She crooked a smile. “I don’t recall you complaining about the food I cook.”

  “I wasn’t. The food you’ve made for me could rival anything the chefs prepare here.”

  “I don’t know about that, but thanks for the compliment.”

  “I believe I rave about your meals every time you serve them up.”

  “You do.”

  “Which doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a night out and having someone pamper you, does it?”

  He had a point. “I guess not.”

  “Okay, then. So admit you deserve this.”

  Linc certainly had a way of winning an argument. Not that they were having one, but she appreciated that he realized what she’d been through.

  And when the server brought the bottle of wine and poured her a glass, she took a sip and had to admit that there was a world of difference between box wine and this amazingly smooth pinot noir.

  “Well, this is the best pinot I’ve ever had,” she said, rolling the deep red liquid around in the glass.

  “It is pretty good,” Linc said. “I’m glad you like it.”

  “Like it? I want to pour it all over myself.”

  He arched a brow. “That’s an idea. Can I lick it off?”

  And that was an idea that was now milling about in her very vivid imagination. “It’s definitely open for discussion.”

  His lips curved, and her nipples tightened against her bra.

  Oh, the things she wanted to do with this man. She studied him over the rim of her wineglass, noting the way his fingers curved over the stem of his glass, watching him as he took a drink of wine, the way his tongue licked over his lips, all the while imagining those same fingers curving around her neck as those amazing lips pressed to hers, his tongue sliding inside her mouth to tangle with hers.

  And suddenly, the formerly cool atmosphere of the restaurant grew decidedly warmer. She was grateful the dress was cool against her body, though right now naked would be better. Then she could straddle Linc and act out all of her fantasies.

  Ha. If only they were alone. Which they would be later.

  Wow, this wine was really hitting the mark, wasn’t it? She had a nice buzz going and her inhibitions were loosening.

  Who was she kidding? She had zero inhibitions where Linc was concerned. She wanted him.

  “Thank you for bringing me here. And for shopping with me for the dress.”

  “The dress is very nice. The woman who’s wearing it is better.”

  He slanted a heated look at her that made all her parts swell with need and desire. She blew out a breath and this time took a sip of her water.

  Okay, time to calm down, Hazel.

  She still had to get through dinner before she could let her desires run wild. If she even should. After all, he was her employer. Technically.

  “Do you have any concerns about this?” she asked. “You and me, this teasing, bantering foreplay we’re doing?”

  “Me? None at all.”

  “Well, I do work for you.”

  He set his wineglass down. “That’s more of a technicality. You’re not my employee. Not in the traditional sense of the word. You make food for me, food of your own choosing. I don’t tell you what to make or set your hours. I don’t control what you do or don’t do. You have freedom to do or not do whatever you want. I would never presume—”

  She waved her hand. “I get it. I just didn’t want you to get the wrong impression about me.”

  “Same. And if you have any concerns in that regard, Hazel, this stops now.”

  Okay, that seemed rather definite. “No, I’m having a really good time with you, Linc. I just didn’t want you to think I had any ulterior motives other than enjoying being with you.”

  “Good. Then we’re on the same page.” He picked up his wineglass to take a drink and that was settled.

  She felt better now that they had discussed it, that they both knew that this thing wasn’t a big thing. It was just a thing. Which didn’t make sense at all, at least not at the moment, but then again, she’d had some wine. Some very excellent wine.

  Dinner was an amazing tasting menu featuring a vast array of seafood and beef, each course elegantly presented in ways that made Hazel wish she’d brought a notebook, because the menu sparked ideas. From langoustine and passion fruit to turbot to wild boar and a melt-in-her-mouth Kobe beef, it was a taste explosion. Not to mention the cheeses and then the chocolate mousse. And through it all, she and Linc discussed and argued favorite flavors and textures while sipping more of the most excellent wine.

  It was a dizzying experience. She couldn’t remember ever having a better time. And what had captured her most was the attention that Linc paid to her. Not once had he pulled out his phone or glanced away to stare at a woman walking by—one of her ex’s favorite pastimes.

  Instead, he asked her questions about her interests. They talked books and movies and things they each enjoyed doing when they had free time.

  “I never asked you where you were from,” she said as she sipped on her cappuccino. “I mean, I know you travel around and do the whole house renovation thing, but I assume you plant your flag somewhere.”

  “My family lives outside San Francisco, and that’s where my office is.”

  “Oh. Fancy. And on the other side of the country. It’s like night and day difference from hot and muggy Orlando.”

  “That’s true. But I like seeing different places, meeting people who live different lives than where I come from.”

  She’d always considered travel a luxury, and something she’d rarely been able to afford. “Where have you renovated homes?”

  He leaned back in his chair, thinking for a minute before answering. “This year I’ve done Boston, Phoenix, Detroit, and Las Vegas. And now here.”

  “That’s definitely a whirlwind. What’s your next project after you finish this one?” Which she hoped wasn’t over too quickly, since she was getting used to having him around.

  “I haven’t decided yet. What’s next for you? I know you said you wanted the rescue organization. What else? How will you make that dream come true?”

  Wasn’t that a loaded question. “Oh. Honestly? I don’t know. Thanks to you writing me a paycheck every week, I’m able to put some money aside so I’ll at least have a roof over my head. That’s a start. From there, I’ll figure something out.”

  “But surely you have an idea of how you’ll get from point A to point B.”

  “Of course. I’ll work at a restaurant—or find other jobs until I’m financially capable of putting my dream plan into action.”

  He swept his thumb over the rim of his coffee cup. “And if you could, what would it look like?”

  She inhaled and let out a breath. “The aforementioned place to live, of course. One with enough room for the dogs to run, with space to allow me to take care of even more. But that’s a big dream for someday, you know, when I’m all kinds of wealthy.”

  He shrugged. “Nothing wrong with big dreams, Hazel. We all have them.”

  “I definitely do.”

  He gave her a direct look. “Wanna share?”

  “Maybe someday.”

  “Why someday? Why not now?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  “Afraid to put your dreams out in the world because they might not come true?”

  He’d hit the mark on that one. “You know something about that?”

  “I might. But it’s okay to talk about them. Talking about them gives them life.”

  He had a point. “I like cooking. I think you know that. So there’s a hint of a dream of someday maybe doing something with food.”

  He took a sip of coffee. “That’s . . . vague. Do you mean working as head chef at a Michelin-starred restaurant, or owning your own place?”

  She fiddled with her napkin, then looked up at him. “I don’t know. I just like to cook. I haven’t delved into dreams beyond that.”

  “But the idea of something cooking-related appeals, doesn’t it? Being head chef, owning a restaurant, something along those lines?”

  It was odd that he seemed to know her inner thoughts, could seem to read her body language in a way that didn’t make her uncomfortable, but instead . . . warmed her.

  “Yes. One is better.”

  “Tell me.”

  “I want to own a restaurant. But I also want to run a rescue. I can’t do both.”

  “Why not?”

  “Linc.” She tilted her head to the side. “Both are full-time jobs.”

  “You have drive and ambition. You can do anything you set your mind to do, Hazel. Don’t give up on yourself, on your dreams. You can do this. You deserve it, Hazel. You deserve to have everything and anything you want.”

  She could only gape at him. No one had ever believed in her or her potential like this. It made her want to believe, too. And that felt good.

  Their server arrived with the check, and Linc whipped out his credit card. She was afraid to try and peek at the total, which she was sure was astronomical.

  After Linc paid, they got up and left the restaurant. He helped her up into his truck, and they headed back toward the house.

  On the drive back he kept giving her quick glances, and when she met his gaze he’d smile. Not a polite smile, but a hot, direct look.

  “Feel good?” he asked.

  She smiled, and the look she directed at him wasn’t a polite one, either. Instead, she telegraphed her feelings quite directly.

  “I feel very good.”

  His lips curved, and she couldn’t help but stare at his mouth.

  “Yeah, me, too.” His fingers gripped the steering wheel, and she wondered what he was thinking about, while at the same time wishing he was grabbing her right now, all that power and muscle barely restrained as he touched her.

  Damn. She didn’t know what to do with that.

  Hazel had never been the kind of woman men noticed. Or chased. She’d always wanted to be pursued. That had never happened. She and her ex had dated long term, and they got along fine, so it was assumed they’d get married. Then they had. But it had been more of a comfortable arrangement rather than an all-consuming passion.

  She wanted all-consuming passion, to feel zaps of sexual energy whenever a man touched her, to know that he wanted her beyond all reason.

  Maybe those longings weren’t realistic, but dammit, she had them.

  She deserved to fulfill them.

  You deserve it.

  Linc’s earlier words rang in her ears.

  You deserve it.

  Hell yes, she deserved it.

  And he definitely made her tingle—merely by those hot looks he was sending her way.

  So she supposed the question of the night was . . .

  Was she brave enough to go for it?

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Do you think the dogs would be okay if we stayed out for a while longer?” Linc asked as he drove them away from the restaurant.

  “They’re fine. Why?”

  “I’d like to take you somewhere else.”

  “Really? I’m curious.”

  Linc couldn’t remember ever enjoying a night out more than he had tonight. He wasn’t ready for it to end. Besides, Hazel looked amazing, and he wanted her to live it up a little bit longer. He got the idea she didn’t get to go out and party very often, at least lately, though he didn’t know what her social life had been when she was married.

  “Did you and your ex go out much?”

  “Not really. He wasn’t much for hanging out with people. He liked staying home and preferred I do the same.”

  “But you had friends to go do things with, right?”

  She shifted in her seat, and he caught a glimpse of her tanned and toned legs. “For a while. But Andrew slowly whittled them down until I only had one or two close friends left. Ginger was one of them. Now she’s moved out of state.”

  “That’s too bad. It’s important to have friends.”

  “How about you? Do you still have good friends or is it hard to maintain those friendships since you’re always traveling?”

  He let out a laugh. “Guys don’t need to be in touch all the time. We can be separated for a year or more, then get together and grab a beer and catch up like no time has passed.”

  She stayed silent.

  “Why?” he asked. “Is it different for women?”

  “It doesn’t have to be.”

  “But it was for you.”

  “I guess. It shouldn’t be.”

  “No, it shouldn’t. Not if you make the right friends. If a year goes by and you meet up with your friends for drinks, you should be able to pick up right where you left off. Or at least catch up, knowing that your friends will always welcome you back into their circle no matter where you’ve wandered or for how long.”

  “You obviously have a good group of friends.”

  He smiled. “I do.” Then he looked over at her. “And you?”

  “I suppose I do have that. There’s Ginger, and I know I can call her anytime, show up on her doorstep no matter where she lives. And I have Sandy—she runs the foster organization. We’re not lifelong friends or anything, but she’s been there for me during some rough times. And we get each other. We’re both divorced and we both love animals.”

  “Those are good friends, aren’t they?”

  “Yes.”

  “Sometimes that’s all you need. There’s no minimum—or maximum—number on friends. Just ones you trust.”

  He was right about that.

  He pulled up to the nightclub, one he’d read about and wanted to check out. The parking lot was full, so that was a good sign, and the music was jamming, so he figured this was a good place to get into, have a few drinks, and maybe hit the dance floor and show off his gorgeous date.

  His date.

  He hadn’t really thought about Hazel in that way. He’d just wanted to take her out and show her a good time.

  Yeah, right. Who was he kidding? He liked her. He really liked her, and the attraction between them was incendiary. No reason not to explore that and see where it went, as long as both of them stayed aware that this was a temporary situation. Because as soon as he finished renovations on this house, he’d be gone, and they’d be done.

  Better make sure she understands that.

  Yeah, he needed to be clear about that, because the last thing she needed was to be hurt again.

  “This looks fun,” she said as they walked inside.

  He took her hand and led her past the groups of people standing around.

  “They all look really young,” she said, leaning against him so she could be heard over the loud music. “I’m not sure this is where we should be.”

  He laughed. “I don’t think there’s an age limit, Hazel. We’re fine.” He put his hand on her back and directed her toward the stairs.

  They walked up toward the VIP area. Hazel’s eyes widened.

  “We definitely shouldn’t be up here.”

  “Sure we should.” He gave his name to the guy standing there, who looked on his list and nodded. “Section Four is yours.”

  After he directed them where to go, Linc smiled. “Thanks.”

  The sections were marked so they were easy to find. It was a nice area, not oversize but not too tight, either. They slid into the booth, which had a nice view of the dance floor and bar area below.

  A tall, leggy brunette came right over. “My name is Bonita. What can I get for you?”

  “Hi, Bonita. Tito’s on the rocks with lime for me.” Linc looked over at Hazel.

  “Oh,” she said. “Umm, I’ll have a margarita.”

  “What kind, honey?” Bonita asked.

  Hazel lifted her hands. “I don’t know. Surprise me with something fun and spicy.”

  Bonita grinned. “Sure.”

  After she left, Hazel shifted to face him. “You made a reservation so we could be up here.”

  “I’m not much for standing around in crowds.”

  “This is very nice.”

  “It’ll do.”

  Bonita came back a few minutes later and set their drinks down.

  “This is a pineapple jalapeño margarita,” she said. “I hope you like it.”

  Hazel took a sip, then another, then grinned up at Bonita. “I love it.”

  Bonita smiled and nodded and made her exit.

  “So you like spicy, huh?” Linc asked as he sipped his drink.

  “In some things, yes. This drink is especially good. You want a taste?”

  He wanted a taste all right, just not of the drink. “I’m good with this.”

  “You don’t know what you’re missing. It’s tart and sweet, and then, pow—the spice sneaks up on you.”

  “So kind of like you, huh?”

  “Me?” She put her hand to her chest. “I’m not spicy.”

  He laughed. “Yeah, you are. You’re also sweet. And a little tart.”

  She laid her glass down and swiped a finger across his hand. “And how would you know? You haven’t even tasted me.”

  His balls quivered at the thought of having his mouth on her—anywhere on her. “Is that an invitation?”

  Her voice went low, but he still heard her clearly over the music. “Yes.”

  He didn’t need more encouragement than that one word, and the heated look in her eyes. He leaned close, cupped the side of her neck to pull her close, then touched his lips to hers.

  Yeah, just as he thought—fiery, hot, and spicy. She opened for him and he slid his tongue inside. Tasting her was like an explosion of desire, as if he’d banked it for far too long and that need for her was finally freed. Only here they were, in a public place, and they weren’t the only VIP booth up here.

  This was a tease, and the rest of the feast was going to have to wait for later, unfortunately. But for now, he liked having his mouth on hers, feeling the way she had grasped his forearm to hold on, as if the kiss had made her feel as off-kilter as he felt, too.