Page 69 of Betting on the Bad Boy

“Whatever your heart desires.” Carter put an arm on either side of me and nestled up against me, his clean-shaven cheek pressed against mine. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

I nodded, drawing my cardigan tighter around me.

“Are you cold?” He rubbed his hands up and down my arms.

“I’m fine. I always forget how much it cools off once the sun starts to set.”

“Let’s get you inside.” He grabbed hold of my hand and gently tugged me toward the door.

CHAPTER 35

Faith

I reluctantly leftmy post at the railing. Where was Dante tonight? It would already be pitch dark in Indiana. Had he watched the sunset while thinking about me? Doubtful. He was probably fighting off coeds who’d already returned to school from Christmas vacation.

I followed Carter into the restaurant and to our table overlooking the water. Candlelight flickered, the dim light darkening half of his face in shadow. “What are you in the mood for tonight?”

I took the menu from the server and scanned the wine and beer list. “I’ll take a Honeyweiss, please.”

“I thought maybe we’d share a bottle of Chardonnay.” Carter nudged my menu to the side and smiled at me.

I shrugged. “Sure. Chardonnay would be lovely.”

Was he going to order my food for me, too? Why was I being so bitchy? I shook my head, trying to shake my crabby mood away. An attractive, intelligent man sat right in front of me. Even though I wasn’t interested in anything romantic happening, I could still enjoy his company for an evening and make my mother happy in the process.

The server returned with a bottle of Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay. She opened it and let Carter try it before pouring a glass for each of us.

Carter raised his glass and gestured for me to do the same. “I’d like to propose a toast. To new beginnings.”

“To new beginnings.” I lifted the glass to my lips and took a generous gulp.

When our server returned, Carter asked if I wanted to share an appetizer.

“Do you like oysters?” I asked.

He squinted at me. “I haven’t tried them before.”

“Would you like to try a half dozen?” The server tapped her pen against her notepad.

“Sure, why not?” Carter smiled at me. “Let’s try new things tonight.”

Try new things, huh? Carter didn’t strike me as the super adventurous type. What would he do if I pulled out one of the sex toys I’d mentioned in one of my books? He’d shit bricks, that’s what.

I wasn’t being fair. I hadn’t actually tried any of them, either. All my knowledge came from extensive online research, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t willing to go there with the right guy.

An image of Dante slid through my mind. Eyes half-closed, jeans around his ankles, that look on his face like he always got right before he?—

“Come again?” Carter’s voice cut through my naughty fantasy, and I coughed. He was talking to the server.

“I asked if you want horseradish or Tabasco with your oysters.”

Carter’s brow furrowed as if this was the most important decision he’d make all day. “What do you think, Faith?”

“Why not both?”

The server nodded and walked away.

Carter cleared his throat and took a sip of water. “So, tell me about your plans for your career.”