15. Sophie
Iwalk into the dimly lit restaurant Se’bon in the Cherry Creek neighborhood of Denver.
Xander wanted to pick me up for dinner, but I was running late getting ready at Dakota’s so I told him I’d just meet him at the restaurant.
I’m careful as I step up to the stand where the ma?tre d is. I’m wearing four-inch heels and I don’t want to trip and fall on my face. I tell him who I’m meeting and he smiles before taking my coat and then leading me to the dining area of the restaurant.
As we walk, I take in the spacious rectangular dining space with an open kitchen in the middle. It’s like an island of stainless steel with all the shiny appliances and surfaces. A dozen people in white jackets move around in the space, prepping, slicing, plating, and cooking.
The ma?tre d stops at a table in the middle, where I see Xander sitting, looking at a menu.
I almost gasp at the sight of him in that dark suit jacket and crisp white dress shirt.
Holy crap, he’s handsome when he dresses up.
I bite my lip. I’ve only ever seen him in hockey gear and casual clothes, and of course he looks hot in those too. But when he’s all dressed up, Xander is dangerously sexy.
“Mr. Williams, your lovely date has arrived,” the ma?tre d says.
Xander looks up and his jaw lands on the floor. The ma?tre d chuckles.
I quietly squeal at his reaction. I grip my clutch in my hands, grateful that I’m holding something, otherwise I’d be awkwardly fidgeting.
Dakota was right. This figure-hugging red dress was a slam dunk. We wear the same size, so this is one of her dresses that I’m borrowing. My boobs and butt are a little bigger than hers though, so it’s tighter on me. I was worried about how it fit when I tried it on, but Dakota assured me it was perfect.
And judging by the way Xander’s mouth is hanging open, she was right.
He quickly closes his mouth and lets out an embarrassed laugh as he stands up and tells the ma?tre d thank you before stepping over to me.
He rests a hand on my hip and pulls me close. “Good god, Sophie.”
Even in the low lighting of this restaurant, I can spot the fiery flash in his eyes as he rakes his gaze along the length of me.
The corner of his mouth quirks up. “You’re going to give me a heart attack in that dress.”
“Worth it though, right?” I grin.
“No question.” He leans his mouth to my ear. “Cheek kiss okay?”
I nod slightly and he presses his mouth to my cheek. A million goosebumps fly across my skin. But then he surprises me by dusting his lips along the hinge of my jaw and inhaling.
“You smell incredible,” he whispers.
His hot breath scatters across my neck. I close my eyes and try to stay upright as my entire body shivers. I didn’t know Xander breathing on me could be so sexy.
I clear my throat and open my eyes right as he leans back.
“Rose perfume,” I say. “Thought it would be perfect.”
A sexy smile tugs at his lips. “It’s intoxicating.”
He pulls out my chair for me to sit down, then goes back to his chair across from me.
I notice his gaze dips to my cleavage, which is on display due to the deep v-neckline of this cocktail dress. I can’t help but chuckle.
His stubbled cheeks turn red when he realizes he’s been caught. He flashes an embarrassed smile.
“Sorry for staring, but your boobs look amazing.”
I grin. “It’s okay. I wanted you to look. That’s why I wore such a low-cut dress.”
He sips his drink, the corner of his mouth quirked up.
“You look insanely handsome by the way.”
He flashes a smug grin and straightens up in his chair. “I clean up pretty well, don’t I?”
I laugh and nod. Just then the server stops by and asks for my drink order, but I tell him I’m fine with just water for now.
“What are you drinking?” I ask Xander.
“Rye whiskey.”
“Is it good?”
He nods, taking another long sip. “They have a fantastic whiskey selection here. It’s one of the reasons I come. That and the food.”
I wrinkle my nose. “I tried whiskey once. I hated it. Couldn’t even swallow the shot I took.”
A teasing smile plays on his lips. “Well, that was your first mistake. You should have sipped it.”
“I had no idea. I don’t know if I’ll ever get the hang of drinking alcohol.”
“You shouldn’t drink if you don’t enjoy it.” Xander leans in slightly. “But there’s a way to learn how to drink it where you can savor the flavor without the burn of the alcohol.”
I stare at him, mesmerized by the way the corner of his mouth quirks up and how his eyebrow lifts slightly. Like he’s telling me a secret.
“If you ever want to learn, I’d be happy to teach you,” he rasps.
Just then the server drops by again and tells us the specials.
“Tonight Chef Grant has prepared a delicious five-course tasting menu. It’s excellent.”
He mentions a scallop appetizer, beet salad, lamb chops, roasted root vegetables, risotto, and a croissant bread pudding.
My mouth is watering. I look at Xander. “That sounds amazing.”
He grins at me and turns to the server. “We’ll do the tasting menu.”
The server leaves and I glance around the space. “I’ve never been here before.”
It’s sleek, simple, and modern with black marble flooring along with dark walnut furnishings.
“What a beautiful restaurant,” I muse as I glance around. Every table is full. “You were able to get a table here on Valentine’s Day? A place this nice, I’d think they’d be booked with reservations for weeks.”
“They are. But I had a hook-up. Maya’s dad owns this place and her older brother is the chef.”
“Wow. Look at you, Mr. I’m Friends With All the Cool People.”
He laughs. I sip my water and watch the chefs in white coats as they cook in the kitchen. My gaze catches on the handsome chef carefully plating a meal.
“He looks familiar,” I say to Xander.
He turns to look. “Oh yeah, that’s Gage. Maya’s brother.”
“Wow. Did their entire family get all the good-looking genes? He’s as gorgeous as she is.”
Xander laughs. “Pretty much. You should see their older brother,” he jokes. “Actually…”
Xander looks over to the far end of the restaurant and waves at a tall, handsome server talking to a table in the corner. The guy grins at Xander.
“That’s Tyler, Gage’s brother,” Xander says.
I gawk at Tyler. “Okay yeah, they’re officially the best-looking family on the planet.”
Xander laughs. I glance over at the kitchen and watch as Gage wipes the rim of a plate with a tea towel. Just then a lightbulb goes off in my head.
I gasp. “Oh my gosh…Gage Grant…I know him! From TikTok!” I try to keep my voice down so I don’t sound like a weirdo. “He’s that guy who makes all those sexy food videos.”
Xander laughs again. “That’s him.”
“I watch his TikToks all the time.”
Gage is known for his suggestive captions and the fact that he’s often shirtless in his videos.
I stare at Xander, my mouth open in shock. “You know him? Like, you’re friends with him too?”
“Yeah, he’s a cool dude. I went to his bachelor party. He and Theo had a joint celebration since their weddings were so close together.”
I look over at Tyler as he pours a glass of wine at another table. “And Tyler is The Sandwich Guy! On Instagram! I love him. I’ve made a bunch of his sandwich recipes.” I’m careful to keep my voice down. I don’t want to sound like an insane fangirl.
Our server drops by with the first course: a roasted scallop in a cauliflower gruyere soup.
When I take the first bite, I moan.
“Oh my god, that’s incredible.”
Xander hums. “Damn. It really is.”
I finish it in just a few bites. I push aside my empty plate. “If this wasn’t such a nice restaurant, I’d be licking that plate. That soup is otherworldly.”
Xander laughs. When the server comes by, he asks for another whiskey rye, on the rocks this time.
“So is this your typical spot to wine and dine the ladies?” I tease.
A soft smile tugs at Xander’s lips. “No. I’ve taken my mom here a couple of times though.”
I pause mid-sip at how sweet it is that Xander brings his mom to dinner here. And I feel special that he’s brought me too.
But then I remind myself that this is a fake relationship. Xander is only doing this because he agreed to take me on one public date a week so that he can sweeten up his public image.
This date doesn’t mean anything more than that.
I feel myself start to deflate, but then I catch myself. I can’t let myself read too much into this. I need to just focus on the moment and have a good time.
When the next course arrives, the beet salad with goat cheese and hazelnuts, I moan through each bite. Same thing happens with risotto.
“That’s the creamiest risotto I’ve ever had,” I murmur as I finish my last bite.
Xander hums in agreement as he wipes his mouth with his napkin.
When I look up, I see Gage walking to our table carrying a plate in each hand. My eyes go wide with shock, but then I rein in my expression and try to look normal.
Try not to act like a total freak in front of the TikTok hottie, Sophie.
He smiles at me and sets a plate of lamb chops and roasted root veggies in front of me, then sets the other plate in front of Xander.
“Xander. Good to see you, man.”
Xander grins up at him and shakes his hand. “You too, dude. Thanks again for fitting us in tonight.”
Gage nods. “Of course. I’m always pumped when you can stop by. It’s great for business too, having the star of the Bashers eat at my restaurant. Don’t tell my brother-in-law Theo I called you the star though. He’ll get pissed.”
They both laugh. I glance around and notice a few people staring at Xander. They must recognize him.
“You’ve outdone yourself, man,” Xander says. “This food is incredible.”
Gage smiles wider. I notice he and his sister Maya have the same beautiful mahogany brown eyes.
“I’m so glad you’re enjoying it,” Gage says.
“This is my girlfriend, Sophie,” Xander says. Gage shakes my hand.
“This is the best meal I’ve ever had,” I say, proud of how cool and calm I sound.
“I’m thrilled to hear that,” he says through a charming grin.
“And, um, I hope it’s okay to say this, but I’m a huge fan of your TikTok. You’re so talented.”
Gage lets out a shy laugh. “That’s kind of you to say, thank you.” He gestures to our plates. “Lamb chops with roasted root vegetables is my specialty. I cooked this for my wife Becca when we were just friends. It wasn’t long after this meal that we started dating.”
He looks between Xander and me. Xander shakes his head and smiles.
“Please enjoy.”
We thank him again before he walks off. I slice into the tender meat that’s cooked to a perfect medium rare and take a bite. My eyes roll to the back of my head.
“Whoa…” The meat is juicy, fatty, rich, and perfectly seasoned. “Okay, I can definitely see why his wife wanted to be more than friends after he cooked this for her. I’d marry Gage too if he made food like this every day.”
“I would too,” Xander says around a mouthful. I giggle.
We finish the main course and dessert, chatting and laughing. The entire time, I feel so relaxed, so at ease with Xander.
The server comes to take our empty dessert plates and refill our water glasses.
“You’re the perfect date, you know that?”
His brow lifts and an intrigued smile plays across his lips. “You think so?”
“Yeah. You’re attentive and thoughtful. You went out of your way to make sure I was comfortable and taken care of. You even let me eat most of your dessert.”
His smile turns warm, like he’s heartened at what I’ve said. “You said croissants were your favorite. It’s only right that you get first dibs on them.” He pats his stomach. “Besides, I gotta watch what I eat. I’ve got a physique to maintain.”
I giggle, then smile at him. “I’m serious. Thank you for a perfect night.”
His smile turns warm. “You don’t have to thank me, Sophie. It’s my pleasure.”
“It’s just…I’m not used to this.”
Tenderness flashes in his eyes as he looks at me.
“I’m not used to nice dates like this, I mean.” I fiddle with the napkin in my lap. “My dad’s taken me out to dinner at nice places, which I love.”
There’s an ache in my chest when I think about the rift between us, how we stopped texting and talking as much ever since Xander and I started this fake relationship.
I push aside the thought. I don’t want to bring down the mood by mentioning my dad.
My gaze locks with Xanders. “No guy has doted on me like this before. Except you.”
There’s a flash of intensity in his eyes. “You deserve to be spoiled, Sophie.”
The server drops off the bill and he swipes it up right away.
“Xander, you don’t have to pay all of that. I’m happy to?—”
His gaze cuts to me, his hazel eyes fiery. “Don’t even try it, gorgeous. I’m taking care of this.”
I bite my lip at the soft growl of his demand. Xander is kind of hot when he’s bossy.
Just then a filthy image appears in my brain…of Xander hovering over me while I’m lying down in my bed.
I’m holding my favorite vibrator in my hand and he’s watching me get myself off. And then he gently pushes my hand away and pulls me between his legs.
“Hold on to the headboard, gorgeous. It’s my turn now,” he says in that same low, bossy growl.
Heat flashes across my skin and I swallow back a moan.
Just then the server comes by and collects Xander’s credit card. I clear my throat, embarrassed that I let my brain take things in such a filthy direction. It’s probably all the romantic vibes from this date. I’m getting carried away.
I set aside that dirty thought for later.
The server returns after running Xander’s credit card and we thank him.
I start to stand up, but Xander tells me to hold on. He gets up and helps me out of my chair. He gently grabs my hand and we walk out of the dining area together. I notice a few people watching us as we leave.
I notice a woman at a nearby table eyeing him. She looks at me, starts to smile, and mouths, “So lucky.”
I smile and nod my head.
The ma?tre d brings us our coats. Xander helps me with mine before he puts on his own. Together we head outside into the chilly evening. We stand off to the side of the restaurant entrance so we’re not in the way.
He smiles at me. “Thanks for having dinner with me.”
“Thank you. That was amazing.”
We stand there for a second, smiling at each other and not saying anything. Butterflies are fluttering around in my stomach. This technically was my first proper date ever and it was perfect. All because of Xander.
“Let me walk you to your car…” Xander trails off as he frowns at something just over my shoulder.
I turn around, but I don’t see anything. Just people walking along the sidewalks of this neighborhood.
“What’s wrong?” I ask when I turn back to him.
He sighs. “There’s a photographer at the end of this block. I’ve seen him around before. He’s taken photos of me and my teammates when we’ve been out.”
“Oh…” I forget sometimes just how well-known Xander is. If you didn’t pay attention to hockey, you wouldn’t know him. But he’s the star of the Denver Bashers. And a lot of people in this city love hockey so he must deal with this often.
“I’m sorry you have to deal with that.”
He flashes an easy smile and shrugs. “It’s fine. It’s not that bad honestly. Not like I’m Taylor Swift, constantly getting hounded.”
“I guess that’s true.” I chuckle. “We should probably kiss.”
He half smiles. “You think so?”
I nod. “We’re a couple. Couples kiss after a romantic dinner out, right? Especially on Valentine’s Day.”
Technically that’s true. But part of me just really, really wants Xander’s mouth on mine after that romantic date he just treated me to.
Judging by the wicked grin on his face, he wants that too.
He grabs me by the waist and pulls me against him. And then he cups his hand on my cheek and brings his mouth to mine.
He starts slow at first. He teases his tongue along the seam of my mouth for a couple of seconds before parting my lips. Then he gently laps his tongue against mine, leading the kiss.
I moan into his mouth, savoring the bitter taste of whiskey and the sweetness of dessert.
He amps things up and my breath turns ragged as I keep up. His tongue is so soft and firm all at once.
And then the filthy part of my brain takes over. I imagine his face between my legs, lapping at my clit in this same teasing way.
My pussy aches with need.
A second later, Xander pulls away, breaking our kiss.
I gaze up at him, relieved to see the dazed look in his eyes. That means this kiss rocked him too.
He clears his throat and lets out a breathy laugh.
“Sorry, I guess I got a little carried away there,” he says.
I shake my head. “Don’t be sorry. That was, um, hot.”
We both laugh.
He looks past me again. “The photographer’s gone.”
I touch my fingers to my mouth, still dazed. “Oh. Good.”
Xander asks where I’m parked and I tell him that I’m a block down the corner. He grabs my hand in his.
“I’ll walk you.”
I nod, my entire body still buzzing…and absolutely certain that I’m going to fantasize about that kiss and Xander when I’m in bed tonight.