Page 16 of Dream Date With the Millionaire
CHAPTER FOUR
“SEE anything you like?” asked Dani’s date.
She looked over her menu at Gymguy aka Gregg.
He smiled back smugly.
Most women would like him, Dani supposed. His blond corporate hairstyle, tanned skin and bleached teeth reminded her of a weekend news anchor. Nice-looking, but easily forgettable once you changed the channel. Though she wasn’t sure where his user name came from because he looked more on the thin and weak side than fit and strong from working out at a gym.
She glanced at her menu. “There’s quite a selection.”
He’d chosen a popular restaurant in Cow Hollow for dinner, although she’d suggested they meet for coffee instead. He’d even ordered an expensive wine, a bottle of Cabernet, over her objections. Maybe he wanted to impress her. Maybe he had control issues.
Maybe he was trying to get her drunk.
“The salmon with the cranberry chutney looks interesting.” Her budget didn’t allow splurging on expensive meals, but James had given her enough cash to cover the entire tab, including tip, so she could order whatever she wanted. One good thing about her boss—he wasn’t a cheapskate. If he developed some ethics, morals and a heart, she might even like working for him. “Though the Macadamia nut-crusted halibut sounds delicious.”
“I noticed that one myself.” Gregg lowered his menu. “And just so there’s no tug of war over the bill later, tonight is on me.”
Maybe Dani had misjudged his ordering the wine and everything else. He was probably just being polite.
And she wasn’t.
She couldn’t blame Gregg for her not wanting to be here. It wasn’t his fault she’d accepted the date under false pretenses and was feeling guilty.
How could she not when the ambience of the restaurant he’d selected oozed romance, with white linen tablecloths, candles and flowers and soft classical music playing? A tad much for a blind date, perhaps, but his choice showed he’d put some thought into where to take her.
Too bad she would rather be out with Bryce. Remembering his bright, warm eyes brought a sigh to Dani’s lips. She pressed them together.
No sighing or swooning allowed. Especially over a man who hadn’t e-mailed her since their coffee date. At least Gregg wanted to be with her.
“Thanks.” She placed her menu on the table. “But I was planning on treating you to dinner.”
Gregg’s beaming smile showed two rows of perfectly white, straight teeth, but he had nothing on Bryce’s easy grin. “Good thing I beat you to it.”
Not really.
Dani wanted to pay. She had to pay. Or the mounting guilt might do her in.
Once upon a time, she had a great job, a new car and a one-bedroom apartment with a peek of the San Francisco Bay out her living room window and a reserved parking spot.
How had she gotten…here? Dating strangers to get information her boss wanted?
She reached past her wineglass to her water and drank.
Dani didn’t want to be dating. Not Bryce or Gregg or any man. Relationships were like flesh-eating viruses that destroyed dreams and gnawed away at life plans. And when they ended you were left with nothing. She was better off without one.
“So…” Gregg raised his wineglass “…you’re a lot better-looking than your profile picture.”
“I hoped guys might read my profile instead of going by a photo.”
“That’s exactly what I did.” His gaze dropped from her face to her breasts. “Smart move on my part, that’s for sure.”
Darn it. Dani had worn loose-fitting clothes—a skirt, blouse and sweater—to hide her curves, but he’d somehow seen enough to capture his attention. She should have worn the baggy sweats instead.
Gregg stared at her chest, focusing on her breasts as if he had see-through clothing vision. “Though you’d probably get more takers if you mentioned you had such nice melons in your profile.”
Dani choked. Coughed. Wiped her mouth with her napkin.
O-kay. So much for him being polite.
But she knew how to deal with men like Gregg. Knew all too well.
With her napkin back on her lap, she straightened. “Stick to the Macadamia nuts, Gregg. You can’t handle the melons.”
His mouth gaped. He closed it.
“I sure would like to if you’ll give me the chance.” Gregg leaned over the table toward her, and she noticed how his eyes looked beady like a sewer rat’s. “My place is walking distance from here. Why don’t we skip dinner, head over there and go straight to dessert?”
She bit back a sigh. So typical.
And to think she’d been feeling guilty for using him to get information when he wanted to use her for sex. At least Bryce had been a gentleman when he was out with her.
Gregg raised an eyebrow and puckered his lips slightly. “You know you want to go back to my apartment with me.”
