Free Melt Into You by Lisa Plumley Page A

tonight is Damon.” She took care of a few details. Then, “I’ll see you tomorrow. Love you!”
    Breezily, Natasha hung up the phone. Expectantly, she turned to Scott, enjoying the grown-up, cleaned-up, laid-back surfer boy vibe he gave off. Smiling, she hugged him hello.
    Up close, Scott looked even better than she remembered. He was clean shaven, nattily dressed, and intriguingly muscular. His brilliant blue eyes sparkled at her. His smile beamed.
    This was going to go well tonight. She just knew it.
    As if agreeing with her, Scott took her elbow. They headed inside the restaurant—one Natasha had purposely chosen because of its distance from the hotel that was hosting the chocolate conference—then sat at a cozy table in the bar. Scott ordered a drink; Natasha did, too. She’d only begun sipping it, enjoying the convivial atmosphere between her and Scott, when he leaned forward. He touched her forearm. His eyes danced even bluer.
    She had a sudden yearning to kiss him, right then and there. It was Vegas. Who would care? Besides, she felt so lonely tonight. Phone calls weren’t the same as real connectedness.
    Scott drew in a breath. “So, what’s the story with Damon?” he asked. “All anyone could talk about today was his varietals workshop. I figured I could get the inside scoop from you.”
    Great . Scott was a Damon groupie, Natasha realized. He must have asked her to dinner hoping to garner some tips on how to succeed in business. And pleasure. And everything in between.
    This had happened to her before. It was never fun.
    But just in case she was wrong, Natasha smiled.
    “Look, I said yes to dinner tonight because I wanted to get to know you , Scott.” Across the table, she took his hand. “So if you don’t mind, I’d rather not talk about my boss. Okay?”
    Scott seemed confused. “Really? But today, Damon was so—”
    “I was out shopping most of the day,” Natasha interrupted with a lighthearted wave. She sipped more of her drink. It tasted delicious. It tasted like the teensy dose of freedom she’d had this afternoon, after she’d unloaded Damon’s care and feeding to Jason, for once. “I played hooky from the conference. Sometimes I just feel ... naughty, like that.” With sham innocence, she raised her eyebrows. She slipped off her slingback shoe, then playfully nudged Scott’s muscular, trouser-covered calf with her bare toes. “Don’t you feel naughty sometimes, too, Scott? I mean, here we are, all alone together in Sin City—”
    Now he appeared flustered. “But it was Damon Torrance today. The superstar stud of our industry! How can you ignore—”
    “Easy.” Her nonchalant wave turned downright glib. “I’m used to him. In fact, I’m over him. And do you know why?” Here, Natasha nailed Scott with a straightforward look. “Because Damon Torrance doesn’t appreciate me, and I want a man who does.”
    Just then, Natasha could think of several ways the right man could appreciate her properly. Starting with a kiss ...
    Incredibly, Scott shook his head. “You probably just don’t comprehend the full magnitude of Damon’s business genius.”
    She stared. “You’re defending him?” And calling me stupid?
    “Of course.” Scott slipped his hand from hers. He hoisted his drink. “Damon’s a legend. Not just in our little bittersweet corner of the world, either.” He gave her a semi-smarmy grin. “Did you see what I did just there? ‘Bittersweet.’ Get it?” With a sudden frown, Scott leaned nearer. “Hey, do you think he’d mind me calling him Damon? Because until we’ve been introduced—”
    “I’m not going to introduce you to Damon.”
    “Well, not tonight , of course!” Scott gave an uneasy chuckle. Hastily, he grabbed her hand. His fingers, wet and sticky from his drink, kneaded hers. “Tonight is all about us!”
    “No. I’m not introducing you to Damon. Ever.”
    Now Scott appeared wounded. “Why not?”
    “Maybe you can mull over that