Chapter 25 #2
“Let’s get some carbs,” I said, breaking our gaze and turning the truck off.
I hurried out of the truck and looped around to help her down.
She took my hand and hopped out. We walked inside the door, chiming softly behind us as warm air and the scent of garlic, basil, and fresh-baked bread greeted us.
Overhead were exposed wooden beams with tiny white string lights woven around them.
Wine bottles lined the shelves built into the stone walls, and every table was dressed with a red tablecloth and a candle.
Soft Italian music floated through the air, and the hostess welcomed us with a smile. I pointed to the wine shelf as we passed, noting the many bottles from Vine Valley Vineyard.
“You chose well,” Sherry said as we took our seats and ordered our drinks.
“And I promise to give you my undivided attention. No distractions.”
“Oh, so no secret meet up in the bathroom with a known enemy?”
I winced. “Ouch. One hundred percent deserved, but ouch.”
“Truth hurts, but just so we’re clear, I’d rather hurt with honesty than be misled and hurt from lies.”
My lips parted with a million things to say, but the waitress came over with our drinks, placing them in front of us and pulling out her pad. “What can I get you two?”
Sherry ordered first, then I gave my order, handing the waitress our menus.
Sherry picked up her glass and took a sip, her tongue swiping across her bottom lip as she placed the glass down.
It took every ounce of strength not to lean across the table and kiss her. I wrapped my hands around the stem of my own glass and focused on the red liquid.
“Everything all right?” she asked, her eyes glittering with a mischievous glint.
I went to speak, but the words got stuck. I cleared my throat. “Fine,” I managed.
Her smile deepened. “You sure? You’re looking a little flushed.”
She leaned forward and rested her chin on her hand, her teeth sliding over her bottom lip, dragging my attention right to them. She knew what she was doing.
The undone buttons of her shirt didn’t reveal much until she leaned over the table. I had a clear view of those two perfect mounds and porcelain skin. The bright red lace of her bra was unmistakable. My gaze lingered for far too many beats.
I took another sip of wine, hoping to cool the heat rushing through me. It did nothing but stoke the fire. I tugged at my shirt collar. “It’s hot in here.”
She leaned back, pressing her chest out in the process, whether it was intentional or not, my dick didn’t care. It was about to hold my end of the tablecloth up.
“Must be the wine. Or the company.” She shrugged as if desire wasn’t slowly tearing me apart inside.
“You’re doing this on purpose.”
Her expression was anything but innocent. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She took a piece of bread from the basket and buttered it lightly. She brought her finger to her lips and sucked before popping the piece of bread in her mouth. “I’m just eating,” she said when she swallowed.
“You’re a tease.”
“And you love it.”
My Adam’s apple bobbed with the weight of my swallow, and met her eyes, reflecting the same desire I was battling.
“When I told you I missed you…” she started. “I meant all of you, including the man who finds any and every opportunity to bounce on a sexual innuendo. Who can’t seem to keep his hands off me.”
“You said you needed space.”
“I grew up in a house with six siblings. I’m not used to space.”
My fingers dug into my thigh, trying to ground myself and ignore the throbbing of my cock. “What does that mean?”
“It means I want you to kiss me, and if you don’t soon, I’m going to crawl across this table and do it myself.”
My breath rushed out of me. “Sher—”
“Ben,” she cut in, her tone wicked and filled with a desperation I could relate to.
“We’re in the middle of a restaurant.”
She took a quick survey of the restaurant. “It’s early, and we’re the only ones in here. No distractions.”
I was out of my chair before I knew what I was doing. She met me halfway, rising just enough for our mouths to meet across the table in a kiss that shattered every last one of my restraints. Her fingers curled around my collar, pulling me in deeper as I lost myself in her.
A soft cough broke the moment, and we slowly eased away from each other as the waitress came to a stop with a tray in hand.
“Perfect, I’m starving,” she said, as if she didn’t just suck my soul out of my mouth.
A few sounds muttered from my lips as the waitress told us to enjoy.
Sherry picked up her fork and smiled. “This looks delicious.”
I nodded, my ability to form sentences long since gone.
She tapped her phone and her smile grew wicked. “Char and Rose are going to drive my car home. Char has the spare. So, you can bring me straight home.”
My brain stopped short-circuiting. “Straight home?”
She pointed her fork at me. “Yes, and if you leave me hanging again, there will be no more chances.”
“I’ll never make that mistake again.”
Her light brown eyes darkened as she took a bite of pasta like she hadn’t just wrecked me. I had no idea how I was going to get through this meal without grabbing her, tossing some bills down on the table, and dragging her out of here.
But if she wanted to play games, I’d play. And I’d win.
I took a steady sip of my wine and smirked. “Better eat fast because the second this check is paid, I’m not wasting another minute.”
She tilted her head, that devilish smile curling upward. “If I’m not mistaken, that sounds like a promise.
I dragged my attention to her mouth, then back to her eyes. “A promise I intend to keep.”