King's Passion by Adrianne Byrd

spots, but still part of the city’s nightlife and a secret jewel for the locals.
    â€œThis looks interesting,” Victoria said, glancing around.
    Eamon chuckled as he turned off the radio. “It’s a little late to be worried about whether I’ve kidnapped you, isn’t it?”
    â€œIt’s never too late to worry about that,” she said.
    The valet opened their doors and Eamon waited patiently with a smile as she walked around the car and joined him before entering the low-lit restaurant.
    â€œAh, Eamon,” Benito Boi, the restaurant manager,boasted the moment they walked into the door. “I just heard that you would be joining us tonight. Benvenuti!”
    They shook hands but like always Benito pumped with a lot of gusto for a man nearing his seventies.
    â€œAh. Now, who is this bella?” Benito’s attention shifted to Eamon’s date.
    â€œThis is the lovely Victoria Gregory. She has taken pity on me this evening and has agreed to be my date.”
    Victoria hiked up on her pencil-thin brows up at him.
    â€œAh. It’s about time,” Benito said. “It’s no good for a man to eat alone, but—” Benito’s gaze swept over Victoria’s frame “—I’m afraid that you’ve chosen a woman that is considerably above your station, amico mio. You’ll have to be on your best behavior.”
    Victoria’s full lips stretched while her eyes danced. “You heard the man, Eamon. ”
    It was the first time that she had said his name and he had to admit that he liked the way her voice hugged each vowel. There was something incredibly sexy about it.
    Benito grabbed two menus and then escorted them toward the back of the restaurant.
    Â 
    Victoria sucked in several deep breaths as she followed Benito. It seemed to her that the restaurant grew darker the farther they walked. Where were they going to have dinner, in a crypt?
    â€œHere we are,” Benito said, opening the door. “A nice secluded spot so you and your lovely friend can get to know each other.”
    Victoria stepped into the small room to the beautiful table with crystal, silverware and flickering candle light. “Out of the fire and into the frying pan,” she mumbled under her breath.
    â€œWhat was that?” Eamon asked.
    She turned toward his honest face and sly smile and knew that he had heard exactly what she had said. “Nothing.”
    Eamon winked and then went to pull out her chair.
    Her only option was to play along. She took her seat and pretended not to notice how Eamon’s hand drifted along the back of her shoulders after he’d helped push up her seat.
    When Eamon settled into his own chair, Benito showcased their bottle of Barbaresco to him and then quickly and masterfully worked open the cork with a soft pop!
    Victoria watched as Benito splashed some wine into Eamon’s glass and waited while Eamon swirled the red vino around in his glass before smelling it and tasting it.
    â€œBenissimo.”
    Benito smiled and then proceeded to fill their large wineglasses a quarter of the way. “I’ll be back with your fresh bread,” he announced and then rushed out of the small room.
    Victoria settled back in her seat and then languidly crossed her firm thighs. “Looks like it’s my turn to be impressed.”
    Eamon corked one of his immaculately groomed brows. “Why? Just because I own a gentlemen’s club you thought that I didn’t have any home training?”
    She paused for a moment, but then answered honestly. “Guilty.” She almost sighed when his rich laughter rumbled around her.
    â€œYou know, I’m going to change my earlier assessment. You actually have many ways of keeping a brother in check. Slick, sly and direct. You’re a regular heavyweight champion.”
    â€œIn today’s world, a woman has to be on her toes whendealing with the opposite sex. But even a seasoned