"The only thing that would make it better would be one of your sugar cookies to top it all off," he said with a smile that seemed to be genuine.
But how could he mean that when my cookies were nothing compared to the meal we had in front of us?
"You don't have to say things like that. I know the difference between a tasty snack and fine food. My sugar cookies don't belong anywhere near this meal."
He drew his eyebrows in and shook his head like he disapproved of what I said. "That's not true, Maddie. I love those cookies. Who do you think has been eating them?"
Stunned by his admission, I said, "I thought it was Magda or someone else on the staff. It's you who ate all those cookies?"
Nodding, he smiled and his face brightened again. "Yeah, I'm the one."
"I didn't even think you liked them much, and now that I'm here and see what you eat all the time, I felt a little ashamed at what I made. I imagine the desserts here are masterpieces. Certainly better than some cookies."
"I wouldn't know. I've never eaten anything here for dessert. I mostly just grab a quick bite every night I'm at work and have a drink after my day is done."
"So you don't eat all this great food all the time?" I asked, confused why anyone wouldn't take advantage of having the finest meals available to them any day of the week.
He shook his head. "No. Just a bite here and there. I think this might be the first time I've ever sat down and eaten an entire meal in my own restaurant."
Before I could stop myself, I let my curiosity come tumbling out of my mouth in a question I shouldn't have asked not only because it made me sound insecure but also because I didn't know if I would like the answer.
"Don't you bring dates here for dinner?"
I inwardly cringed as the words left my mouth, but Eric didn't seem bothered by the question and answered, "No, I generally don't bring women here to the restaurant. It never felt like someplace I'd want them to be."
"But you brought me."
"You're different."
Part of me wanted to know how I was different, but I didn't ask because I knew what he meant in a way. I'd never experienced a whirlwind relationship like we'd had so far. Eric was the first man I'd ever slept with so soon after meeting him. In fact, nothing about what we'd become so quickly had ever happened to me before.
As much as I enjoyed sitting there talking to him, he didn't seem to want to stay long after we finished our meal. Not five minutes after the last bite, he finished his wine and stood up from the table.
"Let's go. How does a drive sound?" he asked as he extended his hand to take mine.
"Okay, I guess. You don't want to stay here for a little while?"
A sly smile spread across his lips. "Not really. I just wanted to impress you. Was I successful?"
God, he could be so cute. "Yes, definitely."
"Good. Now let's go before Jack shows up and makes a move on you. I'd hate to have to go all caveman on someone twice in one day."
He held my hand and began to walk toward the secret door bootleggers had used all those years ago. As I followed him, I asked, "Why would you have to go all caveman on him?"
Eric turned around and chuckled. "Because my partner is the kind of guy who has no problems hitting on a woman while she's with a man. Even me. Since I had to hold myself back from pounding that new driver this morning, I have a feeling one wrong word from Jack and my fist would be meeting his jaw. Since I have to work with the guy, I figure it's better to just whisk you away and avoid all that."
I had to smile at his honestly. Under his icy coolness and all-business attitude, Eric was very much a typical Alpha male. No wonder I'd wanted him from the minute I met him.