“I do.” She took a deep breath. “I have more than a feeling, which is why I’m here. I haven’t been out with anyone since the last time I was with the guy I divorced. I didn’t like anyone I met enough to bother with it.”
“But me?” he prompted, needing to hear it.
“But you I want. Bad.” She swallowed audibly. “I have feelings, but I think you knew that.”
“It’s nice to hear it, though.”
“Did you mean it when said you were all in?”
Her voice was heartbreakingly soft and hopeful. He leaned in so she’d see the truth in his eyes. “I never say something I don’t mean, and I’ll never lie to you.”
“Okay. Okay.” Nodding, she exhaled as she looked at her wine. “I think I need more wine.”
Laughing, he topped her off and then lifted his glass. “To being all in.”
She clinked her glass against his, but instead of taking a sip, she watched him. “I think I’m falling in love with you too.” She made a face. “No, I’ve already fallen.”
He kissed her, a gentle kiss because he knew she’d be embarrassed by more as public as they were.
She put her hand on his face. “I wasn’t expecting this. I’m turning thirty-five, and I have nothing. I don’t have a career, and I don’t have a house or really any sort of life. I don’t have anything to offer.”
He smiled ruefully. “I’d thought that about myself.”
She shook her head. “What are you talking about? You’re handsome and rich and have the world at your feet.”
“All that’s shallow. I didn’t feel like I had anything of substance to offer anyone.”
“About your career—”
“I turned it down for me,” he interrupted quietly. “I wasn’t happy with the life any longer.”
“What are we going to do?” she asked, biting her lip.
“We’re going to enjoy ourselves. I’m going to listen to you tell me about your presentation today, though I know you aced it, and I’m going to tell you about Erik going out on a date tonight.”
She perked up. “Erik met someone?”
“It’s a blind date Chris set up. The niece of a customer.”
“Clancy’s is wonderful that way.” She winced. “Which brings me to my presentation, and itdidgo really well, but I found out some things that I wasn’t happy about.”
He frowned, seeing how much whatever it was bothered her. “Want to talk about it?”
“Not tonight.” She shook her head and then took another sip. “Can we focus on just us tonight?”
“Of course. We’ll drink wine and have dinner and laugh.” He brushed a finger along her shoulder. “Then we’re going discuss whether we want to go somewhere where my mates and your grandmother won’t find us, so I can take off those fancy knickers of yours before I have you for dessert.”
She shivered. “I can be amenable to that discussion.”
He saw their waiter coming back, so he nodded to the menu. “What would you like for dinner?”
They ordered, and, despite the palpable anticipation for later, they relaxed in each other’s company like they always did. He felt as comfortable with her as he did with Coco and his other cousins. The only thing that was different was the deep hunger he had to feel her naked skin against his own.
Later.
After their appetizers, Rachel leaned back, her leg folded on the seat to face him, her wineglass cradled in her hand. “Do you like Chicago?” she asked out of the blue.
He knew she was gauging if he’d be willing to move here. “I’ve always liked Chicago. I came here with my parents as a teen. My mum was featured at the contemporary art museum here.”