She crossed her legs, making sure the move was slow and parted the slit of her dress well up to her thigh. “But I have Chris to take care of that for me.”
His gaze traveled down, all the way to the sharp heel of her shoe, then back up again. “Chris?” He didnt snarl it, but he wanted to.
“Mmm-hmm.”
“And whos Chris?”
“A very talented massage therapist with magic hands.” She stretched, as if under those magic hands, and added a quiet little moan. Oh, yes, she thought at the quick hitch of Jordans breathing, she had entirely new weaponry to aim at him this time around.
“A recommendation fromZoe ,” she added. “Zoesgoing to offer a variety of treatments in the salon.”
“And would that be Christine or Christopher?”
She shrugged. “I got a neck and shoulder treatment this afternoon, a kind of audition. Chris passed with flying colors.” She frowned when he zoomed past the town limits. “Were not eating in town?”
He couldnt breathe without breathing whatever shed doused herself in to drive him crazy. And by the way, he thought, in case hed forgotten she had legs that went all the way to her ears, she was going out of her way to remind him.
If his voice was a bit tight, there were good reasons for it. “Im feeding you and paying the bill. Venues my pick.”
“It better be worthy of my outfit and my appetite, or youll be paying more than the bill.”
“I remember your appetites.” He ordered himself to relax. She might be playing a hell of a game, but he hadnt come up to bat yet. “So tell me, what is the key to sexual fulfillment?”
“Read the book. You tell me, what pops into your head when you think of „key when it comes to literature?”
“Locked-door mysteries.” “Hmm. Could be another angle. How about goddess, other than in mythology?”
“Your femme fatale character. Like the mystery woman in The Maltese Falcon .”
“How is she a goddess?”
“She has the power to weave spells over a man, with sex, beauty, and lies.”
“Huh.” Deliberately, she skimmed her fingers down the long curve of her hair. “Not bad. Something to think about.” As she did, she lost track of direction and time. It was nearly eight when she brought herself back and blinked at the big white house tucked into the hillside.
Batter up, Jordan thought as he saw her eyes go wide.
“Lucianos?” Her jaw dropped. “It takes a congressional edict to get a reservation atLucianos this time of year. You have to book weeks in advance out of season, but in October you cant get in even by donating blood.”
“Youll only have to give them a pint.” He climbed out, tossed his keys to the valet.
“Ive always wanted to eat here. Way out of my league.”
“I tried to get us in for your birthday once. They didnt laugh at me, but it was close.”
“You couldnt have afforded to…” She trailed off, and couldnt help but go togoo inside. It was just the sort of thing hed have done, she remembered. Unexpectedly, recklessly done. “It was a nice thought,” she told him and kissed his cheek.
“This time I pulled it off.” He shocked her speechless by lifting her hand to his lips. “Happy birthday. Better late than never.”
“Youre being charming. Why are you being charming?”
“It goes with your outfit.” And still holding her hand, he led her up the steps.
The restaurant had once been the mountain getaway of a Pittsburgh family of some wealth and influence. Dana didnt know if it qualified as a mansion, but it certainly met all the requirements for villa wi
th its columns and balconies and porticos.
The grounds were lovely, and in spring and summer, even early fall, alfresco dining was offered in the courtyard so patrons could enjoy the gardens and the views along with a superbly prepared meal.