Page 53 of Midnight Enemy

“She’s beautiful.”

He smiles; that’s pleased him. “She is.”

I inhale. “That’s so good.”

“New car smell. Nothing like it.”

“She smells of you.”

He smiles again. Oh my. If he keeps smiling like that, I’m not going to be any good to anyone.

“Of course she’s far too extravagant,” I say. “Mr. Ostentatious.”

“That is actually my middle name.”

“You know what? I wouldn’t be shocked.”

He just laughs.

“What restaurant are we going to?” I ask.

“It’s called Tutto Bene. It’s Italian.”

“I kinda gathered that from the name.”

“Are you going to be sassy all evening?”

“Probably. Is that a problem?”

He opens his mouth to say something, then closes it again.

“What were you going to say?” I ask.

“Nothing.”

“Spit it out, Cavendish.”

“I was going to say it’s only a problem if you don’t enjoy getting spanked.”

It was so not what I thought he was going to say that I feel myself flush scarlet. He notices and laughs. “You did ask.”

“Jeez.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t tease you. I promise I’ll try to rein myself in. Look, the restaurant is really nice. Tutto bene means ‘Everything’s fine’ or ‘All is well.’ You like Italian?”

“I do. We had an Italian woman stay with us last year and she was a really good cook. She used to make lasagnas the size of Australia for the whole commune. And her own garlic bread.”

“I love garlic bread.”

“Me too.”

“They do a great flatbread at the restaurant with mozzarella and rosemary. We’ll have to have some of that.”

I fiddle with the clutch on my lap. “Have you taken many women there?”

His eyebrows rise. “You mean girlfriends? No, none. I’ve been there a couple of times for business lunches.” He glances at me. “I wouldn’t take you to somewhere I’ve taken other women.”

“Why?” I ask, puzzled. “I’m not your girlfriend.”

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