held his gaze, studying the look in his eyes. Taking a deep breath she drew her tongue across her lips as she closed her mouth and rested the fork back onto her plate.
âPrison?â
âWell, not really prison. It was actually county jail.â
âWhat was the charge?â
âAssault. It was some guy my ex-wife was sleeping with and I didnât take it well.â
âAnd thatâs the only thing youâve done time for?â
âIt was only eight months and when I got out, I got myself together. I stopped drinking and I havenât had any charges or committed any crimes since, nor do I plan to.â
Her expression suddenly went blank, her gaze shifting to some spot just past his shoulders. Malcolm could almost see her brain processing what sheâd just learned. A wave of anxiety rushed the length of his spine, his stomach starting to tighten into a knot. He felt himself holding onto the air in his lungs as he waited for her to respond.
âSo youâre a convicted felon?â
He shook his head. âNo. My crime was classified as a mid-level misdemeanor.â
There was another lengthy pause but this time she stared directly at him, their gazes locked tightly together.
Cilla finally nodded. âUnder any other circumstances, with any other man, this would probably be our one and only date,â she said matter-of-factly. âIâd be too scared to take this any further. Wondering what other dark secrets you might decide to spring on me when I least expect it.â She paused.
âBut?â
âBut, Iâm just overwhelmingly impressed by your honesty. And you donât frighten me. I actually like you.â
Malcom smiled, finally releasing that breath heâd been holding.
She picked up her fork and began eating again, her gaze still locked with his as she drew it to her mouth. She chewed slowly, then swallowed before speaking again. âI think the next time we go out we should go to Snoopyâs for hotdogs. Iâll even treat,â she said with a slight smile.
âItâs a date!â Malcolm answered.
âIt will be so donât you forget it,â Cilla replied.
Malcolm laughed. âI like you, too, Cilla Jameson. I really like you a lot.â
Cilla gave him a wink of her eye as she reached her fork into his plate and took a bite of his blackberry cobbler. Drawing it to her mouth she closed her eyes and purred softly, savoring the delicate flavors. When she opened them again, Malcolm was eyeing her intently, biting down against his bottom lip. Without her saying a word, he knew without any doubts that liking each other was just the tip of the iceberg of what they were both beginning to feel for each other.
Despite the late night hour, the evening ended too quickly. When they finally finished their meal neither was ready to part ways. Malcolm drove slowly back to the airport, and his own car, which was still parked in the airportâs daily parking lot. Pulling behind his vehicle he shifted her car into park and turned off the engine.
Exiting the driverâs side he sauntered around to the passenger side door and opened it. Cilla eased herself up and out, standing tall as she met his intense gaze.
âThank you,â he said, his deep voice dropping to a loud whisper.
Cilla smiled. âIâm the one who needs to be thanking you. I had a really great time tonight.â
He reached for her hand, entwining his fingers between hers. Her palm was soft and warm, the touch electric. He led her around the car to the driverâs side.
He was still holding tightly to her. âCall me when you get home, please, so I know you got there safely.â
âI will. Are you buying coffee in the morning?â she asked.
He grinned. âAre you meeting me?â
She nodded her head yes as she pressed her other hand to his chest, her finger tips burning hot through his dress shirt. She tilted her face upward, her
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