Sitting across from Mia in his favorite Italian restaurant, Beau felt butterflies in his stomach for the first time in as long as he could remember. The giddy feeling had started the second he saw her standing there in her doorway, wearing a red dress and a gorgeous smile, and he hadn't been able to escape it even though he continuously told himself to calm down.
Her dark hair was loose and hanging around her shoulders. He hadn't seen it like that before since Sam required her to wear her hair in a bun at work. Her eyes were twinkling, and she smelled like roses, a heavenly fragrance that matched her angelic spirit. Mia was a beautiful woman and a sweet soul. It was no wonder he had nervous jitters in his stomach.
At least the conversation was flowing. They didn't talk about work. Whether it was because he didn't want to think about all of the commands Sam could make of her at any time or she didn't want to, they steered clear of that topic of conversation. Instead, they talked about their families-save Sam-college, places he'd traveled to and she would like to, movies they enjoyed, and all sorts of other regular topics that had nothing to do with marketing or work. By the time they were done with dinner, Beau was certain he was smitten with this woman.
It was a weeknight, which meant they both had to get up for work the next day, so he didn't want to keep her our too late, but walking with her, hand in hand, from the car to the door, Beau also didn't want to let her go. Her apartment was on the fourth floor, but there was no elevator, so he took his time guiding her up the stairs and then down the hallway, relishing the feel of her slender fingers twined with his.
At her door, Beau stopped and took a deep breath. "Thanks for going out with me, Mia. I had a wonderful time."
"Thank you for inviting me," she said with a dazzling smile. "I had a great time."
"Me, too. Maybe we can do it again sometime."
He saw the hesitancy in her eyes and arched an eyebrow, wondering if she might explain why she was making that face. She didn't. "That would be fun," she said, which wasn't necessarily a confirmation that she would go if he asked her.
What would she do if he leaned in and kissed her? Would she let him? Would she like it? The scent of her floral perfume was intoxicating as he stared down at her. Smooth, porcelain like skin called out to be touched, caressed. She was looking up at him, her teeth working her bottom lip back and forth in anticipation. Did she want him to kiss her?
Beau brushed a lock of satiny black hair away from her cheek, his fingertips grazing her skin. She made a small noise in the back of her throat. It was enough to make him wonder what it would be like to hear her moan and gasp his name. He moved closer to her, and she took a deep breath.
Slipping his hand behind her, he pulled her closer, and Mia pressed her palm to his chest. The feel of her hand on him, even through his shirt, made his breath catch in his throat. He tipped his head closer to her, praying she didn't pull away.
She didn't. Mia lifted her face, her dark eyelashes fluttering closed and her lips, ruby red and slightly parted, puckered as she released her bottom lip.
He was going to kiss her, but he was going to do it right. Beau closed the distance between them. His lips brushed hers, lightly at first, but then, he increased the pressure, savoring the feeling of her warm mouth as his melded into hers. His tongue teased against that plump bottom lip until she parted her lips, and then the tip of his tongue grazed hers. Mia let out a soft sigh, which encouraged him to pull her closer. The taste of strawberries and a sweetness he couldn't quite place had his head spinning and caused a stirring beneath his belt buckle.
Mia slid her hand up to tangle in the back of his hair as he deepened the kiss. Her tongue danced around his, and his hand slipped around her waist, pulling her slim form even closer to his. Thoughts of what it would be like to lift her petite frame and carry her inside her apartment, to lie her down on her bed and make love to her, filled his mind, but he couldn't do that on a first date, not with this woman. She was far too special for that.
So Beau pulled away while he still could.
Her large eyes opened and she looked up at him, slightly confused, but then realizing it was necessary for them to stop now. She took a step backward, her teeth immediately clamping down on her lip again.
"Good night, Mia," Beau said softly. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Good night, Beau," she said, smiling at him. Her eyelashes were still heavy, and he was tempted to kiss her again.
But he didn't. As she turned to put her key in the door, he took a few steps back, making sure she got into her apartment, before he headed back down the stairs.
A gentle breeze brushed his cheek as Beau stepped out into the night air. He was thankful to have the cool air to calm him, but it couldn't blow the smile off of his face as he headed back to his car. Mia was an amazing woman, and he looked forward to getting to know her better-before Sam had a chance to ruin her.