“It really has made their marriage stronger.” She glanced at Michael. She had to have faith that she and Michael were on that same road. The contentment she felt inside right now had to be a good indicator. She had to trust in that.
“I’m certain that will be us very soon,” Michael said. “We’re finally on the golden path to sexual fulfillment, which, according to the Strattons, means everything will eventually fall into place.”
Piper snorted. “Um, golden path sounds like we’re going to end with a golden shower. Please don’t tell me you’re heading to a place where urinating in public is acceptable.”
“Does such a place exist?” Michael arched an eyebrow as he turned onto a parking ramp. “If you know the address, please share.”
“I know you’re kidding, but still.” Piper sat up in her seat as she looked around the parking garage Michael had just pulled into. “No way. You scored reservations at Le Repas?” She turned to her husband. “Who did you have to bribe to get them?”
Michael chuckled. “How do you know it’s Le Repas? This building holds many restaurants.”
“Yeah, right. We’re so not going to Buffalo Bob’s or whatever chains they have on the first floor. And I don’t believe you thought this up months ago, so if you didn’t bribe someone, you paid them. I just hope you didn’t throw in any sexual favors from your wife—but, hell, even if you did, I wouldn’t care! I’ve been dying to check this place out. The view is supposed to be spectacular, and there’s a six-month wait list. I know, because I’ve checked multiple times.”
The restaurant was located on the top floor of a building downtown, and anytime something new and great came to Madison, it was a feeding frenzy.
“I’m glad to see you’re so excited. And I didn’t exactly bribe anyone. I just swapped the reservations in exchange for a weekend of work.”
“That’s very noble of you to put my needs before yours,” Piper quipped as Michael pulled into a parking spot. “The sign of a true gentleman.”
“Stay right there,” Michael ordered as he got out of the car. He slammed his door and walked around to open hers.
She took his hand as she stepped out. “You’re being so…classy tonight. I’m not sure how to act. I’m assuming this night doesn’t end with a double strap-on.” She chuckled. “That’s a little low-rent for this place.”
“The strap-on wasn’t low-rent at all.” He kissed her cheek as he wrapped her hand around his elbow. They headed to the elevators. “That was plain hot sex, no rent involved.”
“Yeah, but I felt dirty walking out of the hotel with all our goods stuffed in a duffle bag.” Piper closed both hands around his upper arm and leaned into him. “But I agree, it was great sex. I can’t imagine what you have up your sleeve tonight. I’m assuming we’re not doing it over the petite filet.”
“The petite filet sounds interesting, but no. Not likely. I have some ideas, but I want to see where the night takes us first.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Michael opened the door for her, and they took the garage elevator down to the lobby, then had to walk to another bank of elevators to go up.
They entered the next elevator alone, and once the doors closed, Michael surprised her by pushing her up against the wall and placing his hands on either side of her head.
Before she knew it, he was kissing her.
Really kissing her.
His tongue delved into her warmth, urging her response, which she gave immediately. Her hands threaded across his shoulders as she tilted her head, savoring the kiss, meeting his tongue, and lapping at it. She made a small noise in the back of her throat.
When Michael pulled back, she was dazed.
He placed his forehead against hers, grinning. “That was just a preview of what’s to come,” he whispered as the elevator pinged. He stepped back as the door opened, gesturing with a sweep of his arm. “Ladies first.”
She glanced at him as she walked out. “Who are you?”
17
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The restaurant exceeded Michael’s expectations. It was upscale, classy, and the ambience was excellent. Leave it to one of the partners to have wrangled a secluded table right by the window. The city was lit up below them. Madison wasn’t a huge town, but it still looked pretty at night.
“So, crème brûlée for dessert, then?” Piper teased as they both eyed the menu. “Wow, some of the stuff on here is so decadent. I’m not sure Madison is ready for lapin à la moutarde. I wonder if braised rabbit tastes just like chicken.”
“I’m sure it tastes a little woodier,” he said. “Why don’t you try it and find out?” Michael peered over his menu at her. “I think Thumper needs to be sampled.”
“No Thumper for me. I’m sold on the coquilles Saint Jacques to start and the blanquette de veau for my meal.” Piper closed her menu. “I’ve always wanted to try the famous French scallops, and you can’t go wrong with a good ragout.”
“I think I’ll do the pan-seared foie gras and the hachis Parmentier. I’d like to see how the French do shepherd’s pie.”
“I’m sure it tastes like heaven, served with dainty vegetables and topped with perfectly browned mashed potatoes.”
The waiter came up to the table. “Hello, madam”—he nodded—“sir. May I start you off with a beverage this evening?”
Piper began, but Michael cut her off. “We’ll take a bottle of the Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin.”
“Of course, we have two available years to choose from, 2003 and 2010.”
“We’ll try the 2003.”
Piper looked surprised, but happy. Michael liked seeing his wife happy.
The waiter left, and Piper picked up her water. “That was some fancy ordering, Mikey. Did you do a little research on the wine list before we came?”
“Not really.” He chuckled. “I just asked Don which he liked best, and he was emphatic about this particular champagne.”
“I figured. We know Don knows his way around a restaurant, and I love champagne.” Don Brady was the firm’s newest partner. He’d joined the company two years ago after heavy recruiting. He and his partner, Jerry, lived a few miles from Piper and Michael, and the Collinses had been invited over for dinner at their home several times. Don was a great cook and a wine connoisseur. “I’m sure it’ll be delicious. If you owe Don a weekend of work, I should invite Jerry out to the movies or something. He hates it when he’s left alone for the weekend when Don is working on a case.”
“That would be fine with me. But if you go, don’t mention that we took his reservation for tonight’s romantic evening. Don mentioned something about it being their anniversary, but he didn’t get technical.”
Piper covered her mouth. “You did not swindle Jerry’s anniversary dinner out from under him! If he finds out, he’ll be devastated.”
“So let’s make sure he doesn’t find out.” Michael grinned. Piper began to reply, but he cut her off, “Hey, Don didn’t have to give this up. He could’ve easily said no. But just so you feel better, he did say he’s booked a night here every other month for an entire year.”
“That bugger,” Piper gasped. “It’s people like him who screw it up for the rest of us non-self-starters. Though I wouldn’t want to book it that far in advance, because we have no idea what we’re doing next weekend, not to mention in six months.”
The waiter arrived with a fancy silver ice bucket on a stand and set it next to their table. He placed two champagne glasses on the table next, then plucked the cloth-wrapped champagne bottle out of the ice and uncorked it with a flourish. A bunch of steamy condensation flowed out.