Blind Date

by Veronica Tower

  Blind Date

  By

  Veronica Tower

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Blind Date by Veronica Tower

  Red Rose™ Publishing

  Publishing with a touch of Class! ™

  The symbol of the Red Rose and Red Rose is a trademark of Red Rose™ Publishing

  Red Rose™ Publishing

  Copyright© 2011 Veronica Tower

  ISBN: 978-1-4543-006-3

  Cover Artist: Shirley Burnett

  Editor: Keren Childers

  Line Editor: Pam

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews. Due to copyright laws you cannot trade, sell or give any ebooks away.

  This is a work of fiction. All references to real places, people, or events are coincidental, and if not coincidental, are used fictitiously. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only.

  Red Rose™ Publishing

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  Thank you for purchasing a book from Red Rose™ Publishing where publishing

  comes with a touch of Class!

  Blind Date

  By

  Veronica Tower

  Part I: The Date

  Chapter One

  Chris

  Chris rang the doorbell and stood nervously worrying about first impressions. Blind dates sucked and he wondered for the umpteenth time how he had let Liv talk him into this one. Of course, her description of Merci had helped—luscious black hair, large breasts, firm thighs and a kicking ass—but tantalizing as Liv made Merci sound he was still standing on a stranger’s doorstep on the advice of a woman who at best only tolerated him. He’d deserve it if this night went wrong. What had he been thinking of when he trusted Liv?

  Chris adjusted his tie and resisted the urge to walk away as the sounds of footsteps approached the door. His mouth went dry and his heart leapt out of his chest and up into his throat. He took a deep breath trying futilely to calm his nerves.

  The door opened.

  “Hi, I’m—”

  Chris broke off as a beautiful black woman in a tight red dress appeared before him. She had rich mahogany skin, large dark eyes and a friendly, inviting smile. Too bad Chris was at the wrong place. The lucky guy this woman was waiting for had a treat in store for him tonight.

  “I’m sorry,” Chris told her. “I must have the wrong address. Do you know Merci LaCroix?”

  The woman’s smile broadened. “Let me guess, Liv didn’t tell you I’m black.”

  Chris felt his mouth drop open as he realized the extent of his blunder. “Merci? God, I’m sorry! I ... Liv described you but she didn’t say you’re... I feel like such an idiot!”

  Merci took Chris’ misstep in stride. “Well you know, Liv,” she told him. “On some issues she can be so PC. She probably decided it was socially incorrect to mention that you look Nordic and I look African. Let me guess. She told you I’ve got long dark hair, brown eyes and great tits.”

  That was closer to Liv’s description than Chris wanted to admit, although it left out Liv’s assurance that if Chris showed Merci a good time she’d be a sure thing at the end of the evening. Chris decided against full disclosure, sharing only the flattering information. “She also said you’re well-traveled, know how to enjoy life and will really make me laugh.”

  Thankfully, Merci smiled. It was a truly beautiful expression: warm, friendly, inviting...

  “That sounds like Liv,” she said.

  “So how did she describe me?” Chris asked. “Did she mention I’m white?” He wasn’t really sure he wanted to know what Liv had said about him, but then it couldn’t be all bad or Merci would have never agreed to go out with him.

  “Not exactly,” Merci admitted, “but it was obvious from the context.”

  “I’m not sure what you mean by that,” Chris said.

  “Maybe if this evening goes well I’ll explain it to you,” Merci answered.

  Chris grinned. “Does that mean that despite my social blunder you’d still like to go out tonight?”

  “Why not?” Merci asked. “Liv recommends you and you’re obviously pleased with the idea.”

  Chris hoped she couldn’t see just how pleased. Merci looked absolutely stunning! It occurred to him that he’d never slept with a black woman. The prospect felt exotic and exciting. He’d forgive Liv for the gaps in her description of Merci so long as she was correct in the rest of her assessment.

  Chapter Two

  Merci

  Merci’s heart beat rapidly as she took her seat on the passenger side of Chris’ mustang. She couldn’t believe she’d let Liv talk her into this. Bad enough she was going on a blind date but did Liv really think she could go through with the rest of the evening? What if Chris got mad? What if he didn’t take no for an answer? How the hell was this supposed to work?

  The driver’s side door opened and Chris got behind the wheel. He really was cute. Nordic didn’t really capture him properly. He looked like an old time Viking warrior with blond hair, blue eyes and an impressive physique. He had to be at least six foot four and his hands were massive.

  He flashed her a cocky smile. Liv had succeeded in off-footing him by not warning him Merci was black, but he’d recovered quickly enough as Merci was certain Liv expected. It made sense. Only a really arrogant SOB would let a woman who hates him set him up on a date. Liv insisted that Chris didn’t know she hated him, but nobody could really be that stupid. Despite her slight figure, Liv was as subtle as a rhinoceros.

  “So where are we going?” Merci asked.

  “Antonio’s,” Chris told her. “You know it?”

  Merci did. Antonio’s was five-star classy. Matching the restaurant with the Mustang suggested Chris was pretty wealthy. Liv had said he was some sort of bond broker, but Merci didn’t really know much about that profession. “Very nice,” she said. “Do you go there often?”

  “My first time,” Chris said. “Left on my own I’m a pizza and burger kind of guy, but this seemed like a great opportunity to try something different.”

  Merci nodded thoughtfully, uncertain if she should give Chris points for honesty or blame him for not being real with her. A first date—especially a blind date—ought to give the couple a chance to get to know each other.

  “How about you? Do you like Italian?”

  “Who doesn’t like Italian?” Merci asked. She wondered if he expected her to say she preferred soul food.

  Chris’ grin alleviated that concern. “Good, because you know I’m not wedded to the restaurant. We can go to a steak house if you prefer.”

  “Antonio’s is fine,” Merci said. “Really, I’m easy-” Merci cringed internally as she realized what she had just said, then hurried on hoping that Chris wouldn’t notice. “I mean, wherever you want to go is all right with me.”

  More of Chris’ pearly white teeth were showing through his smile, but he gave no other sign that he had noticed her unfortunate phrasing. “Let’s try Antonio’s then,” he said, “an unknown restaurant for a blind date. That seems appropriate to me.”

  Chapter Three

  Chris

  Chris began rethinking his opinion of Liv as he escorted Merci into Antonio’s. It wasn’t just him. Every single guy in the restaurant looked up from his table
to look at Merci. They couldn’t help themselves and neither could Chris. Her rich black hair, the swell of those mahogany breasts, the way her red dress tightened around her waist and thighs.

  Chris helped Merci into her chair and took the seat opposite before accepting the wine list from the waiter. “So how do you know Liv?” he asked.

  “We went to Radcliffe together,” Merci said, “and we’ve stayed friends ever since.”

  Chris ran his finger down the list looking for something that would impress Merci. He preferred Jack Daniels, himself, but there was nothing wrong with a good glass of red. He stopped his finger beside a $180 bottle of Bordeaux. He’d never spent that sort of money on wine before, but this seemed like a good occasion to start. “So how come I don’t know you?” Chris asked. “I’ve known Liv for years too—we’re not close friends but we know a lot of the same people.”

  Merci saw what he was doing with the wine list and shook her head. “Don’t waste your money,” she told him.

  Chris frowned but Merci hastened to explain herself before he could take offense. “Oh, I appreciate the gesture,” she said, “but it really isn’t worth it. Just get the house red.”

  Chris laid the menu on the table. “I’d really like to get you something special,” he said. “Why don’t we try a bottle? You like wine don’t you?”

  “I love wine,” Merci told him, “but I just can’t see spending that kind of money for something that will be gone in an hour. I’ll be just as happy with the house red.”

  “I tell you what,” Chris said, “why don’t we start with a bottle of Bordeaux and if we’re not impressed we can switch to the house red.”

  Chris’ suggestion seemed to make Merci uncomfortable. “You’re sure you don’t mind?”

  “How many times do you get to have a first date?” Chris asked her.

  Chris swirled the dark liquid about in his glass wondering what it would look like against Merci’s bare flesh. He lifted the glass to his mouth, remembered to stop and scent the bouquet, and then took a tiny sip. Fruity—like most wines he had tried. He couldn’t really believe that anyone could charge $180 for this.

  “Very nice,” he told the waiter, who promptly began to fill Merci’s glass. Wine really wasn’t Chris’ forte but that might actually be a help to him tonight. He didn’t want to get drunk again. Three years he’d held it together and he had no intention of slipping up tonight—not with the beauty sitting across the table from him. He definitely wanted to remember Merci.

  The waiter finished filling Chris’ own glass and left the table. Chris offered Merci a toast. “To blind dates,” he said, “I wish Liv had arranged for us to meet years ago.”

  Merci smiled. “To blind dates,” she repeated.

  They both drank, enjoying the slightly fruity taste and the pleasant warmth that rolled through their bodies after it.

  “Oh, that’s nice,” Merci said.

  “You really think so?” Chris asked.

  She met his eyes. “Yes, I do.”

  “I’m glad. I’m more of a whiskey drinker, but this is a nice change of pace.”

  “Is anything we’re doing tonight what you really like?” Merci asked.

  “Well I certainly enjoy having dinner with a beautiful woman,” Chris said.

  Merci shook her head. “I can’t figure you out. You’re not exactly a fake because you keep telling me the truth, but you’re not exactly yourself either.”

  She took another sip of her wine, and then asked: “Did you used to date Liv?”

  “Date?” Chris repeated. “No, I really can’t say we ever dated.” He decided a little more information might set Merci at ease. Most women didn’t like picking up their friends’ castoff boyfriends. “We know a lot of the same people and see each other at parties. Truth to tell, we’re really not close. In fact, it was only in the past twenty minutes or so that I’ve begun to wonder if Liv actually likes me.”

  For the first time this evening, Merci lost her smile and Chris realized he had put his foot in it again. “What about tonight makes you think Liv doesn’t like you?”

  Chris hurried to backpedal. “That came out sounding completely opposite to what I intended.” He hoped Merci would give him a chance to finish explaining himself. What was even more important, he hoped she would believe the explanation.

  “What I was trying to say is that tonight makes me think that Liv does like me! Before she set me up on this date with you, I thought that at best she merely tolerated me. We know a lot of the same people, but we really aren’t friends. I was very surprised when she suggested this date and even a little suspicious of her motives. But now I think I owe her an apology. I mean, look at you! You’re sweet, gorgeous, and so far at least a hell of lot of fun!”

  Merci relaxed as Chris explained himself, but she arched her eyebrow at this last statement. “So far?”

  Chris smacked himself in the forehead. “I just don’t know when to shut up, do I? I only meant to say that I’m really glad I’m here with you tonight.”

  Merci’s smile returned, full and natural, radically enhancing her already good looks. She reached out and touched Chris’ hand. “I’m glad I’m here tonight too.”

  Chapter Four

  Merci

  Merci watched Chris swell in stature as she held his hand across the table. She couldn’t quite figure him out. Certainly she could see signs of the cocky SOB Liv loved to complain about, but part of her thought he was just trying to be charming. It was all in how she decided to look at things. Was Chris trying to get her drunk or trying to impress her with an expensive bottle of wine? Was he leering at her body or genuinely captivated with her beauty? Merci knew that she was attractive, but Chris made her feel like she should compete in the Miss America pageant. And he was a prize himself—at least physically—every woman in this place had looked him over as they walked to their table.

  How did she get herself into these problems?

  Perhaps she should try and draw out the crass self-centered bastard that Liv wanted her to take down a peg. She didn’t think she could go through with Liv’s plan if she didn’t actively start to dislike Chris.

  “So when you dated, you and Liv never...” She let the words trail off suggestively.

  Chris took a sip of wine—buying himself time to think, Merci suspected. “We never really dated,” Chris said, “and as for hooking up, I’m not sure what you want me to say. I don’t want to make Liv out to be a liar by contradicting her.”

  “But you don’t know what she says about you,” Merci said.

  Chris shrugged. “True enough, but... what’s between her and me should stay that way.”

  Discretion? The man in Liv’s stories would be bragging about his conquests. Maybe the wrong man had shown up at Merci’s door tonight.

  She tried one more time. “You could simply deny it.”

  “Look, I never dated Liv. If you don’t want to leave it at that, why don’t you ask her about it? She’s your friend and you should be able to trust her more than me.”

  Well that was just strange. Why all the run around if they hadn’t slept together? And suggesting she could trust Liv? Well, maybe she could, but Merci wasn’t certain. Liv wasn’t likely to outright lie to you, but she had a way of honestly twisting the truth. She fully believed the things she told you, but her memory often disagreed with those of other witnesses. “That seems fair enough,” Merci conceded, deciding to drop the matter. “Let’s forget Liv for the rest of the night and just have some fun together.”

  “So let me get this straight,” Merci said as the meal wound toward its end. “You really like ballet?”

  “No, I didn’t say that,” Chris explained. “I really like you. What I said was that I’d be pleased to escort you to the ballet any time you’d like to go. It would be a small price to pay for the chance to spend another evening together.”

  “So you don’t like ballet?” Merci asked again.

  “I really don’t know. I haven’t seen o
ne since I was a child, but that first experience doesn’t give me much hope.”

  Merci found herself laughing again. She’d been doing a lot of that over dinner. Chris just wasn’t the person Liv had described to her and she’d been having a lot of fun.

  “Of course you might reward me for my selflessness,” Chris continued.

  Now this was what Merci had been expecting—a little blatant maneuvering to get into her panties. It had taken longer than Liv had thought it would, but maybe Chris had improved his game plan since he had moved in on Liv all those years ago. She decided to encourage him. “Oh yes?”

  “We could trade a ballet for an action flick.”

  Merci’s rising defenses plummeted again. “So this is two more dates we’re talking about?”

  “I have to be careful here,” Chris confided. “You see, your smile is really dangerous and if I don’t rein myself in I’ll be scaring us both by planning our next fifteen or twenty evenings together.”

  Merci fought down more laughter. “That does seem a bit presumptuous,” she agreed. “After all, we haven’t even finished our first date yet.”

  Chris checked his watch and his eyes widened in apparently genuine surprise. “I was going to say we haven’t finished our first hour yet, but we’re going on three.”

  Merci glanced at her own watch. Chris was right. It was almost ten o’clock. How had it gotten so late?

  “I knew I was having fun,” Chris continued, “but I guess I didn’t realize how much.”

  “I’ve had fun too,” Merci agreed. She was only mildly surprised now to find she was telling the truth. It would disappoint Liv, but Merci was not going forward with the plan. If Chris tried to come inside tonight when he took her home she would gently turn him away. Not only would it test his long term intentions, but it would strengthen their chance of discovering if they really wanted to go out again.