Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

Anthony picked a local place in Waimanalo. It definitely wasn’t on the beaten path. As they settled in with their fish tacos, she smiled at him.

“What?”

She shrugged. “I’m just surprised.”

“Because I picked a local place?”

“No, I figured you would. You’re the kind of guy that caters your romance toward the woman.”

He studied her for a second to make sure she wasn’t fucking with him. It was always a close call with her. She possessed a sassy mouth. It was one of the things he liked best about her. Women who agreed with him all the time were boring. When he realized she was being honest, he smiled.

“Kind of a family thing.”

“I guess I could see that. I’ve seen the way Marco treats Alana. But that isn’t what I meant. I thought you would go a little more extravagant.”

He took a bite of his taco and watched her as she ate. He wondered if he should be honest with her. In the past, he had been up front and honest with women…to a point. There was no reason to be a complete ass all the time. But, for some reason, he wanted to be careful with her.

After swallowing his bite, he said, “I figured that when you were in New York and part of the ballet, you had a lot of men wine and dine you.”

“So, you were worried you’d fail by comparison?”

“No. I doubt any other man could compare with me.” She snorted, but said nothing else. He decided to be honest with her. “Just thought you deserved something as distinctive as you are.”

She blinked, then slowly, her mouth curved. “Is that a fact?”

For the first time in years, he had to fight the heat rising in his cheeks. He was a man who had seen and done enough not to blush in front of a woman, but something about that smile made him do just that. He cleared his throat. “I just know you’re Hawaiian, and you would appreciate a place like this.”

And he wanted her to know he appreciated that about her. He wasn’t a man always given to romance, but this woman deserved it. Anthony couldn’t lay his finger on the reason why he thought that, but it pushed him when he had been planning out the day.

“Thank you. This is actually one of my father’s favorite places. He meets up with his buddies about once a month here.”

“So, you have no siblings and no cousins.”

“You say that like it makes you sad. I do have some second cousins here and there. I run into them from time to time, but you know what it’s like if you’re a military brat , right? I mean, even if you are close to your parents and grew up with a close family, unless they’re military also, you tend to be forgotten. If I need a favor, and vice versa, there is no hesitation from the other side. Just not that close is all.”

He couldn’t imagine that. He knew he could call any of his brothers, his sister or any cousins and they would have his back. But, as she said, they were all brats like him. They understood that just because you might be halfway around the world; didn’t mean you didn’t need support.

“And, you don’t regret moving back here?”

Something came and went in her eyes so fast he barely saw it. But it was there. Not regret, but it was something else and something not happy.

“No. I was just thinking about that. I miss the buzz of New York, and I really miss things like Times Square, but I always knew I would come back here some day. It just turned out sooner rather than later. I was just lucky enough that I could come back and spend that time with my mom before she died.”

He nodded and decided to move on to happier topics for the moment. He wanted to know more about what had made her look so sad for that brief moment, but right now she wasn’t ready to share. Oh, she would have talked about it, but he was pretty sure she wasn’t ready to be truthful about it with him.

So for now, he would let her have her secrets. He could be patient and wait while both of them tried to figure out what the hell they wanted out of each other.

As Anthony accompanied her up in the elevator, Lalani had to admit that she was charmed. She didn’t know what she had expected, but she definitely hadn’t expected lunch where they had it, or a walk on Waimanalo Beach afterwards. They’d even taken time to walk down Kalakaua Avenue and window shop.

Now though, she didn’t know what to expect. Knots formed in her stomach, and it strangely felt as if she were getting ready to go on stage. It was as if she were ten years old trying out for some part in the ballet.

She hadn’t been on a real date in over two years, and definitely not with a man like Anthony. Every touch he gave her, every look in her direction, a wave of heat had encompassed her. She felt as if she was on an audition, and she was making all the right moves.

It was also exhausting. Trying to discern what he wanted, what he expected…it was wearing her out.

The elevator dinged at her floor, and the doors opened. It took her a second to gather herself and step off the lift.

“You want to tell me what today was about?”

He glanced at her, then looked ahead down the hall. “It was a date, or am I confused on the concept of a date?”

“No, I just didn’t think we had anything in common.”

Another slanted look.

“We are going to keep running into each other. If not at restaurants, then, being the Godparents of the newest Santini will do it. So, I think we need to chat about how to deal with that.”

“Listen, we can deal with it.”

One imperious eyebrow rose.

“Anthony, you don’t like me.”

“I like you. Or I should say, I don’t know you all that well. After that kiss, I think I want to get to know you better.”

She sighed. “I avoid relationships with men like you.”

“Men like me?”

“Yeah. You like to tell people how to behave, control the situation.”

“I get it. You’re a brat , and you’re one without daddy issues. I wouldn’t be interested if you were looking for a guy who reminded you of your father.”

“Is that a fact?”

He nodded. “I grew up with one and really don’t want to play that role.”

She felt her lips twitch. “Okay. And thank you for at least being honest.”

“That’s me. Honest Anthony.”

“I had a really good time today.”

He chuckled. “Don’t sound so surprised.”

She stopped when she reached her door. “No, really. It’s more that I haven’t had a real date in forever, and it was nice just to relax.”

“Oh, you were relaxed? My hands were sweating the whole time.”

She looked at that seductive smile; the way he leaned against the wall, and knew this man did not have sweaty hands.

“Wanna come in for a drink?”

He shook his head, never taking his gaze from hers.

“Why not?”

“I told you the truth earlier, Lalani. You test my control, and neither of us are ready to make that next step yet.”

He leaned forward and cupped her face. Slowly, he kissed her. This was not the same over the top passionate kiss from the other day. He nibbled at her lips, teasing her bottom lip before fully pressing his mouth against hers. Still, he took his time, before she felt the glide of his tongue against the seam of her lips. She opened willingly, wanting nothing more that to taste him. He was just the same as she remembered. Desire lanced through her veins, her blood pounding a primitive beat in her veins.

Needing more contact, she stepped closer, pressing her body into his as she slipped her hands around his waist. He shuddered and lifted his other hand to cup her face completely. It wasn’t enough. She wanted to feel his flesh against hers, to taste every inch of him…but he stepped back. They were both breathing heavily.

“I told you we needed time.”

Lalani had never been good at being denied pleasure, and she lashed out.

“Is this some kind of control thing with you?”

The moment she said it, she wished she hadn’t. She opened her mouth to apologize, but he stopped her by reaching up and rubbing his thumb against her lips.

“Not at all. I just want to make sure we both want it for the right reasons. And, as I told you, I don’t want some quick fuck. I want a long time with you in that bed, because I aim to take every second to enjoy.”

She drew in a shuddering breath, then released it. “Well, when you put it like that.”

He smiled and leaned in to brush his mouth against hers. He pulled back then. “I’ll wait until you’re inside.”

She nodded, her body still yearning for another taste. She unlocked her door and turned back around.

“Are you sure?”

He chuckled, and it sounded like it hurt. “No, not at all, but I think it’s for the best. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Drive safely.”

He nodded and waited. With a sigh, she shut the door.

“You need to turn the deadbolt.”

Rolling her eyes, she did as he ordered, and waited to see if he said anything else. He didn’t, and she knew he had left.

She walked through her apartment, her body still humming with need, her head spinning from that kiss. She should be happy he stopped the progression, but she wanted it to continue. As a dancer, she had always been able to give into her passions. Being denied the pleasure of Anthony Santini for the night was irritating.

She wandered over to her lanai and slid open the door. She stepped out and looked down to see if she could see him. There he was, walking down the street in that confident stride he always had. She liked a man who knew who he was, didn’t mind letting everyone else know it either. And, the man could definitely kiss. He had barely touched her, and she was ready to run down and beg him for another kiss. When he reached his truck, he turned and looked back up in her direction. Even from a distance, she could tell he was smiling as he waved up at her.

Damn the man. He was going to turn her world upside down. Already had. At that moment though, Lalani didn’t care. She sat down on one of her chairs and watched the sun as it glistened over the water. She’d had a perfect day and a pretty great date. A girl couldn’t ask for more than that.