“It is.” He nodded, exited the vehicle and rounded for her door.

Not surprisingly, she already had it open and was halfway out before he could get there. “You are aware that custom dictates a man open a door for a woman, correct?”

“I’m aware custom traditionally dictates such an action for a man on a date with a woman, but this isn’t a date.”

“Perhaps it is a behavior relegated to dating for other men, but I think we’ve established I am not the average male.” He shut the door, palmed the inner crook of her elbow and gently steered her toward the entrance.

“Well,” she murmured slightly under her breath, her gaze locked on his hand. She let out a slow and steadying exhale then lifted her gaze to him. “I don’t think I can argue with that one.”

Inside, the air was comfortably cool and the red swivel stools that lined the bar at the front all thankfully empty. A few individuals manned the more casual chairs and sofas near the front, so he motioned her toward the contemporary white tables near the back. “Why don’t you tell me what you want, and I’ll order it. If I recall, you’re fond of sweets and theirs are exceptional.”

She quickly scanned the menu overhead and shook her head. “No. No sweets. I’ve got plenty of those stashed away at home.” Her gaze narrowed on the coffee selections. She frowned a second later and started digging in her purse. “Just give me an espresso.”

Stubborn woman. At some point he was going to have to break her of the notion he’d ever allow her to use her own money when she was with him, and as they said, there was no time like the present. “If you’re reaching for money, you can stop.”

Her head snapped up. “But we talked about this.”

“No, you intimated you would pay, and I ignored it. But it seems that I need to make my intentions for this and all future outings very clear. Paying for anything when I’m escorting you will not happen. Such a prospect is untenable to me.”

“Untenable?”

“Are you unfamiliar with the word, or have I struck on your word porn fetish?”

Her grin was instant, and her eyes sparkled with mirth. “Word porn. I like it. Aunt Frieda will have a heyday with that one.” The smile slipped almost as fast as he’d earned it. “But it’s not fair for you to pay all the time.”

He moved close enough she had no choice but to crane her head to hold his gaze. He lowered his voice. “It’s not about fair, milaya. Where I come from, a man with any semblance of honor will always look out for the woman he is with.”

Her eyes were so wide. Filled with wonder. And her lips parted perfectly, ready for his kiss. That first night at Bacchanal he’d done just that. Even with her friends looking on, he’d been tempted to drown in her taste.