Sara looked at Mitch over the rim of her glass after taking a sip. Setting it down, she spoke candidly, “Mitch, I’m sorry for the way I acted just a little while ago. I wish I wasn’t so unsure of myself. You told me I should be truthful with you, so I will.”

She took a breath as she folded her fingers together on the table. “The truth is, I really like you. And I really don’t want to do something to scare you off. That’s why I didn’t want you to think you had to do all of this,” she said, motioning with her hands at the ambiance of the restaurant. “But,” she said before he could protest, “I think I could get used to you spoiling me a little.”

“Well, I am very glad to hear that. I think I will enjoy spoiling you, as well. Now, what are the odds I can get you to take off those panties?”

“Ahem, sorry, sir. Your, ah, salads.”

Mitch and Sara waited quietly as the waiter set their salad plates down in front of them. When the red-faced waiter left them, they both burst out into laughter.

Trying to regain her composure, Sara reached for her wine glass and eyed him with disbelief. “You are going to have to do something about your predilection toward me having a naked bottom.”

With complete disobedience in his eyes and a hint of mockery in his tone, he said, “You know, I think you’re right. When we leave here, let’s go pick up some lighter fluid and have ourselves a little panty barbeque on your patio.”

She laughed for a moment before she asked, “How did you know I had a barbeque?”

Shit! There was no way he could tell her yet. She would retreat and run. Trying to play it casual, he said, “I just figured. Does that mean we get to do it?” He waggled his brows at her.

“Hardly. But if you keep making me laugh like this, I might have to reward you later. I swear, I haven’t had this much fun in such a long time.”

They ate their salads over small talk. Sharing a few laughs over some of the people at the office., causing them both to be equally surprised to find that when it came to their co-workers, their opinions were identical. Amazingly, they had a lot in common.

Mitch wasn’t surprised at how compatible they seemed. When he watched her in her window just a couple of nights ago, he knew there was something about her. Something other than the fact that she looked absolutely magnificent as she touched herself in the moonlight.

The waiter took their salad plates away, and Mitch took a swig of wine before refilling both of their glasses. “Feel like playing a game?”

She smirked. “I am not going to take off my panties, and that is final. Wait until we get home.”

He wanted to laugh at her comment. But something about the way she said ‘until we get home’ caused a small flutter in his stomach. Could he actually really be falling for her? They haven’t even been dating for a week yet. He tried to ignore the sensation. “You’ve heard of word association games, right?”

Sipping her wine, she nodded.

“Well, it can be kind of interesting sometimes. Do you want to try?”

“Sure, why not?”

“Good. I’ll start. But remember, you have to say the first word that comes into your mind. So, I’ll start with, ah,” Mitch looked around the room for inspiration and saw it, “Leprechaun.”

Sara glanced around the restaurant until she saw a sweet little man with red hair. The only thing missing on him was a green suit, she laughed. “Okay, St. Patrick.”

“Beer.”

“Pub.”

“Fish and chips.”

“That’s three words,” Sara chided him.

He shrugged. “Hey, you got away with St. Patrick. That’s two words.”

“Fine. Cheater.”

“I’m not a cheater!” He laughed.

“No, my word is cheater.”

“Oh, okay. Um, never.”

She eyed him, as though thinking of what to say next. “Land.”

“Land? What does – oh, I get it. From Peter Pan, Never Land. Okay, um, airplane.”

“Flying.” She smiled while sipping her wine.

“Climax.” Mitch watched as her face reddened.

Obviously not willing to back down, Sara responded quickly,  “Euphoria.”

“Ecstasy.”

“Happiness.”

 “You.” He whispered the word with a gleam in his eye.