This hot man is pushy and I like it. I step in front of him. “I’m sorry, Michael. Declan and I are…old friends. I don’t see you and I continuing on. I’d hate to waste your time and money tonight. I hope we can part as friends.”
Declan looks at me in challenge. “You don’t owe him an apology.”
I challenge him right back. “I do owe him an apology. I just kissed another man on our date and I’m ending it early. He doesn’t deserve to be mistreated.”
Declan squeezes my hand. “Napoleon here lied to you off the bat about hissize. You’re the one that’s been mistreated, not him.”
Oh man. This guy is pissing me off. I let go of his hand and point to the front of the restaurant. “Declan, go wait for me out front. Now.” He pauses for a moment. I can tell he doesn’t like being told what to do. But eventually, he does head out toward the front door.
I turn to Michael. “I’m very sorry for that, Michael. I meant what I said. I hope we can part as friends.”
He gives me a resigned smile. “Of course we can. Be careful with that guy. He’s a bit of a Neanderthal.”
I nod in agreement as I pick up my purse and head to the front door. I’m frankly not sure if Declan will be there when I leave the restaurant. I can’t believe how much I want him to be.
I walk out the front door and am immediately grabbed by big hands. His lips softly kiss mine. He smiles. “Let’s have some angry make-up sex after our first fight as a couple.”
I can’t help but laugh. “We aren’t a couple,caveman. You don’t even know my name.”
He rubs his fingers along my face as he stares into my eyes. “You bet I do, Melissa. I’m about a minute away from getting it tattooed across my heart so you’re mine forever.”
I look at him in question.
He smirks. “Pocket man in there was good for something.” Ah, Michael called me by my name.
“You didn’t need to be mean to him. He can’t help that he needs a phonebook to see over the steering wheel.”
Declan laughs. “I’m just all about honesty. It’s a thing for me. He lied to you. You owed him nothing.”
“That guy has enough problems without a man that looks like you picking on him.”
He gives me a sexy smile. “So you think I’m hot?” He’s still right in my face.
“You said you like honesty so, yes. I do think you’re attractive. Very attractive.”
He licks his lips. “I’ll give you some more honesty. All I’ve been thinking about since you walked in is tearing off your clothes and doing very naughty things to you.”
I’ve never in my life met a more direct person, with the possible exception of Cassandra. Certainly not a man like this. It’s both bizarre and refreshing. Equally bizarre that I want to let him do those things to me.
“You won’t be tearing my clothes off tonight, but why don’t we go for a walk so we can talk for a bit. Get to know each other. You know, like normal people when they first meet?”
He lifts his head. “Fine, but full disclosure, I’m not really normal, and I’ll be undressing you with my eyes the whole time.”
I smile. The feeling is mutual.
He takes my hand in his as we walk away from the restaurant. I’m able to truly look him up and down now. He’s as tall as I assumed. His body is masculine and hard. He’s sexy as hell and my attraction to him is palpable.
He catches me ogling him and winks at me. “Melissa, tell me about yourself, including your last name.”
“I’m Melissa Knight. I’m a divorcee with three grown sons, and three grandkids, two of which are brand new.”
He stops in his tracks and looks at me. “You’re a grandmother? How old are you?”
I smile. I get this reaction all the time. “I’m fifty-two. How old are you?”
“I’m fifty, but I have a seventeen-year-old daughter. Not three grown kids and a few grandkids.”
I nod as we continue walking again. “I got pregnant in college. I was a very young mother.”