“Because you’re terrible in the mornings, and even worse when you’re tired. And you had reason to be tired. You had an active night.”
“You were there, too, remember?”
His eyes met hers in the mirror. “I remember.”
She backed away but he snaked out a hand and closed his fingers round her wrist. “Where are you going?”
“To make breakfast.”
“Not today. I’m taking you out. There’s a place around the corner. French bistro. You’ll love it.” He released her and turned back to the mirror.
“But your book—”
“I’ve finished a first draft. I need some space away from it before I tackle it again.”
“You’ve finished it?” She was thrilled for him. “How many words?”
“A hundred thousand. And a first draft doesn’t mean it’s finished.”
“A hundred thousand?” Eva felt weak. “If I write a hundred words for my blog I think I’m doing well. Do you usually write that fast when you get going?”
“No.”
“But this time you were desperate.”
“This time I was inspired.”
Even though she’d given herself a firm talking-to about not reading more into their relationship than there was, his words warmed her insides. “Because I’m the perfect murderess.”
The smile spread across his face, slow and sexy. “You’re the perfect something. I haven’t worked out what yet.”
“Unless you want me to remove that towel and do bad things to you, I should probably get dressed.”
“That sounds like a good idea. I can’t have sex again until I’ve replenished some of the ten million calories we used up last night.”
It was another hour before they finally left the apartment and headed out.
The French Bistro on Lexington Avenue was cozy and personal and Eva was charmed.
“It’s like being back in Paris. How did I not know about this place?”
“You live in Brooklyn.”
It was obvious Lucas was a frequent visitor. The café was packed, but they were shown to a little table by the window.
Eva shrugged off her coat and slid into her seat. “I had a text from Harry. She’s keeping the puppy for another few days, but she’s been in touch with the animal adoption center and they’re confident they won’t have any trouble finding a loving home for him.”
“That’s good.”
It was good. So why did she feel a tug of disappointment?
Reminding herself that she didn’t have time to care for a dog, Eva glanced down at the menu in front of her but Lucas picked it up and handed it back to the waiter.
Without consulting her he ordered for both of them and Eva raised her eyebrows.
“Are you developing controlling tendencies?”
“You’ve been deciding what we eat for the past couple of weeks. It’s my turn. And I eat here all the time. I know what’s good.” He sat back in his chair. “You wanted that puppy, didn’t you?”