Hot Blooded

inside. He
watched her move, stared at her legs, then leaned in so close she thought he
might kiss her right there, only to buckle the seat belt around her.
    The breath stuttered out of her.
    "You smell like cherries," he whispered. "I love cherries." Then he closed
her door and went to his own, got behind the wheel and drove.

----
Chapter 5
    Â« ^ »
    THE restaurant was quiet and dark, even though the sun hadn't yet set
outside. The dinner rush hadn't begun, but for the doctor, a table was ready and
waiting in a dim corner where not another table was occupied. Candles glowed on
the table, and soft music wafted from unseen speakers.
    She noticed when Samuel met the waiter's eyes, nodded and mouthed the word
"perfect."
    The waiter held out her chair for her, and Samuel stood until she was seated.
Then he took his own seat and ordered wine. The way the candlelight lit his eyes
was almost eerie. They glowed.
    "This is a beautiful restaurant," she said, trying to break the tension that
seemed to hover in the air between them. The car had been filled with it.
    "For a beautiful woman."
    She smiled a little. "You don't waste any time, do you?"
    "I don't believe in wasting time. I used to. Used to wait for things to
happen at their own pace and try to be patient, and calm. Keep things… toned
down."
    "And that changed?"
    He nodded.
    "Why?"
    With a little shrug, he said, "Because I changed, I guess. I learned the
thrill of going after what I wanted, no holds barred. And of living life in a
way that lends itself to relishing every single moment. There's a lot to be said
for instant gratification."
    "That might be true. But what happens when you can't get what you want?"
    He smiled slowly. "I always get what I want."
    The waiter returned with the wine, showed Samuel the bottle then poured a bit
into his glass. Samuel sniffed it, swirled it, tasted it and then gave a nod.
The waiter filled both glasses and left the bottle, in its ice-filled silver
bucket, on the table.
    "Try the wine."
    She took a sip. "It's good."
    "No. Not like that. Experience the wine, Jenny. Smell it, taste it. Feel it
sliding over your tongue and down your throat—relish the moment."
    She lifted her glass again.
    "Close your eyes, think of nothing but the wine. Open your senses."
    She did as he said, trying to focus everything on the wine, though it was
difficult with the man sitting across from her, absorbing her attention in a way
no wine would ever do. She smelled the wine, let its scent fill her, then took a
slow sip and held it in her mouth to taste it thoroughly before swallowing. The
wine's taste remained on her tongue even as its warmth spread through her belly.
    "Mmm." She opened her eyes to see his fixed on her face.
    A throat cleared nearby, and Jenny looked up to see the waiter standing ready
with two menus in his hands. "May I tell you about our specials?" he asked.
    Samuel let his eyes tell her to answer for them both. She said, "No, I know
what I want. I've been dying for some authentic gumbo. Do you make a vegetarian
version?"
    "Of course. A wonderful choice," he said, then turned to Samuel.
    "Steak. Rare."
    "And which of our sides do you want with that?"
    "None. Just bring the steak."
    The waiter turned and hurried away.
    Jenny watched the doctor closely throughout the meal, and she found that his
words were more than just talk. He really
did
seem to relish every
taste, every smell, every sound. He seemed to relish
her
. Looking at
her. Watching her.
    "Dessert?" he asked when he'd finished the entire steak and pushed the plate
aside.
    "No, I couldn't even finish this vat of gumbo they brought me." She glanced
down at the food remaining and felt a little guilty. "It was delicious, though."
    He smiled. "I'm glad you enjoyed it." He lifted a hand without turning his
head, catching the attention of the waiter, who was facing in their direction,
across the room. Whether he somehow knew the man was looking at them, or just
got lucky, she couldn't guess.
    "Yes, is everything all right?"
    Samuel nodded. "We're ready to leave now." He slipped a bill into the man's
hand. Jenny couldn't see what it was. "We're taking the bottle with us. Tally it
up and keep the change."
    "Yes, sir," the waiter said. From the look on his face as he tucked the money
away, it must have been plenty. "It's been a pleasure serving you, Dr. La
Roque." He nodded at Jenny. "And you, Professor Rose."
    She was surprised he