Descent (Black Heart Romance presents Heaven & Hell)

where Calvin is already seated and looking at his phone with one hand wrapped around a glass of
amber liquid. He looks up when he registers movement coming toward him. His gaze lands on me and
he smiles, looking me over briefly before meeting my gaze.
He looks genuinely happy to see me.
He also immediately puts his phone away so he can give me his undivided attention.
I smile back.
It might be simple politeness, especially since we have a frosty hostess for an audience. But it
might also be because it’s so drastically different from dates like the one I went on with Lance where
the guy can hardly be bothered to ask a question about me.
his.
“Hello, sweetheart,” Calvin says standing, and leaning in to kiss me. “How was your day?”
My insides feel warmer than they should. “Good,” I answer as I slide into the seat across from
The hostess passes us each a menu, then walks away to retrieve a pitcher of water. There are
two empty goblets on the table. She fills them, then tells us our server’s name is Celeste and she will
be over with our appetizer in just a moment.
I don’t know if the “hello sweetheart” was also because we had an audience or he really meant
it, but I feel a bit bashful, like I really am on a date. I don’t know what to do or say, and I don’t know
why I feel so awkward.
“How was your day?” I ask, since he asked how mine was.
“Fine. I wasn’t as productive as I meant to be.”
“No? Neither was I.”
His lips quirk. “Oh, I’d say you were pretty productive.” His gaze warms and hints at mischief.
“It’s your fault I didn’t get much done.”
“Was I running through your mind all day?” I joke.
“Yes,” he says, not joking.
“Oh.” I look down, adjusting the napkin on my lap. Looking back up, I ignore the blush I can feel
starting on my cheeks. “Is it because I sent you racy pictures?”
“That’s why I didn’t get anything done,” he says, amused. “I’m glad you liked the shoes. I’ll take
thank yous like that as often as you want to send them.”
“I love the shoes,” I say, leaning back so I can look at them under the table. Still pretty. I smile
faintly at them, then look back at Calvin and my smile ebbs. “I didn’t send them as a thank you,
though.”
“No?” he returns as a matter of routine, but I can tell by the look on his face he already knows