Seductively: Playing for Hearts Book 2 (Crimson Romance) Read Online Free PDF Page B

you.”
    “Yeah. I’d gladly trade places with any one of them.”
    “What happens when you’re in Russia?” She lifted her drink. “You said you go there to get away from the chaos.”
    “That’s the thing, nothing happens to me when I go back home.” He shook his head. “In the village, everyone knows me. It’s a small area. Maybe three thousand people.”
    “Do you date?” She glanced away. “I mean, when you’re home.”
    “No.”
    “Huh.” She sipped her wine.
    He braced his forearms on the table. “Why did you do that?”
    “Just hard to believe. I would think you had a girlfriend back home, since you don’t seem to have one here in the States. At least when I Google you, the articles pin you as a playboy, not a relationship sorta guy,” she said.
    The waitress brought their food. He leaned back, catching the wink the woman gave him. He ignored her.
    “My name’s Kimmy. If you’d like anything else … I mean anything, just ask for me.” She slipped a piece of paper under the lip of his plate.
    Disgust soured his mood. He slid the folded message back to the edge of the table. “I’m not — ”
    “He’s mine.” Diana laid her hand atop his, and smiled at him without looking at the waitress. “Aren’t you, baby?”
    “I, uh, yeah, all yours.” He curled his fingers around her hand, catching on to her act. “Sweetcheeks.”
    The waitress stared at the two of them. He continued to gaze at Diana. She was full of surprises.
    “Enjoy your dinner.” The waitress spun around and hurried away.
    Diana jerked her hand back. “Sweetcheeks? Really? You might as well have said, ‘Hey, chubs, want another piece of cake?’”
    “I’d never say such a thing.” He glanced down at the table before looking at Diana again. “What should I call you?”
    “Diana.” She popped a fry into her mouth and grinned. “Seriously, Dom. Did you see the woman’s face? I thought she was going to cry. I think we’re onto something with this whole fake dating thing.”
    “I told you. I need you.” He grinned, feeling proud of getting her to come stay with him.
    “Stop right there.” She shook her head. “No smiling. At least until we’re back at your condominium. You don’t want to press your luck and have Kimmy coming back to our table.”
    “You’re right.” He tapped the edge of the table. “Scoot over here to my side.”
    “Why?”
    “Maybe if we looked like a real couple, we’ll get through the whole meal without any more interruptions.” He scooted to the inside of the booth.
    “Good idea.” She pushed her plate over, hiked up her sweatshirt, and slid into the spot next to him.
    Her leg pressed against the side of his thigh. His body went on instant alert. He reached for his wine and accidently bumped his elbow into her arm. “Sorry.”
    “No problem.” She had plenty of room to scoot over, but she remained next to him.
    He leaned over and whispered, “Kiss me.”
    She burst out laughing. “We’re pretending. Don’t confuse reality with fantasy.”
    “I won’t … my little lamb.”
    She flattened her hands on the table, turned her head, and nailed him with a look that made it hard not to laugh. “No. Just. No.”
    He leaned forward, propped his hand over his lower jaw, and hid his smile. Hell, he was going to have a good time with her. She gave him back everything he dished out without turning it into a game to get his attention.
    They spent the rest of the meal in comfortable conversation. The longer he went without any interruptions, the more relaxed he started to feel. When he finished all the food on his plate and ate most of the dessert Diana wanted to share, he leaned back and stretched. This was the most enjoyable meal he’d eaten since leaving Russia.
    Diana yawned. A smile landed on his lips. Her guard had slipped during the meal, and she hadn’t even noticed they’d conversed without any of her normal snappy replies.
    “It’s been a long day with traveling and