She took her seat. “It’s quite lovely to meet you, Gen,” he said, a gorgeous accent curling like smoke around her. Yum. She couldn’t seem to place the geographic location, but she wasn’t surprised. She’d almost flunked history. Twice.
“Me, too. I’ve been looking forward to it.” They settled on drinks and food, and launched into casual conversation. “Forgive me, I can’t seem to place your accent.”
He laughed and clasped his hands together on the table. “I’m originally from France but have been in the States for a while now. I studied pharmacology here, settled down, and never looked back. I enjoy visiting, but I consider New York home.”
A pleasant glow buzzed around her. How long had it been since she’d been interested in another man? Even before David she barely dated, too busy with medical school, grades, and general achievement. His attention buffed her skin to a healthy shine better than any expensive exfoliator. “I’ve always wanted to visit France. I haven’t traveled much.”
He sipped his wine, his long, tapered fingers wrapped around the glass. “Understandable if you’re a surgeon.”
“Still a resident,” she corrected.
“Do you love what you do?”
The question threw her. Did she? Funny, Wolfe had asked her the same thing on the dock that night. She never stopped to analyze her emotions or happiness regarding her career choice. It had always been something she was committed to and never looked back on. But lately, now that she’d stepped away for a while, a dull ache rested low in her gut, reminding her of what she had left behind. She longed for patients, and the surge of energy when faced with a case, and the calmness within the storm at the first cut of the scalpel. The world fell away, and she was reminded of who she was. Her destiny.
“Yes,” she said softly, staring into his eyes. “For a while I’ve been a bit lost, looking for confirmation I made the right choice.”
He leaned forward. “I think we all do at one point. If we didn’t question, would our final choices be worth it?”
She smiled. “You speak like a philosopher rather than a scientist.”
Charles laughed. “I guess I do. I’ve always been what you would term an old soul. I made mistakes along the way but I can’t regret them.”
“Agreed.”
Their food arrived, and they fell into easy conversation. Besides emanating a delicious sexual energy, Charles was sharp, polite, and funny. By the end of the dinner, her heart pounded with a mad glee. She might have been out of the game for a while, but she’d bet her life they had electricity. As they walked out of the restaurant, he held her elbow in a firm grip, steering her down the sidewalk toward her car. Anticipation flowed through her veins, as sweet as the sauvignon blanc she’d drunk. Oh, how badly she wanted to take a wild leap and do something crazy. To allow her body to finally release all the constraints of her mind and past time with David. To stop questioning her ability to attract men, surrender to sex, and please her mate.
“I’ve had a wonderful time meeting you, Gen,” he drawled. They stopped near her Ford Fusion. “It’s quite rare I have such an in-depth, interesting conversation on an initial meeting.”
She loved the way he spoke, a combination of scholarly and lilting syllables, like music paired with the perfect lyrics. Gen turned and tilted her head up. His brown eyes were soft, and twin dimples winked at her in the moonlight. Ignoring her pounding heart, she leaped into the unknown and swore to enjoy the fall.
“I feel the same. Perhaps we should continue this fascinating conversation at my place?” Her voice trembled so slightly, Gen prayed he wouldn’t notice. She pursed her lips just a bit to give him a bit of temptation. Hopefully. Her palms sweat. This was scary. But she wasn’t far off, there were vibes coming from him that told her he was attracted.
He gave a soft, sexy laugh and took her hands. She tried not to wince at the evidence of her nervousness when he squeezed gently. “You are a delight. May I be completely honest?”
“Absolutely.”
He leaned in. Her gaze settled on his full mouth. Wolfe flashed in her memory, but she shoved the image hard and fast, refusing to lose this opportunity.
“You are the total package. But after my divorce, I made myself a promise. I married the first time because I thought it was the obvious next step. She was smart, kind, and funny. But I loved her as a friend, not a passionate partner.” He lifted her hands and pressed a soft kiss to her sweaty palms. “You remind me of her. We would have fun, be companionable, but there would never be the spark I need in a relationship. The raw passion I’m looking for. But of course, you feel the same way. You must also realize we don’t have that type of fiery connection that makes us crazy, ache to drop into bed, and make love until we both fall apart. We just have . . . friendship.”
Gen blinked. Her heart stopped pounding and paused. The wild leap into the unknown had turned into a free fall that ended in a tangle of broken limbs splashed over hard, cold concrete. Numb, she managed an enthusiastic nod. “Yes, yes, of course. I completely agree, I was just enjoying our friendly discussion.”
He smiled back. “As was I. I will tell Kate we are not meant for another date, but I do hope to see you again, Genevieve. You were wonderful company for a lonely soul.”
She plastered on a fake smile, managed to suffer through a peck on the cheek, and waved as he headed toward his own car. Crowds spilled onto the streets, enjoying the warm night air. White lights twinkled amid the row of trees lining the sidewalk. Her gaze caught on a younger couple wrapped up in each other, their hands stroking over each other as if unable to tear themselves away from breaking contact, laughs low and intimate, creating a bubble no onlooker or stranger could break.