An Exceptional Twist (6 page)

Pulling into the lavish resort, Stefen
couldn't help but acknowledge what a classy place it was. Large
palm trees lined the circular driveway that lead to what looked
like a luxurious mansion you might find in Spain. This was
definitely his kind of place.

When he was home in Chicago, he went to a
lot of parties in houses that looked similar to this resort. The
only real difference was the ocean in the background. He was
beginning to get too attached to that damn ocean.

Stefen stepped out of the
car and glanced at the valet attendant opening Leah's door. That
brazen ass had the nerve to gawk at her in front of him.
A strange feeling washed over him. He felt
possessive.

Yep, buddy, she’s probably used to being
with lowlifes like you, but she's here with me tonight.

He tossed the keys over to the attendant,
putting his arm assertively around her waist as he looked back once
to eyeball the minimum-wage employee who was still shamelessly
checking her out.

Once Stefen was done with her, this guy
could have a shot if he wanted. But as soon as he thought it, he
was instantly pissed off.

“Dipshit,” Stefen mumbled under his
breath.

“Excuse me?” Leah pulled away, eyeing
him.

“Not you.” Wrapping his arm around her
waist, he pulled her close again. “I was talking about the jackass
undressing you with his eyes.”

Her eyes widened, surprised.

“You didn’t notice him,
did you?”
There’s no way she didn’t see
him checking out her every curve.

She smoothed her dress down, snaking her arm
around him as she admitted, “I don’t usually pay attention to other
guys when I’m on a date.” Then her shit eating grin broke free.

This is going to be a long night.

They strolled through the elaborately
decorated lobby of the Spanish colonial resort. He took it all in
as he went, loving the feel of Leah’s arm wrapped around him.

Leaning in, she whispered, “Let’s grab a
cart to the restaurant. This property is just under eighty-acres,
so it’s nice to hitch a ride when you can.”

She led him to the golf cart, her floral
perfume overwhelming his senses. Once on board, the driver zipped
around the miniature road so quickly, Stefen wondered how they
would get back to the lobby.

As they pulled in front of the restaurant,
Leah hopped off and ran ahead of him. The hostess looked up when
Leah provided her name. He wasn’t used to his dates taking the
lead. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he tried to squash the
uncomfortable feeling and remain a gentleman.

They were seated on the
outdoor oceanfront terrace. He took a breath of the salty
air.
This is my kind of
place
.

Perusing her menu, Leah made a silly face
while concentrating on what food to order. “What sounds good to
you? We can get a couple of tapas to share or have our own dishes.”
Nonchalantly placing her index finger on her mouth, she swiped back
and forth.

“What?” he asked. He
couldn’t’ remember what she said, he’d been concentrating so hard
on her lips.
Oh yeah
. He remembered. “Your choice.”

Usually, he did the ordering. The best cut
of steak for him, salad for the lady, and the finest wine the
restaurant had to offer. None of his dates ever minded. However,
Leah’s excitement was palpable as she browsed the menu, and he
wanted her to pick whatever was putting that sparkle in her
eyes.

“Abby and I normally share a couple of
plates.” That finger continued to slide across her mouth.

The fantasies of what he wanted to do to
that finger and those lips, were making things a bit uncomfortable
for him. Discreetly adjusting himself, he closed his menu, wrapping
his hand around hers to still the distracting movement. “At this
point, I'll agree to whatever you want.”

Catching her eyes, he
offered his most sinful grin, and he heard her breath catch.
Yeah, she definitely picked up on what I was
talking about.

She cleared her throat again, redirecting
their conversation back to the food. “I’ll order a few different
types of tapas, then.”

He had to give it to her. Leah was fantastic
at switching subjects.

The waiter approached with
a huge grin, disregarding Stefen completely.
Why do these jackwads think it’s okay to flirt with her in
front of me?

Leah smiled sweetly up at
him as she placed her hand on his.
What
the hell?
“Hola, Antonio.”

She knows him by
name?
He tried not to glare at the
waiter—he didn’t need spit in his food—but he couldn’t help the
jealousy spiking his pulse.

She was grinning at the
guy like they’d grown up together. “We’d like
Ensalada Tropical
,
Aceituna con Limón
,
Chorizos a la
Plancha
,
Cameron
con Patatas al Alioli
, and
Pechuga de la Pollo Madrilena
.
Gracias
.”
They shared a parting smile before
Antonio
strode away.

You have got to be shitting me.

Stefen tried to hide his annoyance, so he
fisted his hands in his lap where she couldn’t see. “Friend of
yours?”

Leah creased her forehead, looking
confused.

Raising his eyebrows, he reminded her of
what she’d just said in the lobby. “I thought you don’t pay
attention to other guys when you’re on a date.”

She didn’t even try to hold in her laugh.
“Abby and I used to come here on special occasions. We got to know
Antonio pretty well.”

“What the hell does that
mean?
Pretty well.”

Shit, I’m losing my cool in front of
her.

Patting his hand, Leah gave him a
condescending look. “Stefen, relax. He’s gay.”

“No way! He totally
ignored me.”
All gay men love
me.

“Wow, that’s a bit
arrogant, don’t you think? Just because he’s gay, doesn’t mean he’s
going to drool over every man he comes across. Antonio’s in a
committed relationship and respects his partner.” Turning her head,
she added under her breath, “Something you know
nothing
about.”

He wasn’t even going to waste his time
calling her out on that comment because she was right, and he
really didn’t care.

Whatever.
He grunted and switched topics. “That sounded
like a lot of food.” He looked around at the other patrons. “Do you
have a whole family of waiters that are going to come eat with
us?”

A know-it-all smirk crossed her face, and
she rolled her eyes. “No. Tapas are very small dishes.” She circled
her thumbs and forefingers, indicating how small. “I’m surprised
you’ve never had them before.”

His eyes sparked. “I ate tapas when I was in
Spain. I know what size they are, it just sounded like you were
ordering a lot of food.” He smoothed a hand down his shirt. “What
was that other one with lemon?”

“Olives. It's one of my favorites and super
delish.” A genuine smile replaced her know-it-all attitude. This
girl certainly lit up when it came to her food.

“I look forward to trying it, then.”

After a little
conversation, the food arrived. She wasn’t
exaggerating
— these
tapas
were small. So small, he wasn’t sure he could stretch the
plate into two bites. Hungry, he decided to eat more of the bread
and roasted red pepper garlic mayonnaise the waiter brought
earlier.

“Their food is
sooo
good.” Leah moaned
softly while devouring a piece of chicken. She licked the sauce
from her lips, throwing his mind into another round of
fantasies.

He shifted uncomfortably
in his seat. “Uh, yeah...it's delicious.” He cleared his throat,
eyes widening.
If she doesn’t stop that
damn licking soon, I’m going to lick her lips for her.
Intentionally looking out at the view, he said,
“So tell me about your flower shop.”

She wiped her mouth, using a cloth napkin
for the left over sauce.

Son of a bitch.
She needed to stop that. Stop it all.

She set the napkin down, completely
oblivious. “I always knew that I wanted to own a flower shop and of
course mine is the best in town.” Her proud smile was endearing. “I
love flowers and the joy they bring people. They can brighten some
of the saddest moments. I know it sounds corny but, when I'm
arranging flowers, I feel like an artist. Like I’m able to affect
people emotionally. I have a couple of very talented girls working
for me, too.” She smiled, eyes bright and full of joy as she
described not only her occupation, but her passion.

Finished with dinner, they decided against
dessert. When the check came, each grabbed for the slip at the same
time, but Stefen snatched it up a millisecond before her.

Leah reached for it in his hand. “I invited
you. My treat.”

Their fingers touched. He felt her shiver,
and he grinned. “I don't think so. I never let a woman pay. It's
not in my nature.”

Resigning, she pulled her hand away,
offering a thankful smile. “Well, that's very chivalrous of you.
I’m not used to anyone paying for me.” She gazed out at the ocean.
The sun had already set, but the waves could be heard crashing
quietly against the sand.

Stefen wondered what kind of pricks she’d
been dating if they’d let her contribute to the bill.

Once the tab was settled, they headed to the
club where the fast tempo of Latin dance music could be heard. The
moment they entered, all eyes were on them. Or rather, all eyes
were on her, and she acted as though she hadn’t noticed.

Couches lined the walls,
while tall circular tables with bar stools filled the center of the
room. An oblong-shaped bar with an intriguing mosaic tile design
was located at the end of the room as well as a rather large dance
floor.
This place is packed.

Stefen held onto her elbow and led her
through the sea of people to get to the bar. “What would you like
to drink?” he yelled into her ear over the loud music.

Leah’s eyes lit up as she took in the
atmosphere. “I'd love a White Russian.”

Stefen ordered, paid for the drinks, and
directed them to the only open table he could see. Before he could
get his ass on the tall chair, Leah tugged on his arm.

“I love this song. Can we dance?” She had a
pouty look on her face. Not like a child’s. It was the pout of a
beautiful seductress. No matter how she tried to play the part,
this was no innocent.

“Sure.” He placed a light hand on her hip.
“Let's go.”

Before they even hit the dance floor, she
started swaying her hips, taking small quick steps from side to
side as she matched the rhythm of the melody. She looked like an
exotic, untouchable fantasy. Stefen tried to keep up, but it was
near impossible to follow her flawless moves.

Jolts of energy ran through his entire body
as she unexpectedly dug her fingers into his hips.

“Like this,” she guided him, holding firmly
as she moved her hands and his hips up and down to the beat of the
music. Turning around, she backed into him, shaking her ass and
rocking her hips. Her arms raised above her head while she wiggled
her shoulders.

Son of a bitch.
She was intoxicating.

He hoped she didn’t back up too far and
discover just how much he was enjoying her dance moves. Leah ran
her hands under her hair and pulled it up, exposing one of his
favorite parts on a woman’s body. Her neck. The skin running down
her neckline and shoulders glistened with sweat as she continued to
move her body.

Drinking her in, he
decided there wasn’t much he wouldn’t do to make her his. At least,
for one night. That was all he wanted. One
fantastic
night.

Between the effects of the strobe lights,
her sweaty body, floral scent, and visions of what he’d like to do
to her, Stefen was ready to pick her up caveman-style and get the
hell out of here. When Leah turned around, she gave him a look that
suggested she was up for the same thing.

Stefen leaned in to finally kiss her sensual
lips when they were interrupted by a guy who thought he was Rico
Suave, curly long black hair, opened button-up shirt, and all.

Who the hell let this guy in?

“You wanna dance with me next,
beautiful?”

Seriously, Asshole?

Stefen wrapped his arm around her waist and
yanked her into his side. “She has a dance partner. Fuck off.”

This son of a bitch has some serious
balls.

Her back stiffened against him, and she
threw her head over her shoulder. “That was very primitive of you.”
She spoke just loud enough for him to hear over the music as the
asshat strolled away, tail between his legs.

He apologized as she turned to face him.
“I—I—I'm sorry. Did you want to dance with him?” He fisted his
hands by his side, aggravated that, not only was this woman making
him stutter, but also because he was losing control.

“I never said that it bothered me.” She
shrugged, running her hands over his shoulders while she pressed
her chest into him. “I was merely pointing it out. I'm here with
you.” She rewarded him with a very sexy smile.

Leah turned her back and
continued to swirl her hips, and his tension eased.
Damn right, you’re here with me.
But his relief was short-lived when he lifted his
head and noticed that all eyes were still on her. Even the
women’s.