Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 103819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
"Absolutely. You'll look stunning. It'll set off your tan," she said.
"Okay…" he said hesitantly. This was Minnesota after all, not the downtown streets of Hollywood.
"Avery, really. When I saw it this morning, I thought of you." The phone beeped, the new call waiting technology always threw him off when the beep sounded through on the phone.
"Thanks, Colleen, I have to take this," Avery said.
"Have fun tonight! Let me know the details." He laughed, but didn't otherwise respond as he reached down to the receiver to click over and answer the other line.
"Avery Adams," he said with a chuckle, dropping the towel where he stood.
"Hello, Mr. Adams. I'm confirming your reservation tonight for dinner." The deep rich, masculine voice instantly sent his heart racing. His eyes were focused on the suit, but all he could see was the image of the man calling him.
"Of course, I'll be there, unless you need the table." The thought made him furrow his brow, wishing he could take those words right back. He'd prepared all day for this dinner. Haircut, professional shave, plucked in all the most painful places.
"No, sir, absolutely not. We'll see you at seven," Kane said. Avery could tell Kane was about to hang up and he jumped in before the man said goodbye.
"Kane, tell me the specials for tonight." Avery couldn't actually care less what they served. He just wanted to hear the voice on the other end of the line. Kane's cultured Southern drawl made his blood boil, but Kane's voice still held all the proper hints of a well-practiced Italian accent as he efficiently ticked off the evening's menu. Avery stood transfixed, listening to the tone, until he closed his eyes, just letting the voice rock his world.
"Our waitstaff will let you know if anything changes. Thank you, we'll see you at seven." The call disconnected, and Avery, a little slower at lowering the phone, finally managed to absently place it on the hook. He picked up the black Hugo Boss and hung it back in the closet. He tossed the towel in the hamper. Avery still had a couple of hours to kill before dinner.
With absolutely zero encouragement from Kane, Avery placed a single stem of the calla lilies Kane sent on the pillow next to his. The action made him laugh as he rolled his eyes at the absurdly romantic gesture. It was unimaginable how important this one night had become to him. On a chuckle, Avery headed to the bathroom to jack off. He needed his dick hard, but not until it was time, and now certainly wasn't the time.
* * * *
Greeter-guy met Avery at the door. The same sexy grin was in place, but he wasn't near as forthcoming as before. Avery got it. Being shut down after all the flirting they'd done during his first dinner at La Bella Luna had turned the guy off.
Avery was immediately shown to his table, the same booth as before, and he wondered if this was now his designated place in this restaurant. The same waiter greeted him, and asked if he wanted the same bottle of wine. The entire staff was a little more formal this time. Avery assumed they had to be on high alert, making sure everything went perfect tonight. The calla lilies came to mind. He scanned the restaurant as he took his seat. Calla lilies were in every arrangement in the dining room. Avery made a mental note, wondering if that was Kane's flower of choice.
The waiter stated the night's specials and, remembering his choices from his previous dinner, asked if he'd like those again. Avery truly began to understand why La Bella Luna was the talk of this town. Kane ran a first class operation. This little restaurant, tucked away in downtown Minneapolis was as good as any he'd ever been to and that said quite a bit after his upbringing.
Recalling his primary goal, Avery kept the pleasant, friendly smile on his face. He needed to ease some of this tension he'd created the first time he was here. Gaining the information he wanted required everyone be comfortable around him.
"Markie, could you have Mr. Dalton stop by the table?" Avery asked seconds before the waiter retreated from the table. Markie hesitated, confusion clear on his face.
"Sir, has something happened since you arrived? I'm supposed to make sure you're happy tonight. The owner feels like we let you down last time." The waiter spoke candidly to Avery, and the genuine concern never left his face. When Markie came off the regular script, Avery could hear bits of a hard northern accent, maybe from New York.
"Nothing's happened. I'm not sure how I gave the impression my last experience here was bad, but I enjoyed myself immensely," Avery said, nodding as he spoke, trying for a reassuring tone. He really needed the entire staff to settle down, and start talking. They had the information he wanted to know.
"All right, sir, but if that changes, you only need to just say the word and I'll get you taken care of," Markie said, taking a step backward before turning away. The young waiter didn't seem to believe him. Avery tracked him straight to the bar where Kane was hidden in an alcove working something on paper in a darkened corner of the long bar.
Avery had searched for Kane as he entered, but hadn't found him. Now, as the waiter spoke to Kane, he turned his head to Avery's table, their eyes met and electricity crackled between them. God, Kane was stunning. The man's gaze alone robbed Avery of all ability to think. Surely, he couldn't be the only one feeling this, right?
Avery held the connection, never lowering his gaze, even when Kane looked down and placed whatever he held in his hands back on the bar. Avery stared, memorizing every step Kane took toward his table. Kane visibly squared his shoulders, and his handsome face transformed from normal and natural to a polite, calm indifference. Right then, he knew that was Kane's game face.