Intimate Seduction - Brenda Jackson [25]
“We’re here.”
Natalie was pulled out of her thoughts to glance through the car window. The parking lot was full. “This place gets a lot of business, I gather.”
Farrah smiled. “Yes, I’ve only been here once before with a girl from work. The food was good and the entertainment even better. And since you aren’t interested in having a fling with Donovan Steele, I’m sure you’ll meet some other likable guy here.”
Natalie rolled her eyes. Having a fling was the last thing she was interested in.
“You want another beer, Donovan?”
“No, thanks. I’m fine, Jon. I’ll be checking out in a few,” Donovan said, sparing the bartender a quick glance before returning his gaze back to the flat-screen television on the wall behind the counter. They were showing a rerun of last weekend’s race in New Hampshire.
When the bartender moved on, Donovan leaned back against the barstool accepting the fact that his full concentration wasn’t on the race. Instead, over the course of the night, as well as the nights before, he had done a very unorthodox thing. He had allowed a woman to dominate his thoughts.
He wasn’t sure how to view his meeting with Natalie when he had delivered the flowers. She’d been feisty—that was for sure. And strong-willed. But he had a feeling she was also a very passionate woman. And it was that passion he would love to get a hold on and work to his advantage. Last night he had dreamed about her. In sleep he had inhaled her scent, imagined her legs wrapped around him and envisioned her lips mingling with his.
He had awakened with sweat covering most of his body and an erection as hard as a rock. He was glad to see the work week come to an end and was looking forward to the weekend. He had a date lined up with Jean Carroll and he knew from past experiences that she would make it worth his while.
He happened to glance back up at the television screen and then looked to the mirror on the wall that picked up a clear view of anyone walking through the restaurant’s door. He blinked thinking he was seeing things, but when he continued to stare at the mirror he saw that Natalie and another woman had come through the door. He was tempted to turn around but knew if he did she would definitely see him. So, instead, he sat there and watched as a waitress led them over to the table and out of sight.
Releasing the breath he’d been holding, he caught Jon’s eye and beckoned him over to him.
“Another beer?” Jon asked.
Donovan shook his head. “No, but you see the two women Marisa just seated at a table in the back. I want you to give them whatever they want.”
Jon strained his neck to see who Donovan was talking about. “Okay. Will you be joining them?”
“Later.”
“All right.” Jon then walked off.
Donovan pulled in a deep breath. What he didn’t tell Jon was he wouldn’t go anywhere near that table until he got himself together. He couldn’t believe Natalie was here, invading his domain. It was bad enough he’d thought of little else besides her all day; now she was going to give him a reason to think of her all night. Again. And now there was a slow burn in his belly, and he seriously doubted even a cold beer would be able to put it out.
He glanced back at the television screen, trying to ignore the fact she was there, but everything in front of him seemed to blur while a current of electricity seemed to charge the air.
Donovan glanced at his watch as heat flowed through his midsection. It was barely eight and too early for him to think about going home. And why should he? He had never ducked the other way when it came to a woman. Goldilocks had once again invaded his turf, so the way he saw it he had rights—rights he intended to exercise. He had given her fair warning.
Getting off the stool, he headed in her direction.
“Everything on the menu looks good,” Natalie said to Farrah. “What are you going to have?”
“Um, that guy who just walked in looks pretty good.”
Natalie glanced up, followed Farrah’s gaze and nodded