Page 119 of Sinful Promise

DANIL

This is turningout to be the perfect evening.

Though any night spent in the company of Emily Mullens would make for a perfect night.

I suppose I was taking a gamble when I rang up an old friend, who happens to be a silent partner forLe Petit, and asked for a table without even asking Emily on a date. But I knew she would say yes.

I’d say that as first dates go, this one is turning out to be a raving success. Though there’ve been a few times where I’ve been so distracted by how incredible she looks that I stumble over my words and forget my train of thought like a complete idiot. Or I’ve not realized that she’s asked me a question because I was too busy staring at her.

I just have to hope that Emily finds it endearing…

Under the warm candlelight, her bright green eyes almost sparkle.

It hasn’t gone unnoticed that a few other men in the vicinity of our table have made no attempt to hide their interest in her.

I can’t blame them. She is the most beautiful woman in the restaurant by far, and the fact I get to spend the evening sitting across from her is an immense privilege, and one I do not take for granted.

Emily sets down her fork and wipes at the corner of her mouth. “So, tell me. Who is your favorite brother?”

I throw my head back and laugh at her question.

So far, the conversation has mostly consisted of pretty heavy topics, but that’s my fault. I went straight in with the life plan and marriage and kids, though I’m not sorry I did.

When Emily said that marriage and kids were definitely on her radar with the right person, I thought my heart was going to explode out of my chest.

It’s very out of character for me to bring up such a topic, considering the fact that any relationship I’ve been in in the past, I’ve always broken it off before it ever got anywhere close to the serious stage. So, the fact that I was the one bringing this up and actually wanting to know her answer was a yes is a good sign. Actually, a great sign, as I can see myself with Emily by my side years from now, regardless of her role in my life, but hopefully as my wife.

And with the way I feel about my nieces and nephews, I wonder if a few little ones of our own wouldn’t be just the cherry on top.

Though, I suppose we should at least have the conversation about where this is going before we start talking about kids…

I reach for my glass of wine. “I guess my preference changes on a daily basis.”

The chef very kindly made us our own personal tasting menu and paired each sample dish with a different wine.

She smiles. “Okay. Who’s your favorite today?”

“I’d have to say Mikhail.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because he has been the least annoying. Though, the night is young. There’s still time for my answer to change.”

“I wish I had brothers.”

“You wouldn’t be saying that if you grew up with three of them. Five if you count Anton and Nikolai. And, of course, now there’s Lev.”

“It sounds like a lot of fun, growing up in a big family.”

“Well, you’re part of one now.”

“I guess.”

“Okay, if you had to pick any one of my brothers’ wives to have as a sister instead of Zara, who would you choose?”

Emily’s eyes widen.

“I can’t choose! That’s so mean.”

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