine lists. Viv and I looked at each other across the table. I couldn’t hear a word this guy was saying. Nothing was getting through but the dance of her blue eyes and the smile tugging up the corners of her lips.

“Mr. Kane?”

“Hmm?” I glanced up.

“Some wine to start?”

“Oh. Yeah, sure. Whatever you recommend.”

“Very good, sir.”

He left and I cleared my throat. “So . . . you’ve been good?”

“Yes. Busy week at work. How about you?”

“Yeah.” I shrugged.

“So are you from New York originally?”

“Jersey, actually. Came here when I was fourteen. What about you?”

“I’m from Indianapolis. My parents still live there.”

A few seconds of silence passed. I wished like hell I was one of those guys who knew how to carry on a long conversation, but it wasn’t my thing.

Our server brought bread and wine. We both ordered steak and Viv started telling me about what kinds of cases she was working on. I liked watching her talk. Her eyes sparkled when she smiled. She liked keeping her hands busy, whether it was to brush the hair back from her face, tuck it behind her ear or run a fingertip around the edge of her wine glass.

“Are you nervous?” I asked her.

Her cheeks flushed and she looked at her lap. “Can you tell?”

“I’m nervous, too.”

“You don’t seem like someone who ever gets nervous.”

“It’s pretty rare,” I admitted.

“Well, I feel . . . really flattered right now. Is that weird?” She laughed nervously.

“No, not at all.” I took a sip of wine and coughed. Fuck that shit. It was horrible.

“Not much for wine?” Viv arched her brows and grinned.

I shook my head. “Think they’ve got pitchers of beer here?”

“I bet they do.”

“I’m kidding. We’ll drink this vile shit if you like it.”

“Oh, Kane. I really like your honesty.”

I felt a rush when she said my name like that. Oh, Kane. Damn, Viv, say it again.

When our food came, we ate in silence, but our eyes continued the dance. I wondered if she saw the lust and fear and hope I was feeling.

We finished the whole bottle of wine and shared a piece of raspberry cheesecake for dessert. Viv gave me a tentative look as she held the fork up, offering to feed me a bite. I opened my mouth and let her and damn, was it hot.

Since when did sharing a piece of fucking cheesecake make me hard? Since sharing one with Viv. I’d quickly gone from dismissing her that first night at the club to wanting her bad.

When we left the steakhouse, we walked downtown for about an hour. Viv slipped her hand into mine and I threaded my fingers through hers. It was the first time in my life I’d held hands with someone. The warm sensation was back. Or it was still there. Hell, I didn’t know. I just knew it was about thirty degrees outside and I wasn’t the least bit cold.

When Viv yawned, I texted Len to come get us. We were waiting not far from the club, and I got a sudden sense that I didn’t know how to read a woman’s signals on a date. Never going on a date would do that.

“Are you tired?” I asked. “Bored? Should I have taken you home after dinner?”

Viv smiled and rubbed a hand over my upper arm. “I’m just a little tired. Not bored at all. I’m having a really good time.”

I nodded. “Do you want me to let go of your hand?”

She leaned in, pressing her warm body against mine, and looked up at me. “No. Unless you want to put your arms around me right now. Then you can let go.”

I unlaced my fingers from hers and wrapped my arms around her waist. She was so soft, the light, sweet scent of her perfume making me want to dip my face against her neck and take in more.

She had to realize I was new at this. But she didn’t make me feel inadequate. Quite the opposite, in fact.

We stood like that, not moving, and I watched small strands of her dark hair whip up in the cold night breeze. Her cheeks were pink and her lips were a rosy red. Whether she went out with me again or not, I knew I’d never forget the way she looked right now, staring up at me like I was the only man in the world.

I was about to kiss her when I saw the Town Car approaching. Len got out but I stopped him. I wanted to open Viv’s door and help her in.

“How’s it going, Len?” I asked as he pulled away from the curb.

“Good, boss.” He met my eyes in the rearview mirror. “Good dinner?”

“Very good.”

This time my hand found Viv’s and I closed my fingers around hers. The drive back to her place was too short.

Len gave me an encouraging smile as I left the car. I opened Viv’s car door and walked her up to the door of her brownstone.

She turned her back to the door and looked up at me, silently encouraging me.

“I’ve been looking at those lips all night,” I said in a low tone.

“Hmm.” She smiled and tipped her face up.

I cupped one of her cheeks and leaned down, vowing to end our first date with the best goddamned kiss of her life.

Vivian

Kane brushed his lips across mine softly. I could tell he was testing the waters to see if I wanted more. Given how strong and domineering I’d seen him be with others, it melted me inside. I parted my lips and slid a hand around the back of his neck, silently giving him the permission he was seeking.

He wrapped a big, powerful hand around my waist and pulled me against him, his tongue brushing across mine. My heart hammered, the swirl of sensations overwhelming me. The minty taste of him and the solid feel of his hard chest against my soft curves were unexpectedly arousing.

I’d been with men who were in shape before, but never like this. Kane’s body was rock solid and I felt a sudden, powerful craving to feel the skin and muscle beneath his clothes.

His lips left mine and I moaned softly, missing the closeness. He pulled back enough for our eyes to meet, leaving his hand locked around my waist.

I liked what I saw swimming in the depths of his dark eyes. It was hunger–for me, and it matched burn inside me right now.

“Come inside,” I said, my tone barely a whisper.

The corners of his lips turned up slightly. “I’m not coming in, Viv.”

I visibly deflated with disappointment, my shoulders dropping. Kane brought his free hand up to my cheek, brushing his thumb across my cheekbone . . . down to my jaw line . . . over my lips.

Closing my eyes, I reveled in his gentle touch. For this burly, often gruff man to be caressing me this way made me hot in a way I’d never been. I ran my hands up his chest, the carved lines of muscle turning my breath into shallow pants.

He cupped my cheek in his hand and brought his mouth back to mine. I moaned again and pressed myself against him, letting my tongue tangle with his in a dance that had my pulse pounding.

When his hand slid from my waist down to cup my backside, I gasped into his mouth and pressed my fingers into his neck, needing to pull him closer. His lips lift mine but stayed close.

“Did you enjoy tonight?” he asked, his breath warm on my lips.

I let out a single note of incredulous laughter. Was he really unsure?

“Yes. Very much,” I finally said.

“Me too. Are you free next Friday night?”

“Yes.”

“Good. I’ll call you.” He brushed his thumb over my lips one more time before stepping back.

I held myself in check, not letting out the groan of the frustration I was feeling. Before our date, I’d been interested in Kane. Intrigued. I was long past that now. His dark, calculating gaze and silent detachment held me captive.

I’d never been out with a man like him. In fact, I always went for his opposite–friendly, warm and eager.