Free Sacred Surrender by Ava Riley Page A

he wouldn’t dress like this for Joe’s, but one of the doctors called in so he went in for a few hours to help out this morning.  He didn’t have time to go home to change, otherwise, he would have.
     
    “You are perfect the way you are.  I, unfortunately, am the one that is a little overdressed.  I had to go in to work this morning for a few hours.  So much for my vacation, huh?” 
     
    “Oh.”  Madison felt her cheeks flush with heat.  She could only imagine that the blood rushing to her face was setting off a bright red glow, which only made her more embarrassed. 
     
    Rowan drew on every ounce of self control that he had to keep himself from stroking Madison’s cheek. He absolutely loved when her face lit up with embarrassment.  Her beauty was magnified by the color in her cheeks and he wanted to place his lips on each one. 
     
    Slow, Rowan.  Take this slow and don’t screw it up. 
     
    “Shall we go in?  This place looks like it should be condemned, but they have the best seafood on the West Coast.” 
     
    “Great.  Thank you for the invitation.” 
     
    “It’s my pleasure,”  Rowan nodded as he put his hand on the small of her back to lead her into the restaurant. 
     
    Madison felt a tingle make its way up her spine from the gentle touch of his fingers.  Heat pooled between her thighs, making her face flush once again.  She couldn’t remember ever having such a reaction from a simple touch, hell, she couldn’t even remember if any other man had ever made her  feel heat in the vicinity of her nether region.  She was afraid Rowan would notice, but apparently he hadn’t because he kept walking with his hand on her back.  She was jerked from thoughts of her over-heating core when he opened the door to an aroma like she’d never experienced before.  The multitude of fragrances of served seafood filled her nostrils, making her stomach ache.  She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she walked through the door, finding her body reacting to the aroma.   A beautiful young blonde gave them a square electronic coaster to signal when their table would be ready.  She let them know they’d have a thirty minute wait, which was going to be an eternity of utter awkwardness for Madison.  She was never good at talking to men in a group much less one on one.  To top it off, a man who made her feel things she never felt before.  Rowan led them to a red bench running along the wall, taking his place next to her on the bench.  He turned to her as if to say something when an older man walked up to them. 
     
    “Rowan, how are you my man?”  The man said as he heartily shook Rowan’s hand. 
     
    “Joe.  Looks like business is treating you well.” 
     
    “That it is, that it is.” 
     
    Joe reminded Madison of her own father.  He stood a good six one, with salt and pepper hair and a demeanor that made her want to wrap her arms around him.  She noticed when he spoke to Rowan his face lit up, causing her to wonder about the relationship the two shared.  Before she knew it, she and Rowan were being led to a secluded table sitting in the very back of the small restaurant.  Joe shook Rowan’s hand before the two of them slid into the red vinyl lined booth, one on each side.  He placed two small tri-fold, worn menus in front of them, winked at Madison before telling them to enjoy their meal then quickly strolling out of the back room leaving them alone.  Madison watched him until he was out of her line of sight, turning back to Rowan to find him watching her.  The heated look he gave her, made her squirm in her seat.  She absently twirled the end of her silk dark hair, nervously trying to figure out an intelligent conversation to have with him. 
     
    “He seems like a pleasant man,” she finally got out trying to cool herself down  somewhat. 
     
    “Joe?  Yeah, he’s a great guy.  I used to work here during medical school.  He was very understanding when I