“Does that mean this conversation is over?” She smiled, then picked up the wineglass.
“There’s nothing more to talk about on that topic. We now understand each other a bit better.”
“I guess.” Autumn pressed the glass to her mouth and took a drink, all the while her gaze fused with his.
There was something intimate about watching the way her tongue licked her lips before she set down the wineglass that made Chains want to pursue her. The chase would be exhilarating and something new for him, and there was no doubt that he’d catch her in the end.
“You seem like you’re a million miles away. What’re you thinking about?”
“That I’m enjoying being with you. I spend so much time at the clubhouse and with the brothers that it’s nice to have dinner with a pretty and smart woman. It’s a change of pace for me.”
“I’m having a nice time too,” she whispered.
“Are you ready to order?” the waiter asked.
Chains glanced over at Autumn and gestured for her to go first.
“I’ll have the gnocchi with pancetta and pumpkin cream sauce.”
“An excellent selection,” the server said as he jotted down the order on a pad. “Minestrone soup or salad?”
“Salad with balsamic vinaigrette.” She handed the menu to him.
“And for you, sir?” the waiter asked as he glanced at Chains.
“Lasagna. Salad with ranch.”
“Very good.” The server took Chains’s menu. “I’ll be back with more bread and water. Would either of you care for another drink?”
“I’m good, thank you,” Autumn replied.
Chains picked up the tumbler. “Another Jack, and bring me an Alpine Glacier Lager.”
The waiter nodded, then walked toward the kitchen.
“Is that a local beer?” Autumn asked.
“Yep. It’s one of my favorites.”
“Besides whiskey.” Her lips held a hint of a sly smile. The light from the candles reflected in her eyes, making them shimmer.
Chains let his gaze slowly slide over her: he loved the way her skin glowed and how the auburn locks looked like fire-spun threads.Yeah… she’s gorgeous.
“Actually tequila’s my vice. It’s my go-to, but salt and lime have to be part of the equation. What do you like besides wine?”
“Margaritas are good. I’m not a big drinker, so I’m a lightweight if I have strong drinks like martinis or”—she pointed at the empty tumbler—“straight whiskey… Really, straightanything.” She laughed. “I guess I did more studying than partying in college.”
“That’s cool. I know my limit, and for the most part, I stay within it. Being sloppy drunk is never attractive, but it happens.”
Autumn leaned forward. “I want to let you in on a secret, but you cannevertell your mom, okay?” Intrigued, Chains nodded. “A while back, your mom threw me a kitchen shower. That alone is ridiculous because I don’t cook. Anyway, I was so nervous about the shower and the whole wedding thing that I got totally smashed with my friends the night before. The next morning, I was so damn hungover that all I could manage to do was smile and say thank you for a bunch of gifts I was never going to use.”
Chains laughed.Damn, I like this woman.Autumn wasn’t a poser. She didn’t say shit to make him like her or think she was cool. So many women molded themselves to be what they thought he wanted, including his ex-wife.If Krystal had been herself, I’m sure I wouldn’t have hitched up with her. Her true colors came out after I slipped the damn ring on her finger.
“I’m pretty sure your mom would be disappointed if she knew I was so hungover at the shower.”
He winked. “Your secret’s safe.”
“I was starting to have doubts about marrying Bret. Deep down I knew he wasn’t the one, even though I kept convincing myself he was. My friends also would tell me that I was just having pre-wedding jitters.”