Free Passion Never Dies by Joy Tremay Page A

heartfelt statement soothed her troubled thoughts and she smiled as he captured her hand and continued to lead her up the stairs.
    A young waitress in a starched white uniform smiled at them as they entered the restaurant. The turn-of-the-century looking restaurant had the charm of a beach house with many customers sitting and eating on the large patio deck.
    “Please, follow me,” said the waitress as she smiled and led them to a corner alcove near the edge of the outside patio that had breathtaking views of the ocean below.
    “This is a stunning view,” Diana said as she looked out over to the shimmering, blue sea.
    She looked at the kayakers and sailboats out in the ocean and felt the soft, warm breeze sift through her hair. It was a beautiful day without a cloud in the sky and she smiled as Jake leaned toward her.
    “I agree. I have the best view of all,” he said as he studied her intently.
    She blushed at his perusal and then looked down at the menu before her. Unable to focus on her lunch choices and still feeling unsettled from her heated encounter with Jake in the car, she placed her menu down and found him watching her.
    “I’ll take your recommendations on what to order,” she said.
    “So trusting, Diana. What if I recommend something greasy?”
    She laughed. “Something tells me that this restaurant doesn’t serve greasy meals.”
    “They do serve the most fantastic pasta dishes. Do you like seafood?”
    Diana nodded, scraped back her chair, and then stood up.
    “I’m going to freshen up in the ladies’ room. Be right back,” she said, taking her small, white clutch purse with her.
    In the bathroom, decorated tastefully with nautical décor, Diana splashed a few drops of cold water onto her hot cheeks and stared at herself in the mirror . What happened in the car had shocked her. It had been too heated, too much, and too soon. Nothing so unbelievably passionate and uninhibited had ever happened between her and Richard. She felt overwhelmed by the powerful lust she felt for Jake. Being with him was like riding a roller coaster without the safety bar holding her in place.
    Diana tucked a few strands of flyaway hair behind one ear and then quickly peeled down her moistened thong, wrapped it in a paper towel, and tucked it in her purse. She was glad no one else was in the bathroom to witness her unusual behavior. She would have preferred not to go commando, but it was too uncomfortable to walk around in moist underwear. The growing intensity of her feelings for Jake was unnerving. Diana walked out of the bathroom still feeling unsettled, but the excitement of being with him overrode her anxiety at not being able to control her impulsive desires.
    As Diana sat down, Jake said, smiling mischievously, “I suddenly find myself not very hungry.”
    “Why not?” Diana asked curiously. She glanced at the dishes that a waiter was serving at a nearby table. “The food looks delicious.”
    Jake leaned over, his gaze steady on her face.
    “I’m just hungry for one thing...you,” he said, making her heart leap in response to the heated look in his eyes.
    Trying to sound nonchalant, she replied glibly, “You already had dessert. Now it’s time for the main course.”
    He laughed and leaned back in his chair, allowing her to breathe a little easier.
    “I think I’ll have the seafood chowder and a slice of the Mediterranean pizza,” she said, closing the menu and sweeping her hair back away from her face.
    “My kind of girl,” he said. “Their pizza is great here, full of olives and flavor.”
    “Is this your favorite restaurant in San Diego?”
    Jake nodded. “One of them. I love the view from here. I try to come back to San Diego every summer for a few weeks primarily to visit my family, but I also enjoy the ocean and sunshine.”
    “I miss the ocean, too. Sometimes living in Vegas has its drawbacks,” said Diana softly. “But I do like living close to my mom.”
    “You and your mom are