She was excited to have dinner with him but also nervous. The last date she’d had took her to a mall food court before they went to see the latest horror movie in a nearby cinema. It had been fun, but super casual. With Volkan, she wanted to seem sophisticated and worldly, which meant not saying or doing anything stupid.

She slid into the chair, her entire body thrumming with energy. He leaned over to push her toward the table and she looked down at his hand where it was wrapped around the chair. It was strong and masculine, like him. His fingers were long and thick, the nails cut short. There was a smattering of faint scars across the back along with crisp dark hairs.

Her heart beat like crazy as he took his place across from her.

“Thank you for agreeing to see me tonight,” he said, his serious gaze meeting hers. “I don’t enjoy dining alone.”

She felt herself drowning in his obsidian eyes and had to remind herself to respond. “Thanks for inviting me.”

To ease the tension thrumming between them, Yasmin broke eye contact and looked around the restaurant again, glancing at the other diners before reaching for her water glass and taking a hasty sip.

“Do I make you nervous, Yasmin?” The way he asked the question, the way his deep, rich voice caressed her name, sent a shiver straight down her spine.

“No,” she blurted.

His lips compressed and he gave his head a slight shake. “You need to stop lying to me.” His tone had a harsh edge to it, but his next words softened the statement. “Even if you do lie to the people you like. Presumably to preserve their feelings.”

She wished she hadn’t told him that tidbit. It was the second time he’d brought it up. He must be a stickler for lies. She honestly didn’t consider what she’d said a lie. It was a social nicety not to admit that someone made her nervous. She liked the guy and wanted him to think well of her.

“Okay then, you freak me out a little,” she admitted. If he wanted the bald truth, she’d give it to him.

“Good girl,” he said with a slight smile, then turned his head and said, “We’ll have a bottle of the 2018 Le Vignoble du Ruisseau Chardonnay.”

Yasmin looked up in surprise and realized their server had approached the table. He looked somewhat shocked as well at the abrupt delivery of their drink order, but quickly recovered.

“Of course, Mr. Kartel,” he said, bowing his head slightly before turning away from the table.

Yasmin didn’t know how to feel about Volkan ordering their drinks without consulting her. No one had ever done that to her before. It was overbearing, but also masterful. Was it a red flag? Maybe. She hoped not since she was enjoying his company so far.