Free Black Hills Angel (Black Hills Series) by A.C. Wilson Page A

beers around. Would you like a drink? I think I could use one after our discussion in the truck." That pulled a startled look from her in swift order. Matt's knowing grin sent shivers through her. Damn! He'd figured out she was easy to shock. This was going to be an agility course she wasn't ready to compete in.
    "No. I don't drink. Water is fine." She couldn't look away. His blue eyes sharpened, but thankfully he didn't speak. Yet. The waitress came to take their drink orders and left them to look at the menus. It was a casual dining restaurant with so many tempting entrees. She made it through the first few descriptions, but the silence stretched long and thick. She didn't want to answer the questions that were brewing. Maybe if she just ignored it. Yeah right!
    "I think I am going to have the New York Strip marinated in Jack Daniel's. How about you?" Matt closed his menu and placed it at the corner of the table. Andy shrugged.
    "Maybe the bacon wrapped filets? I always have a hard time deciding what I want." There. She saw his eyes widen fractionally and press his lips together. Was he going to pursue this double meaning?
    "You never know for certain if all your choices will be good ones. It's an educated guess at first and after that, it's a leap of faith." Matt reached his hand across the table, turning his palm up. The invitation was open. He wasn't pushing. He wasn't giving her ultimatums. He was offering. She liked that, but with her life experiences, she still questioned it.
    "All choices have consequences. I wish I would have known that before..." Andy blinked back the moisture that gathered in her eyes just as their waitress came back to take their orders. The moment's reprieve didn't lessen the tightening of her chest. Where was all the air? She unconsciously ran her palm over her chest and shoulder, massaging the muscles. Matt squeezed her hand softly.
    "Not tonight, huh? Let's just enjoy this." He rubbed his thumb over the top of her hand. "I am a very lucky man to be with such a beautiful woman." The blush was back, creeping into her cheeks. She knew it was useless to try and hold back the smile. She couldn't help but believe every word he spoke. She wanted every mouth-watering, you're mine look. Already she felt her core responding to him and all he held was her hand.
    "I had no idea what tonight was going to be like. But I think it's off to a very, very good start." She lowered her voice, dashing all doubts of what she was thinking. The crooked grin that started at the corner of Matt's mouth only made her melt that much quicker. It might be painful to let him get too close, but the pleasure that he all but guaranteed, would be worth it. She hoped.
    "Oh, dinner was wonderful! Thank you." Andy said as she got ready to leave. Matt had insisted on dessert and knowing if she ate one more thing, she really would not feel very sexy. They had compromised. New York Cheesecake to go. Matt held the Styrofoam to go box in one hand and held her hand with the other. The evening had only picked up pace in and outside of The Firehouse. She could hear the band starting another set. People meandered along the sidewalks, past the shops and other businesses. They stopped to look in some of the windows. Matt would point out something that had caught his eye. Andy was rather surprised by his contemporary tastes. She supposed he was an artist in his own right. His company built houses. A discerning eye would be necessary to bring the vision to life.
    Matt let go of her hand to reach into his pocket for his cell phone. It was buzzing. He flicked the screen, smiled and put it away. She tilted her head questioningly.
    "Margaret says Harper is fine." He grinned and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into him. He chuckled into her neck. His breath against her skin offered a pleasurable jolt down her spin clear to her toes. She smiled, bumping her shoulder into his chest.
    "She seems really great. I am glad Harper isn't