Read Online A Gentleman’s Offer by Dara Girard - Free Book Online Page A

instead of making him look like a tramp, gave him a rough, dangerous look that only made him more attractive. She found herself relaxing and stared at his hand, which now rested on the table. “I wasn’t sure.”
    Again his gaze fell to the menu. She never knew someone could find a menu so interesting. “I always pay,” he said. “Next time just ask.”
    She again spread her napkin on her lap. “I thought since this was sort of like a business meeting…”
    “Do you think I’d take you to an expensive restaurant and have you split the bill?”
    She shrugged. “It’s happened before.”
    Nate glanced up from his menu, intrigued. “Really?”
    “Yes. His name was…” She shook her head. “Well, it doesn’t matter what his name was. He asked me out and took me to this wonderful restaurant and ordered half the items on the menu, then said we should split the bill.”
    “You didn’t, of course.”
    “I was young at the time.”
    “How much was it?”
    “Fifty dollars.”
    “That’s not much.”
    “It was to me. Twenty-five dollars for dinner?”
    “Hmm…well, I won’t be doing that. I’m here to please.”
    Yvette clapped her hands together in delight. “Good. That changes everything.”
    When the waiter came to the table and requested their orders, Yvette said, “I would like the orange chicken without the oregano, and the asparagus in a light olive oil instead of butter, and can you please make sure that my potato is baked, not mashed. And I would also like a seat on the veranda.”
    The waiter sent Nate a glance for confirmation. Yvette caught the look and frowned. “You don’t need to ask his permission. If you can’t fulfill my request then I don’t need to be here.” She removed her napkin and laid it on the table.
    “No,” the waiter said quickly. “I won’t be a moment.”
    He began to turn.
    “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
    He looked at her, unsure. “I don’t know.”
    She nodded at Nate. “My friend hasn’t ordered yet.”
    “Oh, yes. What would you like, sir?”
    Nate flashed Yvette a look of amusement. “The same thing she’s having.”
    Moments later they sat outside under a bamboo umbrella with the afternoon sun cascading around them. Yvette sighed and stared up at the sky.
    “You give orders very well,” Nate said.
    “Thank you. When you work with animals you realize the importance of being firm. They respect people who are in charge.” She winked at him. “Plus I wanted to try out my new role.”
    “I bet you’ll enjoy ordering me around. You’ve started off with the right attitude.”
    Yes, she’d definitely love to order him around. She would begin with having him remove his shirt, then his trousers, then his… She adjusted her position. What were they talking about again? Oh, yes, attitude. “Is that said with approval or censure?”
    “What would you like it to be?”
    “Approval.” She waved her finger. “And I know what you’re going to say. That the rich don’t care what anyone else thinks.”
    Nate stretched out his leg and it brushed hers. She didn’t move, neither did he. She took a deep breath, reminding herself that it was no big deal.
    “You’re wrong. People don’t care only if they’re heartless. The rich have feelings like other people.” He smiled. “I hope you don’t find that too shocking.”
    The smile should have softened his face, but it only drew more attention to his unkempt appearance. She set her drink down in a slow, careful motion. “About our agreement.”
    He looked at her with a steady gaze. “Yes?” His leg brushed hers again, sending an electric current through her. This time she knew it wasn’t an accident. That only made it more distracting.
    “I think you’re a really nice guy, but—”
    Nate sat back and held up his hands. “Wait a minute. That sentence sounds too familiar. Are you breaking up with me? Did we start dating and I forgot?”
    “It’s not a break-up speech. It’s more of a