A Heart to Rescue Read Online Free Page A

face.
    “You look stunning,” he said as he presented her with his arm.
    “You don’t look so bad yourself,” she said. It was an understatement. Nate looked downright mouthwatering. He had ex changed his pinstripe suit for black slacks, a button down blue shirt that matched his eyes, and a black sport coat that had a silver pattern design spiraling along its lining and collar. He looked casual but chic all at the same time.
    Peter ogled them as they swept out the door, but for once Mel didn’t care what he thought or would say about her. She was on the arm of a gorgeous, successful man , and she was going to enjoy her evening with him.
    Outside, a small silver sports car waited for them. “I ditched the driver for tonight. I hope you don’t mind,” Nate said as he helped her into the car.
    “I like going fast,” she replied as her fingertips dance d across the seat’s Italian leather.
    “I’ll remember that,” Nate said with a wink as he brought the car’s engine to life.
    Mel realized what she said and felt the rise of color across her cheeks. “That’s not what I meant.” Was she flirting with him? She didn’t know. She felt a bit lightheaded being in such proximity to him. His large form filled the driver’s seat, and in the small cockpit of the two-seater, her arm brushed against his no matter what position she’d sit in.
    Nate just smiled and didn’t reply. He deftly guided the car away from the curb and into traffic.
    “So where are we going for dinner? Desert Palms , Gallian’s, or Blue Pointe?” she asked casually.
    “So, you’ve been checking up on me,” Nate said without taking his eyes off the road.
    “I’m not the kind of girl to have dinner with a complete stranger ,” she said. She took the opportunity that his eyes were focused on the road to study him .
    According to her research, Nate was about five years older than she was, but they didn’t come from dissimilar backgrounds. They both attended Ivy League colleges . They were both divorced with no kids. They were bot h well-traveled and enjoyed sumptuous dining. He was exactly the type of guy she th ought she was looking for two years ago when she met Harrison. Harrison had been the exact opposite of Mel, which ultimately meant that together, they made mud.
    “A s a matter of fact, I’m not the kind of guy who has dinner with a complete stranger either ,” Nate said.
    Mel realized with a start that Nate had probably done similar research on her background . The idea froze her insides. “Oh,” was the only thing she could think to say.
    “You worried I du g up s ome skeletons in your closet?” H is tone was amused.
    “I don’t have any skeletons,” Mel said , crossing her arms over her chest.
    “We all have skeletons,” he said with a solemn glance in her direction. “The good thing for me is you already know mine.”
    Mel remembered their earlier exchange at the bar. She wouldn’t have brought it up, but Nate seemed comfortable talking about it. “You’re an alcoholic.”
    “Lots of late nights and free flowing liquor for countless number of years definitely contributed to it. In the end, I made the decision I didn’t like the guy I became when I drank. So I quit. ”
    That was something that Mel could understand. “ Then w hat made you want to drink today?”
    “I told you, tough day,” he said , avoiding the question. “Ah, here we are.”
    Mel looked out the windshield and saw that they were parked in the lot of a small restaurant with a striped green and y ellow awning. The name “ Ardore Jazz Club ” stretched across the awning. Heavy curtains covered the large windows that faced the street. She looked at Nate. “I thought we were going to one of your restaurants.”
    “I told you,” Nate said , leaning over and dropping his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I am taking you one of my favorite restaurant. Now, don’t get me wrong. My restaurants are fantastic, but this place,” he pointed