Page 79 of Forbidden Kisses

"And I'll have a Buona Sera," Duncan said.

We ordered food as well. I chose the chicken and scallops with hummus, and Duncan went with something similar but with additional harissa sauce. I was impressed with the menu. It was fusion cuisine as far as I could tell, a mix of different oriental foods.

Once the waiter left, Duncan said, "Why do you look so amused?"

"I remembered how smoothly you turned down Christine and said you wouldn’t drink because you're driving. Then again, you’re always smooth.”

He groaned. "Not always. Not when it comes to you."

I bit my lower lip. "Well…"

I stopped because the waiter returned with our drinks. The mojito was red.All right, this definitely looks different than what I’m used to.

Duncan and I clinked glasses, and then I immediately took a sip. I’d suspected that the red color came from some sort of strawberry juice, but it was melon.

"Hey, this is really good."

Duncan nodded. "I've got to give it to Knox. He knows his stuff."

"See, you can tell him that you've been too hard on him."

"Never," Duncan said. "It will only go to his head."

I laughed. "You can't have that, can you?"

"Fuck no. We all rely on one another to keep us grounded."

"How so?" I asked.

He shrugged. "Early on, when we started the business, we realized that a lot of people are going to blow smoke up our asses and inflate our egos. That’s dangerous. You lose sight of who you are and what really matters. We promised one another not to allow that to happen."

"That's very smart," I said. "I like that you and your brothers are a team."

"We really are. Mom and Dad are extremely good at keeping us in line as well."

"So, I’m a bit confused. Your parents are separated, right? Because Jeremy sometimes mentions doing stuff with each of them individually.”

"They’re divorced, but lately they've been getting closer, even before my brother gave them the store. They're almost flirting, which is a bit weird, if I'm honest."

I nodded. "I bet."

"I'm happy for them no matter what they choose to do, but it sometimes feels like I’m the third wheel."

"Do you often go to the store?" I asked.

"Sort of. We’re helping Mom put the finishing touches on her section. I don’t know if I mentioned, but they each have their own businesses. They tried to use a construction company, but it didn’t work out. Initially, she wanted a particular color scheme, then changed her mind. It’s all right, though.”

I was going to melt. Duncan Sterling was the man of my dreams. And quite frankly, until now, I didn't even know I had a type. But maybe I didn’t. Maybe my type was simply Duncan Sterling.

"What are you thinking?" he said. "Your expression changed."

I sighed. "Up until right now, I didn't think I had a type."

"A type?" His voice had a dangerous edge.

"You know, a type of man I’d go out with."

My voice faded because his eyes turned feral.