Page 30 of Mr. Delicious
“I’m just a guy who wants to take you to Paris on a date. Is that really so strange?” he grinned.
“Yes,” I replied, even though I was completely besotted with his response and couldn’t help but smile back myself.
“I like you,” he gave me that overtly sexual look again that totally made me blush uncontrollably.
My cheeks warmed, and I knew he could see I was blushing.
“I like you, too.” I was trying to be as forward as he was, even though it felt a little unnatural to me.
“Then let’s just go.” He rocked back on his heels in a laid-back manner and pushed his hands in his pockets.
How I would love to say ‘yes.’But how?
I was already going to be late back to work and poor Selene and Denise would be rushed off their feet. I couldn’t have more time off. Paris wasn’t exactly down the road.
“I want to. I would love to, but, um, I can’t. I have to get back to work.” I felt like crying, and the backs of my eyes stung at the thought of what I was turning down.
“Work?” He actually looked relieved at that excuse.
“Yeah, um…” I felt that I owed it to him to give him some context. “I know it looks like I’m doing well at the coffeehouse, but I’m not. I made some really bad business decisions and my ex left me with a mountain of bills to pay. I would really love to accept this amazing offer to go to Paris with you, but I can’t take the time off.”
He looked concerned for me but then the twinkle in his eyes returned. “I’m really sorry to hear that, but let’s just say I may have taken the liberty of taking care of the coffeehouse for a week or so, just so we could have this getaway of ours.”
I blinked at him, again not quite understanding what he meant.
“You… I don’t get it.”
He laughed again. “I figured you may be concerned with the coffeehouse, so I spoke to your staff and I got a few extra hands from my restaurant in town.”
A smile tugged at my heart and made its way to my lips. This guy was unbelievable.
“I can’t believe you would do that. And you have a restaurant?”
“A few.”
“Really? God.”
“So, what do you say? Do you want to go to Paris?”
“For a week?” I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Or however long you want,” he replied, his voice heavy with seduction.
“Oh my God.” This was real,but God… “I don’t even have any clothes.”
“I sorted that out. There’s a week’s worth of clothes already in Paris waiting for you. And we can go shopping when we get there.”
All I could do was stare, open mouthed. “ This is for real?” The excitement was bubbling within me.
“It’s real. But … all I ask is one thing.”
“What’s that?” I couldn’t imagine what it could be.
“No business and no worrying. Screw the bills and responsibilities.”
Those were my very words.
I tilted my head to the side and regarded him. “Screw the bills and responsibilities?”
