Club Prive Book 3 by M. S. Parker Read Free Book Online Page B

me.
     
    “What’s next?” I joked. “Three guys with violins to serenade us while we eat?”
     
    A combination of horror and astonishment came over Gavin’s face. “You don’t want that?”
     
    I laughed as he played along with my joke. The amusement only lasted a few seconds as I realized he wasn’t joking.
     
    He called over his shoulder. “Hold the trio.” His cheeks were red and he couldn’t meet my gaze.
     
    Now I felt awful. He’d gone to all this trouble and I’d made it into a joke. “No,” I said. I reached out and put my hand over his. He looked at me then. I smiled. “Music would be nice. Thank you.”
     
    He gave me that shy smile, the one that didn’t have any of his charm or swagger, the one that I hoped was only for me. He waved a hand back towards the door we’d come through. A moment later, three men in tuxedos appeared, carrying violins. They began to play a soft piece of classical music. It was vaguely familiar but I didn’t know the name.
     
    “I know it’s tacky,” he said. He still looked a bit sheepish and I knew that was my fault. “But I just thought, what if you expected it and I didn’t have it? I didn’t want to disappoint you.”
     
    I swallowed hard. I released his hand and leaned forward enough so that I could place my hand on his cheek. I made sure he could see how serious I was before I spoke. I needed him to believe me, because I needed that insecure look to leave his face. I hated that I put it there, and I wanted my words to take it away.
     
    “You can never disappoint me.”
     
    He smiled then, all shadows gone.
     

Chapter 9
     

     
    I’d never eaten anything quite like that meal. For the most part, I found fancy restaurants to be overpriced and the food not worth the effort. This, however, would’ve been worth a six-month wait and whatever exorbitant price La Petit charged. I didn’t consider myself a foodie, but I did appreciate a good meal. The soup was just enough to whet the appetite, and then came the chicken in some fancy sauce I didn’t even have a name for. It was spiced just right, flavored but not overwhelming. The portions were perfect, enough to be filling, but still leaving room for dessert. And what a dessert it was. A thin slice of the richest chocolate cheesecake I’d ever eaten. Gavin and I split it, and even though half was barely three bites, it was perfect. Any more would’ve been too much.
     
    “I need to remember to send a thank you to the chef,” Gavin said as he set his fork down on the empty plate. “That was magnificent.”
     
    I nodded in agreement.
     
    He turned to the trio of musicians. “Thank you, gentlemen. You have truly been wonderful.” He reached into his jacket and pulled out several folded-up bills. Judging by the way the lead musician’s eyes widened, I was willing to bet Gavin hadn’t handed over twenties. The men each gave a little bow and disappeared into the shadows.
     
    “I’d like to show you my place, if you’re interested.” Gavin stood and held out a hand to me.
     
    Was he kidding? Of course I wanted to see his place. I had so many questions about him, who he was, what he did. Any opportunity to see behind the man, I’d take. I slid my hand into his, shivering as his fingers closed around mine.
     
    There was that too.
     
    I didn’t doubt for a moment that part of seeing Gavin’s apartment would involve sex, and I wanted that almost as much as I wanted to know more about him.
     
    He led me back downstairs, leaving our table for the waiter to clean up, or at least that’s what I assumed would happen. I wasn’t going to dwell on that, though. He’d arranged the date. It wasn’t my responsibility.
     
    “I bought this place a year ago,” he said as he pressed his palm against the electronic pad next to the door. “But it took me a couple of months to get everything just the way I liked it.”
     
    The red light next to the door turned green and I heard the lock