Since Kyle and I moved here, we have never been able to get into that restaurant. People book months in advance. I called Peyton immediately.

“Hey girl, what’s up?”

“Remember that guy I helped home last night?”

“Y.e.a.h….”

“He wants to thank me for helping him, so he is sending his driver over to pick me up to meet him at Le Sur at 7:00.

“What?” she screamed into the phone. “Elle, who is this guy?”

“His name is Connor Black.”

I heard her gasp, “Are you fucking kidding me Elle? Do you know who Connor Black is?” I frowned and twisted my face.

“No, should I?”

“Do you live in a bubble or something? Connor Black is the CEO of Black Enterprises. He is a 30-year-old mega millionaire who took over his father’s company when he was 28. OMG Elle, he’s hot, and he’s rich, and he wants to take you to dinner?” I could hear the excitement in her voice.

“Peyton, first of all I’m not interested in any guy. I’m in the guy free zone, especially after what Kyle did to me. This man Connor Black is rude, bossy and does not have an ounce of respect for women.” I didn’t want to tell her what he said to me about his rules earlier in the day.

“He can be Elle, he’s rich and hot.”

I rolled my eyes at that last comment and told her goodbye. I didn’t feel like going out tonight and I wanted to do some painting, but it was Le Sur and I’ve been dying to go there, so I made an exception.

I rummaged through my closet trying to find something to wear. I pulled out a black dress that I wore to a friend’s wedding a couple of years ago. It was simple with spaghetti straps and a v neck. I put on some light makeup and wore my hair half up, letting the loose curls from the back cascade around my shoulders. I threw some gloss on my lips and looked at the clock, it was 6:58. I checked myself out in the mirror one last time and headed out the door.

Sitting at the curb was a black limousine with a man leaning up against it. “Miss Lane, I presume?”

“Yes, I’m Ellery Lane,” I smiled as he opened the door and helped me inside. I took in the comfort and plushness of the Limo. I felt like a princess on her way to the ball. I looked to the front where the driver was sitting.

“Excuse me, but what’s your name?”

He looked at me in the rearview mirror, “Denny, ma’am.”

“Nice to meet you Denny; is Mr. Black always so bossy?” I politely asked.

He smiled and shook his head, “Mr. Black is used to getting whatever he wants.” I rolled my eyes and looked out the window, of course he does.

I walked into the restaurant and up to the desk where a tall redheaded woman asked if she could help me.

“I’m meeting Mr. Black,” I answered. Instantly her eyes looked like daggers as she said, “Follow me.” The razor eyed redhead led me towards the back of the restaurant to the table where Connor was seated. He saw us coming and stood up. He walked over and pulled out my chair. Ok, so far he has some manners.

“Good evening Miss Lane, I’m glad you decided to join me.”

I wanted to tell him that I was only here to experience the restaurant and that if he had chosen anywhere else, I would not have attended. I sat in my chair as he walked over to his.

He wore an extremely expensive dark gray suit. His sun-kissed skin glistened more than I remembered from this morning and his hair was perfectly styled in the tousled way that was hot.

“Good evening Mr. Black, thank you for inviting me, but it really was not necessary and please call me Elle.”

He looked at me intently, “Isn’t your name Ellery?”

I took a sip of water, “Yes, but my friends call me Elle.”

He took his menu and opened it, and I was astounded by the next words that came out of his mouth.

“But we are not friends Ellery.”

Ok, I take back the whole man has manners thing, he is just downright rude.

I opened up my menu. “Alright then Mr. Black, why don’t we just stick to Miss Lane?” I saw him slightly grin from behind the menu.

“Order anything you like, it looks like you have not eaten in weeks.” I looked sternly at him.

“I eat every day Mr. Black, not that it is any of your concern.” He suddenly looked intrigued as he set his menu down.

“It’s just you are very thin.”

 What the fuck is this man’s problem. First, he says we are not friends; then he calls me anorexic.

“This is the way I was born; I’ve always been thin.”

He pressed his lips together as the waiter came to the table with a bottle of Pinot Grigio. He poured the wine in each glass and proceeded to take our order. I looked at Connor as he sat there staring at me; it was making me intensely uncomfortable, but turning me on at the same time. My heart started to beat rapidly, and a familiar ache rose from down below. Two can play this game.

“So, what’s your story Mr. Black?” He brought his wine glass to his lips and took a sip, never taking his eyes off me.

“My story?” he simply asked.

A small smile escaped my lips, “Yes, your story.”

“What’s to tell, I’m a 30 year old CEO, I have more money than I will ever need; I do not do relationships; I usually get everything I want, and I do whatever I want.” I sat there staring at him the entire time he boasted about himself.

“Now, that we got that out of the way, what’s your story Miss Lane?”

“I don’t have a story Mr. Black; I’m 23 years old; I moved here with my boyfriend a little over a year ago; I work part-time at a small record company; I paint pictures, and I volunteer at the soup kitchen.”

He sat and pondered whether or not he wanted to ask me the next question. “What does your boyfriend think about you having dinner with me?”

“He doesn’t, we aren’t together anymore. He moved out almost 3 weeks ago,” I looked down at the table.

I could sense a tiny bit of sympathy in his voice, “Oh, may I ask how long you were together?” I found it particularly odd that he was trying to get so personal.

“We were together 4 years; we met at college and moved here from Michigan.”

He raised his eyebrows, “4 years are a serious length of time.” I decided just to lay it all out there for him since he seemed so interested; it didn’t matter anyway I probably would never see him again after tonight.

“Yep, came home from work one day and said he needed space, packed his bags and walked out.” I knew the real reason he left, but I was not about to tell Connor that.

He struggled with his next words, and it caught me by surprise.

 “I’m sorry he did that to you.”

I waved my hand in front of my face. “Don’t be, nothing lasts forever.”

 He was taken aback by my choice of words, but it was the truth and I wasn’t afraid to say it.

Le Sur was just as beautiful as I thought it would be. The ambiance was breathtaking with its low lighting and romantic feel. The marble floors were exquisite as were the paintings that hung on the walls representing Paris. The tables were lined with satin cloths, and the meals served were on delicate china.

“Do you like it here?” Connor asked as he noticed me looking around.

“Yes, it is a beautiful restaurant,” I smiled.

The waiter brought our meal as Connor was about to ask me a question. “You say you volunteer at the soup kitchen, may I ask why?” The look on his face told me that he was a bit intrigued by it.

I took my fork and knife and cut up my chicken as I proceeded to answer his question.

“I like to help people in need; you should know that by now Mr. Black.”

He shook his head, “Yes, it was a dumb question to ask?”

“I had a rough childhood and let’s just say nobody was there to help me.” His eyes never left mine; he listened to every word I said closely.

“What about your parents? They did not help you?” I looked down and away from him, trying to find the right words.