Connor pulled out the chair for me, and I sat down.

"Thank you." The way his eyes kept returning to me sent a tingle down my spine and heat through my veins. Seeing him in that dark suit with the white shirt contrasting so strikingly with his tanned skin did indecent things to me.

Jessie appeared in her fancy waiter-at-a-party uniform that Mother made her wear when she catered an event and brought out our entrees.

"Stuffed mushrooms with a—" I didn't even hear the rest of what she said as my eyes met with Connor's.

The room looked so rustic, yet the fancy silverware, pristine white tablecloths, expensive China, candles, and flowers turned it into the perfect romantic setting.

"I'm sorry, this is the best we could do," I said when we were alone, and he smirked.

"It's perfect," his voice sounded like melted chocolate over ice cream, and I got lost in his eyes.

I took a tiny bite of the mushrooms, not because I was hungry but to be polite, and it shocked me right out of my stupor.

"Oh, my word," I said, focusing my attention on the food. Connor frowned, not sure what I meant, and he stole the rest of my mushroom with his fork.

"This is amazing."

"I'll compliment the chef," Jessie said, bringing out little shrimp cocktails.

We've all been preparing things at intervals, but mostly comfort food, easy-to-make stuff, since none of us were really in the mood to eat, but this was the first time Shannon cooked for us.

"Just so you know, I can't cook like this," I said, and he laughed.

"Where are you at? Burning water or a reasonably rubbery egg?" he teased as I finished the two other mushrooms and took a bite of the shrimp.

"Wow," I sighed. "I thought myself capable of a reasonably restaurant-worthy three-star meal, but after this... I am never cooking again," I said, my attention divided between the best food I had ever tasted and the man who watched me eat with a smirk.

"I'm so glad you aren't one of those birdy eaters," he said.

"I can murder a bowl of those mushrooms and this," I said, sadly finishing the shrimp.

"The serving sizes are small because mom made you a full twelve-course meal, and you would want to make it to the desert because Taylor created a decadent triple chocolate mousse, and Ashley's busy putting the finishing touches on a flambe."

"They cook?" Connor asked, a little surprised.

"We all do, even Joshua, and that man can bake. Have you not been doing your research before joining the Collins family tribe?" Jessie teased, delivering baked hake fille, it's tantalizing scent making my mouth water. She drizzled fresh lemon over the tender fish and added fresh parsley from a tiny bowl.

"Apparently not enough," he admitted.

"It seems my future wife has some catching up to do," he said, mirth in his eyes.

"Perhaps," I said with a raised brow as I pretended to focus on my plate.

"I better be getting a decent tip," Jessie said, laughing and walking off.

"I hope they'll be catering at our wedding," he said, and the words "our wedding" stole my breath.

"They have everything covered and handled, although they intend to consult Margaret."

"So, you talked about it?" He seemed so pleased.

"Yes."

He took my hand in his and our fingers entwined.

"I asked Mom about the engagement ring, and she said it would find its way to me at the right time," he said with a frown tugging at his brow.

I smiled, and diving into my tiny purse, I pulled out the box and showed it to him, but when he wanted to take it from me, I smirked and put it back.

"When the time is right," I said, and he nodded, retaking my hand.

"No one has ever made an impression on my mother like you did," he said, toying with my fingers as Jessie removed the plates and brought our flame-grilled steaks with a tiny salad and medium baked potato smothered in fresh parsley, garlic, and sour cream.

"Fish and garlic breath. Mother is making sure there will be no kissing," I laughed.

"But we won't notice, will we?" he said, his eyes speaking of things that thrilled me and made me a little uneasy.

"You are blushing," he teased, which made me flush even harder.

"How can you tell under all this makeup?" I said with a smirk.

"The tips of your ears are red."

"You get modesty with a virgin bride, and those looks you've been giving her could melt steel," Jessie said, adding wine glasses and filling them with just enough liquid for us to taste.

"This is gorgeous," I said, trying to get away from the topic of conversation.

"Yes," Connor agreed, and Jessie filled our glasses, leaving the bottle. I loved that our tastes were so similar. "And I am very aware that you are innocent. If anything is ever going too far or too fast, just speak up. I want nothing to ruin what we have."

"I will." If anything, it only made me love him more, if that was possible. How did I fall so hard so fast? It scared me a little that I already couldn't picture my life without him.

"Something just disturbed you," he said, and I shrugged.

"Avery?" I glanced at him.

"It scares me how much I love you." His pupils dilated, and our hands found each other instinctively.

"I am scared too, but we were meant to be together. You are the first woman I could picture myself growing old with. I have always been looking for you in all the wrong places."

I half expected Jessie to interrupt, but it was just him and me. It didn't even bother me that there were eavesdroppers in the kitchen.

"I'm glad I didn't find anyone that got past my defenses, and I am happy I waited for you."

"It is a gift I will always cherish." The tension between us was so thick I could scarcely breathe.

"Is it bad that I really want to finish this divine steak before it gets cold?" he asked, and I laughed, breaking the magnetic attraction between us.

"No, because I want the same thing," I said, chuckling but not entirely meaning it.

"A woman after my own heart."

We knew that if we were truly alone, keeping away from each other would be a test of faith and perseverance.

"We might visit your mother a lot since burned water tastes awful," he said, tongue in cheek, and I pretended to glare at him.

This felt so right and perfect, yet deep down, it seemed too good to be true. I pushed the idea away. The liar was trying to steal my joy, and I would not allow it.