Sweet in Love Read Online Free

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    His gaze skimmed her from top to bottom then rose back to her eyes. “You look gorgeous.”
    “Thanks.”
    “Shall we?”
    She nodded and climbed inside the car, and he started them off to La Mer. Something soft and soothing was playing on the radio. “What is that?”
    “Gershwin’s concerto in F.”
    “I didn’t know you liked it.”
    “I don’t like it the way most people like music.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I listen to it only when I drive and don’t want to answer any calls.”
    Brooke frowned. “Don’t you
have
to answer them?”
    “Not tonight. I have someone more important to talk to.”
    Her face warmed in the dark car. She wasn’t at all flattered—of course not—even as her heart fluttered. His resolve wouldn’t last long. People in his line of work simply did not ignore calls or alerts and pings. Gavin, for example, checked his various mobile devices to the point that it seemed like a nervous tic. It’d gotten better after he’d cut back, but as an associate still climbing the corporate ladder Pete didn’t have that luxury. On the contrary, he’d actually have more on his plate now that the Big Boss was taking it easy.
    As the Mercedes pulled into the driveway in front of La Mer, a uniformed valet stepped up to open the door for Brooke and take the keys from Pete. The restaurant glowed a deep blue like the Pacific. Plants in the miniature garden leading to the entrance resembled coral, orange and yellow lights turning them colorful.
    The maître d’ took them to one of the best tables in the restaurant, situated along the famous aquarium wall. Fish of various vivid colors swam in the floor-to-ceiling water, staring goggle-eyed as they glided by.
    The diners were speaking in low voices while keeping an eye on who came in the door. Most were dressed to be seen—expensive silk, designer brands, pricey jewelry and diamond watches that sparkled even in the dim lighting. Pete and Brooke took their seats and immediately a tuxedoed waiter appeared, handing them menus. He recited the specials for the day, including some French and Spanish wines that had been imported for that month. Brooke went ahead and told the waiter what she wanted. Pete did the same, not even glancing at his menu, then choose a Chablis to go with their meal.
    After the waiter left, Brooke said, “That didn’t take long. You come here often?”
    “Nope. I just know what I want. Always have.”
    Her insides quivered at the quiet intensity of his gaze. She felt like it was her, not the fish, being prepped to be consumed.
    Yes
,
yes
,
take me
,
eat me
, her eager mind whispered as she swallowed, throat dry and nipples erect. With an effort she dragged her focus back to the food she’d ordered: seared sea bream with a light basil sauce and a hint of garlic. There was nothing better than fresh sea bream.
    She sipped her water. “Thank you.”
    “For what?”
    “For dinner.” She gestured at their surroundings. “I’ve been wanting to get a table here for months, but I could never get it, and didn’t have the patience to wait.”
    He smiled. “You must not have wanted it that badly then.”
    “Maybe not. But after tonight I might start to, especially if the food is as good as the decor.”
    “Just let me know, and I’ll see what I can do.”
    “You gotta get on the list like everyone else.”
    Pete grinned. “Not if you know Gavin. You know he’s very close to Mark Pryce, the guy who owns this place, right?”
    “Yeah, but still. I don’t want to be presumptuous.”
    “Let me be the presumptuous one then. I don’t mind.”
    The waiter returned with their wine. He made a big production of uncorking it, and once Pete approved it, poured for both of them and left.
    Pete and Brooke clinked their glasses. “To us,” he said.
    Was there an “us” for them? Sex was definitely becoming more of a possibility, especially if she drank enough of the Chablis.
    Okay, that was a lie. She didn’t need alcohol