Free Champagne Kisses by Zuri Day

breasts and small waist while the skirt stopped a few inches from the knee, showing off legs surprisingly long for someone of her stature. She paired the perfectly cut yet simple black suit with an equally understated white shell with thin black stripes, simple silver jewelry and minimal makeup. Her hair was in a loose chignon, wisps of curls framing her face and caressing her neck. Spiky black pumps and a splash of perfume completed the look. If she couldn’t feel good, which was becoming an increasing possibility where being around Donovan was concerned, then she was going to look good.
    She walked to the restaurant’s entrance and stood near the hostess station. Thinking of his love of wine, she glanced toward the bar but didn’t see him.
    “Hello,” said the hostess, who’d just returned to her station. “Will someone be joining you this evening?”
    “Yes,” Marissa replied still looking around. “They’ll be one more.”
    “May I have your name?”
    “Marissa Hayes.”
    “Ah, Ms. Hayes. Mr. Drake is already here. If you’ll follow me, please.”
    Marissa followed the hostess farther into the restaurant. For a week night it was fairly crowded and Marissa was glad she didn’t have to search out Donovan on her own. They continued through the main dining area and around a corner. Can we be any farther in the back? Because of my parting statement, did he think I’d show up with a kerchief on my head? Before Marissa’s indignation could get any more righteous, they turned yet another corner and crossed the hall to another door. After a slight tap, the hostess opened the door to a private dining room, smaller than the one where Diamond’s rehearsal dinner had been held, yet equal in its tasteful appointment. “Mr. Drake, your guest,” she said before stepping back to let Marissa enter. Donovan stood and thanked the hostess, almost stopping Marissa in her tracks. He too had dressed for whatever occasion was about to happen and looked perfectly dapper in a chocolate-brown suit, a black shirt open at the collar and those deep chocolate orbs relentlessly trained on her.
    It was going to be an interesting evening.

Chapter 12
    E ntering the private dining room Marissa became coy, almost shy. “You’re looking quite—” what was the word? “—dapper, Mr. Drake,” she said, as he pulled out her chair to be seated. “What’s the occasion?”
    Donovan sat back down, stroked his goatee. “I was just about to ask you the same question.”
    “A chance to wear one of the dressier outfits I packed,” she said with a shrug. She took a sip of her water, looked around the room. “What about you? Special night?” Marissa giggled, part nervousness, part flirt. The evening was not at all turning out as she’d envisioned, something that with Donovan Drake was becoming routine.
    “I don’t know why I chose to dress up,” Donovan said truthfully. “But I’m glad I did.” He nodded toward an open bottle of bubbly chilling in a silver bucket. “Would you like a drink?”
    “I guess one glass in the middle of the week will be okay.”
    Donovan arched a brow. “Only one?”
    “Wouldn’t want to get hungover,” Marissa countered. “My boss is a slave driver.”
    “Ha!” His countenance turned serious. “Marissa, you and I seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot. I want to change that.”
    Nodding slowly, Marissa answered, “Me, too.”
    From seemingly out of nowhere two waiters appeared. One placed down two salad plates while the other set down a basket of rolls and topped off their lemon waters. The first then poured two flutes of champagne and, after an almost imperceptive nod from Donovan, soundlessly retreated through a side door.
    Donovan didn’t reach for the bubbly right away. Instead he looked at Marissa, his intense and thoughtful gaze causing her heartbeat to quicken and her thighs to clench. “I want to apologize for my sometimes boorish behavior,” he said at last. “I take the