Chapter 10

"What did you tell him?" Lance asked, trying to calm down. He took a sip of his water, but made a face and set it back on the table. "After he told you to 'play nice.'"

"I told him that I would slap any man who deserves it, including him," I replied, taking a sip of my water, as well.

"Good girl," he said as a smile spread across his face.

I lifted an eyebrow, questioning.

He shrugged. "I deserved it," he replied, holding my hand a bit tighter, forcing me to look into his eyes. His hands were cold, but I pretended not to notice. "You should feel free to slap any man who deserves it including me."

I smiled, suddenly feeling awkward when the waiter approached to take our order. "Good evening," he said, and then proceeded to tell us the dinner specials and his recommendations.

Lance nodded to me.

"I'll have the Shrimp Alfredo and a glass of wine," I ordered.

"I'll have the same and we'll have a bottle of Dom Perignon," he said, lifting an eyebrow to me, asking me silently if it was okay. I nodded. He had just ordered Dom Perignon and he asked me if it was okay? I liked him already, but I forced the thought aside.

"So, what do you do for a living?" I asked, suddenly wanting to know how he could afford to spend such lavish money at what had started out to be just a simple dinner for two.

"Do you really want to know?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course," I said, taking a sip of water to hide my amusement.

He took a deep breath. "I own Caprice Casino, on the strip."

"Oh," I said for lack of anything better to say. I set down the glass. "I've heard of it, but I've never been there before."

"Well, then, you'll have to come with me some time."

Yes, I would love to come with you some time, I thought, and then pushed the obscene thought aside, unable to believe that my thoughts had just betrayed me like that. I was sure that his thoughts were innocent, at least for the moment.

Suddenly, the waiter approached and showed Lance the bottle. He nodded, so the waiter popped the cork and was about to pour, but Lance reached for the bottle. The waiter handed it to Lance and left with a nod instead.

"So, tell me about yourself," he said, changing the subject, clearing the air of the awkward silence as he poured the wine into our glasses.

"What would you like to know?" I asked, taking a sip of the wine. Delicious. Almost as delicious as the person sitting across from me.

"Where did you grow up, go to school, college?" Lance began, smiling. "Basic stuff."

"Are you sure you want to know?" I asked.

"Sure. Why not?"

"Well, I grew up here in Las Vegas, I went to medical school, then came back." I don't know why I was telling him my life story, but something about him made me want to.

"Where did you go to medical school?"

"Harvard."

Lance looked impressed. "Why did you come back here?"

I took a deep breath. "I wanted to make a difference."

"Why here?"

"Las Vegas is my hometown. I want to give back." I shrugged.

The waiter brought our orders and offered to pour us more wine, but Lance waved him off and poured it himself. Soon, we were digging in to our delicious food.

"Where did you go to school?" I asked, stabbing a shrimp.

"Cambridge," he said then added, "but it was a long time ago."

"In England?"

He nodded.

"Where in England are you from?"

"A small town." He was evading the subject and I knew it.

"Where?" I wasn't going to let him off the hook that easily.

"Preston Village in Brighton," he replied, and I nodded. "Are you familiar with it?"

"I know where it is, but I've never been there before," I replied between bites.

"Would you like to go?"

I suddenly froze, a bit uncomfortable with where this conversation was going. "I really must go " I replied, pushing my seat back. I had the feeling that, knowing Lance, we would be on a plane tomorrow if I agreed.

"Sorry, I've made you uncomfortable," he said, placing his hand over mine as he looked into my eyes.

I took a deep breath and pulled up my chair, but made no effort to leave.

"What's troubling you?"

"You."

"Me?" he asked, and then he looked into my eyes. "I think it's a bit more than me."

"I shouldn't be here "

"Then, why are you?"

I took a deep breath and leaned back against the chair, looking away. Then, I turned my attention back to him. "I don't know."

"Let's not try to figure this out now. Let's just enjoy the evening," he said, then patted my hand. "Would you like some more wine?" He reached for the bottle.

"You're spoiling me," I teased, nodding.

A sudden gleam filled his eyes as his lips curled into a smile. "That's the whole idea."

I cleared my throat as my heart jumped. "Well, thank you for the wonderful meal, but I really must go."

"Do you have to?" Lance asked, placing a hand gently over mine. "Please, stay."

"Lance, I'm married."

"I know," he said, popping a shrimp into his mouth as he smiled. "Please, forgive me, but I'm enjoying your company."

"Why?"

"What do you mean?" he asked, confused.

"Well, surely there are lots of other women who would enjoy your company as well."

"But would I enjoy their company as much as I enjoy yours?" he asked, suddenly serious.

I gulped down my wine, hoping to steady my heart. "I really must go. It's getting late." I looked out the window and it was completely dark outside.

"Wait," Lance said, rising from his seat as he motioned for the waiter. "Let me take care of this and I'll walk you out."

"That won't be necessary "

"Do I have to throw you over my shoulder again?" he asked, grinning as if he would enjoy it a bit too much.

I laughed at the image of him throwing me over his shoulder here in this nice restaurant. "Let me just go powder my nose."

"I'll be here," he said, reaching for his wallet.

I walked into the restroom and did what I had to do, and then looked in the mirror. I pulled a brush from my purse and ran it through my long waves, then splashed water on my face. "What are you doing?" I asked myself as I looked in the mirror at my rosy cheeks and bright blue eyes. I tried to convince myself that I was just spending a nice evening with a friend, but my heart told me that it was much more than that.

When I came out, Lance was waiting with his hands in the pockets of his jeans, looking like a supermodel at a photo shoot. "Ready?" he asked casually, reaching for me.

I nodded, but walked ahead of him, not taking his hand. He followed close behind, placing a guiding hand on the small of my back. One thing that I loved about Lance was his sense of chivalry. He was old school and I loved that about him, but I quickly pushed the thought aside.

"Well, here we are," I said, retrieving the keys from my purse.

"Here we are," Lance repeated. "May I follow you home?" When I raised an eyebrow, he was quick to add, "Just to make sure you get home safely, of course."

I smiled, lowering my eyes. "No, I'll be fine, but thanks," I said, after an awkward moment.

"Leila?" he asked, his voice husky.

"Yes?"

"Don't slap me, but may I kiss you?"

"I'll see you later " I said with a smile as I turned to walk away, but he pulled me to his chest and crushed his lips down onto mine.

I struggled for a moment beneath his grasp, but then I melted into his arms as his lips moved with mine, leaving me breathless. After a moment, I stopped fighting and parted my lips for him, taking him inside. He kissed me with all the pent up passion and emotion that we had both been feeling, all heat and pleasure. He kissed down my neck and inhaled deeply, then trailed back up to my lips, pressing firmly to mine, moving sensually and in ways that I had never experienced before. When he pulled back, I was lightheaded, breathless.

"I'll see you later," I repeated.

"Until then," he said, and then he placed his hands on both of my cheeks, looked deeply into my eyes, and gave me one last sweet kiss before he disappeared into the darkness of the night.