Page 13 of Without Warning
When I open the door, Darrell takes my breath away.He’s so sexy.He’s in a gray three-piece suit that looks so good against his tan skin.He must not have shaved this morning because there’s a bit more scruff than last night.He leans in and kisses my cheek.
“You look amazing, little girl.Are you ready?”His gruff voice makes my body react.My nipples pebble behind my bra, and my lower belly pulls.
“Yes,” I sigh as he takes my hand and we walk out.
I lock the door, and when we get down to the parking lot, a white Range Rover is waiting at the curb with a driver.Darrell opens my door and helps me into the back seat before walking around and getting in on the other side.
“Hello, I’m Daphne,” I introduce myself to the driver, knowing he wasn’t just hired for tonight.Something tells me this man is permanent.
“Hello, Ms.Placer.I’m Totten.”
“Call me Daphne.”I correct him, and he smiles at me.
Darrell takes my hand as we pull away.“How was your day off?”He kisses the back of my hand, and my heart clenches.This man is completely focused on me, giving me all his attention.
I look him in the eye, then drop my gaze, nervous.
“I went dress shopping, then to the gym, where I did a couple spin classes.”
“You like to cycle?”he asks me, and I can’t stop the gush of emotions.
“I love mountain biking.My sister and I do it whenever we’re together.I like the feeling of being in the wild but having a hair’s breadth of control over my next move.I’ve tried rock climbing, but biking is so much better.”
“I like biking too.There are several trails around my house.We’ll have to go soon.”
“My sister is coming into town next weekend.We’re going to do Stringer’s Ridge.”
“Sounds like fun.I’ll make sure to have Jethro put it on my schedule.”He invites himself.
“Oh, Darrell, don’t inconvenience yourself.She’s only coming for the weekend so we can make plans for her move.Besides, you don’t want to meet my family yet.”I try to talk him out of it.We are so not there yet.
My sister loves me, and I know she’d never intentionally do anything.But most men are attracted to her instead of me, and it would hurt if Darrell ever did that to me.
“You are never an inconvenience, Daphne.”He kisses my knuckles as the car comes to a stop.“Wait there, gorgeous,” Darrell says, and I look out the window.We’re double-parked in front of one of the newest restaurants, a place with an up-and-coming chef I’ve wanted to try since before I moved here.
Darrell opens the door and reaches a hand in for me.As I slip my hand into his, I feel the tingles along my palm and up my arm that I always feel when he touches me.I take a deep breath as he helps me out of the car.He pulls me into his side and closes the door before guiding me to the sidewalk.We pass people who are obviously waiting and step inside, where the atrium is full too.
People move out of Darrell’s way as if he’s parting the sea, and when we reach the hostess station, I suddenly feel underdressed.Darrell must sense my discomfort because he pulls me in front of him and wraps his arms around me.He doesn’t even give his name to the hostess.
“Mr.Boseman, this way.”The hostess looks at us, and I try to hold my head up as we follow behind her.
She leads us through the restaurant, Darrell close behind me with his hands on my hips in a protective hold.We enter the kitchen, and she directs us to the chef’s table.My stomach drops with excitement.I could have never imagined this happening.To be right here in the thick of the kitchen, watching every dish we’re about to eat being prepared.
I slide into the booth set into the wall overlooking the area.Darrell slides in beside me, and I can’t hide my smile when he looks at me.
“Happy, little girl?”he asks in his deep voice, and I nod my head, words dying on my tongue.
"Hello, Darrell, so glad you finally made it in.”The chef walks up to us and holds out his hand to me.
He’s handsome, with dark hair and dark brown eyes that don’t miss anything.They look deep into your soul.I’ve watched him on television, but in person he’s even more handsome.There’s scruff along his jaw and even a small dimple in his chin.
“I’m Judson, and who are you, beautiful?”
“Watch it, Judson.I don’t care how long I’ve known you, I will end you and find a new chef for this place.”
Judson places his other hand over his heart as he waits for me to take his offered hand.He scoffs, acting overly dramatic.“Is that any way to talk to your oldest friend and money maker?”
“Fuck yeah, when it comes to my woman.”
