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)
He stared openly at the exquisite man who seemed to rip his soul wide open without so much as trying.
Avery watched as Kane took the bottle of wine from the bucket, never looking his way. Kane continued to speak with hints of a cultured Southern accent. His hands worked the bottle with care, gently wrapping a linen napkin around the base before he reached out and poured the wine. His movements were precise yet tender. Every part of this man showed a poised, sophisticated gentleman, and Avery immediately wanted those strong hands to caress him, to touch him with that exact same care.
Avery's breath hitched as he looked up, his eyes colliding with a sky blue gaze, and he stopped breathing altogether while his heart drummed violently in his chest. He was having a moment like he'd never experienced in his life. He couldn't think, he couldn't speak, all he could do was stare, and Kane seemed as unaffected as Avery was affected.
Avery could see Kane registered his lack of response. Kane nodded, giving a polite smile as he carefully placed the wine bottle back inside the bucket. Avery tracked every movement, willing himself to breathe before he passed out in the booth and embarrassed himself even more.
"Avery Adams, is that you? I can't believe it!" the shrill voice echoed, and a bubbly woman came straight to the table, almost pushing Kane out of the way. Avery was forced to look over at the woman he could not recall ever seeing before, and his gaze slid back to Kane.
"If you'll excuse me," Kane said with another polite almost bow. He never again made eye contact with Avery. From the angle Avery had chosen to sit, he couldn't continue watching Kane without being overtly obvious, but after a second of losing Kane's image, Avery decided obvious was better than not watching the man at all. He twisted in his seat to turn his head fully around and stared at Kane's retreating form. He noticed the small roll of Kane's shoulders, a universal sign of loosening himself up. The material of Kane's fine suit stretched over his back, and Avery realized his poised elegant Kane was indeed hiding a hard, tight body underneath all those clothes.
It took a full minute for Avery to remember the woman standing at the front of his table. He recovered enough to paste the grin back on his face as he extended a hand. He didn't even try to place her. He just needed her to move on so he could find a way to get the owner back over to the table. "How are you?"
"Well, I'm just fine. I can't see how you would possibly remember me. I'm Sadie, my parents own the land right next to yours. We played some together during the summers when we were younger. I heard you were coming back home. I just wanted to stop by, say hello. My husband and I would love to have you over for dinner sometime soon." The woman spoke, all smiles and moving hands. She pointed to a table across the restaurant, and for the first time since she'd shown up, he wanted to hug her. It gave him the perfect excuse to move across the booth and face the man sitting at a table in the middle of the restaurant who awkwardly lifted a hand in his direction. Avery did the same.
"What a nice invitation…" was all he got out.
"Great. My husband and I own several of the properties downtown. We just used your law firm on one of the more recent deals. I'll make sure I give you a call to get that set up just as soon as you can fit us in. Avery, it's super good to see you again." She didn't wear out her welcome and left in the same way she came…abruptly. Better for him, as he'd much rather scan the restaurant looking for the hot proprietor.
* * * *
Kane kept his cool, letting all those long-standing walls drop into place as he walked through the restaurant. His outward calm showed nothing of the panic raging through his mind. The only clue he gave that something might be wrong was when he bypassed his waitstaff, not listening or answering one of their questions as he made a beeline directly to the kitchen.
His pleasant facade was nothing more than his body's natural defense mechanism kicking into place. Calm, cool, and collected were always what he projected to the world when his heart and mind raced completely out of control. And dear Lord did the greeting with Avery Adams, aka table thirty-four, seriously qualify as one hell of a stressful situation.
Kane pushed through the first set of double doors, leaving the tranquility of the dining room behind. The second set of doors opened to the bustling kitchen. Paulie, along with their head chef, Antonio, worked together on one single plate, trying to achieve their desired perfection before sending it out the door. Kane suspected that meal belonged to Avery Adams. Paulie's policy was any new VIP was treated with care until everyone got a feel for their likes and taste.
"You don't look so good." At Paulie's words, Kane jerked his head up to see the concerned glance Paulie sent his way. Paulie never stopped in the middle of the kitchen during peak business hours. Yet, he did this time. Whatever was on Kane's face caused a scowl to cross Paulie's, and the man stopped in mid-motion of taste-testing a sauce. After another solid few seconds of silence, he lowered the spoon. "What's happened?"
"I don't know. Nothing," Kane said, replaying the entire exchange he'd had with Avery Adams through his mind, trying to see what he might have done to cause such a reaction.
"Don't nothing me. What's happened?" Paulie asked, his tone gruffer than normal and anger clear on his face.
"We need to make sure dinner for thirty-four's perfect. I think I've misstepped somewhere. Mr. Adams seemed a little put out with my greeting," Kane said. As he spoke, he moved closer to where they were working, taking a good long look at the meal. Paulie knew him too well, and Kane's complete calm no doubt scared the crap out of him.