Page 11 of Her Elusive Cowboy Billionaire

Not wanting the dish to get cold, Meri dipped her spoon and then blew on it before putting it into her mouth.

She closed her eyes and let the flavors of cream, lobster, and spices permeate every corner of her mouth before swallowing.“Oh, my God.This has got to be the most wonderful soup I’ve ever had.”She gazed at Chase and found him staring.

“I like when a woman enjoys her food.Paige never ate much in front of me, but several times I found her in front of the refrigerator in the middle of the night.I know she was hungry.I never understood why she didn’t eat with me.”

Meri set her spoon down and leaned her elbows on the table with her hands clasped under her chin.“I’ll tell you why.The media bombards women with messages to desire super thin bodies, and if they don’t match that ideal, they experience shaming.”

He furrowed his brow.“You’re slender, and yet you seem to enjoy your food.”

She shrugged.“I’m naturally skinny.I’d love to put on some weight.Twenty pounds would be about perfect.”

Chase smiled.“We’ll have to see if we can do something about that.”He took a spoonful of soup and did much the same as she had.“You’re right, the soup is superb, but then their soups always are.”

“Do you eat here often?”She took another spoonful of soup.

He shrugged.“Depends on what you call often.I don’t cook, except for breakfast.I make mean eggs…any style you like.Anyway, I eat out a lot for business.So, yeah, I guess I eat here quite a lot.”

Must be nice.Stop it.I don’t care about his money, but it would be stupid to act like I don’t even realize he’s filthy rich.“That might be appealing for a while, but I think it would get old.Sometimes it’s great to have homemade meatloaf and mashed potatoes with gravy.”

Chase closed his eyes for a moment.“Sounds like heaven.I don’t remember the last time I had a homemade meal.”

Meri’s eyes widened.“Really?Well, I’m fixing that right now.I want you to come to dinner.I’ll cook for you, but I warn you.”She grinned, happy she could give him something he didn’t have.“We’re having meatloaf.Mine’s a little different from most.I use breakfast sausage in it.It gives a wonderful yet still homey flavor to it.”

“My mouth is watering just thinking about it.When do you want me there?”

“Well, this is Monday, so how about Friday, six o’clock?Bring wine.”

He grinned and leaned forward.“I can hardly wait.”

They finished their dinner.

Meri declined dessert.She patted her belly.“I couldn’t eat another morsel.”She’d finished every bite, and she was almost too full.

“How about dessert to go?”He grinned and cocked one brow.

She tilted her head and smiled.“I’d like that.I have a horrendous sweet tooth and around ten tonight I’ll be searching for something to munch on.”She looked at the wine menu she had put to the side of the table, which also had desserts at the back.

“What would you like?”

“How about the flourless chocolate espresso cake?”

“Perfect choice.I think I’ll have one of the same, to go, of course.”

The server came by and they gave her their order.

While they waited, they finished their drinks.

“I’ve had a terrific time tonight,” said Chase.

“Me, too.Thank you.”I can’t believe what we talked about tonight.No religion or politics, but we talked about favorite sports teams, more about his ranch, and what our favorite colors are.His is blue, no surprise there.Mine is purple, all shades of purple.We didn’t have enough time to discuss more.Maybe next time.Isn’t that what happened before?Am I making the same mistake or am I taking the brass ring with both hands?

“I should thank you.I’d have been home on the couch watching TV in my underwear and drinking a beer.”

Meri giggled, but the picture in her mind of him in his underwear made her want to fan herself.

They collected their desserts and Chase paid the bill.Then they walked out.

Chase held out his left arm, again keeping himself between her and the street, holding their bag of dessert with the other.