Page 10 of Her Intense Protector

“Better. Much better.”

4

It was a Virginia number that she didn’t recognize but it didn’t matter, because Ezio identified himself on the text.

Hi Samantha, it’s Ezio Stark. I hear you’re settling into life here in Virginia. I was wondering if I could take you to dinner this weekend.

Sam’s hand felt slick as she looked at the message. She tried not to let her insecurity screw things up. Eden wouldn’t lie to her. Ezio was really interested, and God knew she was.

Walking to the kitchen with her phone, she grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge and thought about her schedule. It was getting pretty hot and heavy with work, but she’d sure as heck would make time for dinner with this man.

She blushed at the term ‘hot and heavy.’

Really? I shouldn’t be thinking that in the same sentence as Ezio.

The man got under her skin. Not just the outside package, but the few things she’d gleaned during their conversation at the diner she’d really liked. A lot.

Courage, Brooks.

That would be great. Saturday would be best, if that would work out okay with you.

Her phone rang. She gulped in air and pressed accept.

“Hi,” she smiled into the receiver.

“Hi,” Ezio said in that smoky voice of his. Again with the shivers. “I figured it would be easier to call for the specifics. Plus, it would be nice to hear your voice again.”

“You, too. I mean, it’s good to hear your voice too, Ezio. How have you been?” Sam winced since according to Eden he couldn’t tell her anything about his job.

“Pretty good. I had a little time off and got to spend time with my family. They’re up in New York, so I don’t see them often enough, at least according to them.”

“Oh yeah, I remember. Aren’t you the oldest of five brothers and sisters?”

“Six,” he corrected.

“Do you all manage to get together?”

“Most of them still live pretty close to where we grew up, so when possible, yeah, we all get together.”

Sam remembered thinking it was odd that he came from such a large family, when he kept his cards so close to his chest. She’d thought he’d be more outgoing. Maybe it was a SEAL thing. But there had been that guy Cullen at the party, and God knew he’d been more than outgoing…

“Samantha?”

Darn it, she hadn’t been paying attention. “I’m here. So, what time on Saturday?”

“I’m thinking if I pick you up at six, we can make a seven o’clock reservation near the water. How does that sound?”

“Good,” she gave him her address.

“I look forward to hearing all about your new life in Virginia.” She could hear the smile in his voice.

“I bet you’ll think it’s boring.”

“That’s for me to decide.” Still that smoky sound that wrapped around her. Add that to his green eyes, and Sam remembered why she’d been so disappointed they’d stopped communicating. “I’ll see you on Saturday.

5

“Toni, it can’t be that bad.”