Page 11 of A Soldier's Temptation
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“If you did, you wouldn’t ask. I’ll do my best.”
“Thanks. I’ll call you after I get some more answers. Be careful. If they’re watching her, they’re watching you too.”
After he hung up with Colin, he jumped into the shower. Water always helped him think more clearly, probably part of the reason he functioned so well as a SEAL. By the time he was done, he’d put together a plan. Now to see if it would work.
* * *
Standing outside the door of Ariana’s apartment, John debated the odds. He’d thought about calling first, but decided he had a better chance of her saying yes if she had to look him in the face. It never hurt to play on one’s strengths. Of course, his strengths weren’t the same after he’d been nearly blown to bits almost two years ago.
Dressed for success, as his mother used to say, he hoped she’d take him up on his offer. But first, he needed to knock on the door. Why was he nervous? It’s not like this was a date even if it felt like one. He was in protection mode. Getting involved with this woman was a mistake, his brain knew it even if his heart didn’t want to hear about it.
The knock brought her to the door. Hearing the patter of Mr. Darcy’s paws on the wood floors, he waited to see if she’d look through the peephole before opening the door.
She’d checked, like he asked, the earlier scare probably had something to do with it. What he hadn’t expected was her quivering smile and tear-reddened eyes. She didn’t look like the same woman he’d spoken to a couple of hours ago.
“Are you okay? Did something happen?”
“Yeah, no, I don’t know. Umm, do you want to come in? Did you need something?”
John stepped through the door and closed it behind him, making sure it was locked and bolted. “Did something happen with your friend?” He hated not being able to fess up about what he already knew. It would make it so much easier.
“No, nothing like that. It’s something else. Anyway, I’m fine. What’s up? Do you have to leave again?”
“No, not yet. Hopefully, we have a few weeks before we head out again. Actually, I was hoping you’d have dinner with me. My fridge is empty except for beer, and I don’t feel like fast food.”
“Umm, I don’t know…” Ari hadn’t met his eyes since she’d answered the door. He hated seeing her like this. There was no way he would let those bastards harm a hair on her head.
“C’mon. It will be good to get out for a bit, no?”
“What about Mr. Darcy? I don’t like to leave him alone.”
John had been prepared for that argument. “No problem. I want to try that little Italian bistro down the street. They have tables outside, and I’ve seen other people who’d brought their dogs when dining. Have you been there?”
“Do you mean Amici’s?”
“Yup that’s it. You can’t tell me that a nice glass of red wine and a piece of lasagna doesn’t make your mouth water?”
He had her, he knew it, she knew it, and he had a feeling even Mr. Darcy knew it. His tail was wagging like crazy. “C’mon. You know you want to.”
Mr. Darcy pushed his head into her hand as if he was adding his two cents. He’d have to remember to get that dog a treat the next time he was at the store.
“Are you sure you want to eat outside?”
“Oh yeah. I did it all the time when I was in New York and ate in Little Italy. It’s cool to people watch and enjoy a great dinner. It’s even better when you have a beautiful woman to do it with.”
She didn’t answer at first but then said, “Are you flirting with me?”
“Maybe a little. I’m willing to try anything.”
He was ready for her to turn him down, but instead, she surprised him again.
“Alright. Give me about ten minutes to get ready, okay? Do you want to wait here, or I can meet you downstairs?”
“I’ll wait if you don’t mind?”
“Sure. Mr. Darcy will keep an eye on you,” Ariana said with a wink. She’d bounced back to her usual self, and hopefully, it would be enough to get her to talk to him over dinner. That was the other reason he proposed the Italian restaurant, you couldn’t eat Italian food without wine.
