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romantic dinners like this. If I seem uneasy, it’s because I don’t want to do anything to embarrass myself.”
    “You don’t have to be anything but you,” he said as he squeezed her hand. “Tell me about yourself. Your family. Your job. Something that makes you more comfortable.”
    He watched as she picked up her glass of wine and took a tentative sip before setting it back down.
    “All right. I grew up in America, but my family is originally from Iran. I have an older brother. My father passed away a few years ago. I work as a reporter in New York, and my magazine is mostly a male-dominated field. I usually report on finances and international news.”
    “Wow.” Adil frowned. “You managed to package up an entire life in five sentences. Usually people love to talk about themselves.”
    The waiter stopped and asked if they needed anything. Adil was about to say that they were fine, but Samine gave him a smile and jumped right in. His mouth nearly dropped open when she continued to have a conversation with the waiter for several minutes.
    “I didn’t realize that you spoke French,” he said slowly.
    “You never asked. Besides, I thought you wanted to impress me.”
    “I did. Apparently, I was not as impressive as I thought. Do you have any other surprises up your sleeve?”
    “I also speak Persian and Italian,” she said as she took a bite out of her roll. “I have a love for languages. And culture.”
    “You speak all those languages and yet the only places you’ve been are America and my country. I find that hard to believe,” he told her, as he picked up his wine and took a sip.
    “I made up for it by studying the world. What about you? You’ve been all over. What’s your favorite city?”
    Adil sat back and cocked his head as he thought. She wasn’t wrong. He had traveled the world, but he hadn’t really paid attention to anything. He focused on good food, good wine, and good women. Everything else was just window dressing. “I couldn’t even begin to pick one,” he said vaguely.
    Samine rolled her eyes and pulled away. “Because you were too busy with a woman under your arm to notice?”
    “That’s not fair,” he said sharply. “You’re basing your judgment of me on what you read on the gossip websites. I’m more than my reputation.”
    She looked contrite. “You’re right. Sorry.”
    Adil sighed. “Don’t be. The truth is that you’re not wrong. I didn’t really pay much attention to the culture. And I’m sorry that I snapped at you. I wanted tonight to be special.”
    “Why? Adil, you barely know me. I get the feeling that you don’t usually have to put in this much effort to seduce women. So why me?”
    “I like you,” he admitted softly. “You’re brilliant and passionate and beautiful. Why wouldn’t I want to put in the effort to get to know you more?”
    She gazed at him over the candlelight. “Are we doing anything else after dinner?” she asked huskily.
    “I was thinking a private tour on the river,” he replied, as he leaned forward. “Why do you ask?”
    “Because I think we’re finished here.”
    He tensed at her words. “Anxious to get the evening over with, Samine?”
    “Anxious to be somewhere more private,” she said with a smile. “If that’s all right with you.”
    A grin spread across his face. “It’s more than all right with me.” He hastily signaled to the waiter and paid for the meal. Placing a hand on the small of her back, he guided her out of the restaurant and down the street. “We could skip the river tour and return to the hotel.”
    “I don’t think so. Now that I’ve had a taste of what it’s like to be wooed, I want the whole package,” she said as she lifted her head to him. He couldn’t help himself. Bending down, he brushed his lips across hers.
    Her lips parted, and she inhaled sharply. “What was that for?” she whispered.
    “Just a taste. You look so sweet,” he murmured as he bent down for more. She ducked