Chapter 40
Premium Bond
Drew
Having Sara to myself is a luxury I won’t take for granted. The car stops outside of Indulgence, a new restaurant that takes months to get into. The chef owed me a favor, so tonight we have choice seats where everyone will be able to see us together.
Am I making a declaration? Definitely. Sara is mine.
She runs her hands over her black skirt and then her pale green eyes lift to mine. A small smile graces her red lips. “How did you get a reservation here?”
“I’ll never divulge my secrets.” I step out on the curb and reach my hand down to help her out. Her black dress clings to her curves. A flash or two goes off as she joins me on the sidewalk. We’re not front-page news by a long shot, but we’ll end up on some gossip blog somewhere.
Her red hair is caught up in a complicated updo that I’ll have the pleasure of messing up later. Ringlets fall around her bare shoulders. She touches the black choker around her neck.
It was the only thing on her when I fucked her this morning.
Fuck. I take a breath to relieve the sudden tightness in my pants.
I didn’t want to mess her up before going out or I would have fucked her in the car.
Likely in the elevator. Definitely bent her over in her kitchen and fucked her in front of her guard dog, Dante.
But I held back because I want her to shine like the diamond she is tonight.
On the way back to the apartment, I might make her put those red lips to good use, but I’ll leave her looking just as put together until we get back. She curls her hand around my elbow and I lead her to the host stand.
The host is a woman with her blond hair slicked back in a ponytail and wearing all black. She smiles at us like we’re long-lost friends. “Mr. Young. Ms. Morris. So lovely of you to join us this evening. Please follow me and I’ll take you right to your seats.”
No one stands waiting for a table or for the host’s attention. They wouldn’t make it in past the doorman without a reservation. The atmosphere is dark and secluded, but there are plenty of tables scattered about.
The host leads us the long way to our table.
After all, this is a place to be seen as well as to experience the food.
I nod to people I know, and some I only know of, as we pass.
We have a private booth with a quarter of a circle seat and a round table covered by a white table cloth that pools on the floor.
“Here we are.” The host gestures to the table and folds her hands in front of her while we get settled. “I’ll let your waiter know you’re here. We have your wine chilled and ready to bring out, Mr. Young. Enjoy your evening, Ms. Morris.”
“Thank you.” Sara glances around the restaurant as the host nods and heads back to the front. “This is a nice place.”
“I was one of the chef’s guinea pigs for the menu. You won’t be disappointed.” I hand her the small menu. There’s a few choices to make but it’s between two things for each course. “All freshly sourced. The menu changes daily.”
Smiling, she scans the menu and then sets it to the side. The waiter walks up and opens the wine I had delivered to the restaurant earlier. It’s one I’ve been saving.
“A very good choice, sir.” The waiter nods while he pours some into a glass for me.
I take a sip and give him my approval. He pours both of us a glass and then takes our selections before returning to the kitchen.
“You know, I would’ve been happy with a burger.” She smirks and unfolds her napkin into her lap.
“If you want, I can ask them to make you one.” I take a sip of my wine and cock an eyebrow.
Her laugh is light and delightful. “You would too, wouldn’t you?”
“Of course.” I don’t think she really believes I’m all in on this, but I’d be a fool not to be. I may have been a player, but I’m not a fool.
She shakes her head and her green eyes dance. “Is this the publicly staking your claim dinner?”
“If the previous one didn’t make the gossiping mamas spin, this one will.
” I shrug. It’s part of the game of this world.
My parents struggle still, but they made sure I was raised as one of these people.
Went to the right schools, played the right sports, had the right connections. I never wanted for anything.
“My mom asked about you after our last dinner.” She crosses her legs and toys with the napkin in her lap.
“What did you tell her?” I’m curious because Sara doesn’t strike me as the type to brag about a man she caught.
“Not much honestly. I was still too freaked out about Tom being gone.” Her smile looks a little forced. “I’m still freaked out. He hasn’t ever been gone this long without making contact.”
I slide my hand into hers and weave our fingers together. Every time I do, it feels right.
“He may be worried that you’re being watched.” It’s what the guys and I think. Things settled down with her in their apartment, but that doesn’t mean someone isn’t waiting for us to slip up. “Did your tech guy find anything?”
She shakes her head and squeezes my hand. “He’s still looking, but it might mean that Tom has help or that Tom may need help. It’s just frustrating because I can’t do anything when I don’t have all the information. We don’t even know who he’s running from.”
“We know whoever it is, they’re powerful. And we’ll do everything to keep you safe.” I lift her hand to my lips and kiss the back.
She releases a breath. “I’m sorry. I’m a bad date. You’ve brought me to this fancy restaurant and I’m going on about my brother.”
“We can talk about whatever you want to talk about, princess. If you want to go over data processing techniques, I’ll be all ears. But I get it. A lot has happened and you’re still dealing with some pretty crappy shit.”
Her smile is shy. “Not everything has been crappy.”
I smirk and rub my thumb over her smooth skin. “No, not everything.”
“Okay, so how do you know the chef?” She puts everything to the side and pulls that I’m a good society girl face out of her pocket.
I’ll let her because I know it’s hiding her real feelings about Tom. She needs me to fill the silence. To pretend with her this once. So I tell her all about my friend Owen Matthews and how Owen and I spent summer vacations until her laughter fills the air.
“So you’ve known him since you two were kids?” She takes one of the appetizers and pops it into her mouth.
“He’s always been my ride or die.” I smirk and glance toward the kitchen. “Can you keep a secret?”
Her eyes sparkle in the dim light as she leans in close. “Always.”
“I’m a silent investor.” I cup her jaw and slide my hand along the nape of her neck. She shivers and her eyes darken. It’s so easy to forget we’re on stage here. It’s easy because it’s Sara. “He didn’t want me going to bat for him though.”
“I don’t think he needs you.” She smiles. “What I’ve tasted so far has been decadent.”
“He would have gone far without me. I was expanding my holdings, and when he told me his idea, I wanted to help.” I lean in and whisper, “I’m not a good cook.”
“The lasagna—”
“Was made for me.” I shrug. “I wanted to impress you, not give you salmonella.”
She chuckles and reaches for the last appetizer. Her eyes widen before she pops it in her mouth. Not bothering to offer me the last one.
“I like that you take your pleasure where you can, princess.”
Her cheeks turn red as she covers her mouth and chews.
“It’s really good food.”
I kiss her lightly and she smiles against my lips. It’s hard to keep my hands to myself, but this isn’t somewhere I can get away with anything. We’re being watched and judged. I don’t want Sara to be called a whore by the gossipmongers. But I do want them to say she’s mine.
We sit back as the waiter clears the plates and puts the next course in front of us.
“How’s work going?” I ask as we dig in.
Before she can tell me, someone clears their throat. Both Sara and I look up. I’d forgotten there were other people here.
“Drew Young, it’s been ages.” Elizabeth Hartfield stands with her hand draped over a man’s elbow. She’s small, with sleek dark hair and brown eyes.
I sit back in my chair and smirk. Fuck, that wasn’t that long ago. The guy on her arm is familiar. Jason Harper. He’s an entrepreneur with a penchant for pretty people. Elizabeth qualifies but he usually likes them five years younger than her.
Fuck it. I’ll do the gentlemanly thing. Just to throw them off.
I stand and offer Jason my hand. “Drew Young, it’s a pleasure to meet you finally.”
Jason takes my hand in a firm grasp. “Pleasure.”
His hazel eyes narrow. He wants me to keep what he does at my club a secret. I give him a small nod. It would be bad for business if I went around spreading everyone’s dirty laundry. His hand relaxes in mine.
“I was just telling Jason how funny it is to see you here with… ” Elizabeth’s nose wrinkles as she looks at Sara. Sara smiles politely, though.
“My date, Sara Morris.” I step back to stand next to my seat. “You remember her from the other times you’ve met her.”
Elizabeth finds her training and puts on that plastic grin. “Of course, you were Noah’s date.”
“Noah’s friend.” Sara glances at me like she wants me to take care of this. “Such a memorable evening.”
“We’re in the middle of dinner.” I slide back into the booth and take Sara’s hand, lifting it to kiss her knuckles. “We have a show to get to later. You understand, don’t you?”
I meet Jason’s eyes and he nods before putting his hand over Elizabeth’s.
“We should get to our table,” he says quietly.
“Yes.” Elizabeth looks like she wants to say something else, but she’s on her best behavior in front of Jason. He’s a fucking catch for someone like her. Not as big as Cooper Graham would have been. But she never stood a chance with him.
“Have a good evening.” Jason turns with her.
“You too.” I want to laugh, but I’m just glad they’re leaving.
“So that was unique?” Sara arches an eyebrow with a semi-smile.
I chuckle. “Yeah, at least we’re in polite society where everyone is watching her.”
“How was the fallout after you ended things?” She takes a bite.
“Just like now, except the one time she caught me alone and ripped into me like I was the Christmas wrapping paper on a tiny jewelry box.” I shake my head. “Seriously, if I cared, I might have been torn up about it for at least a month.”
Sara gives me a questioning look.
“She was using me. So was Leighton.” I shrug. “I know when I’m being used, princess. Just like the dinner. Coop was looking for something more. He wanted to blow them up, and fuck, I was glad to help. Does that bother you?”
Sara snorts a laugh. “No. Absolutely not. Those women were making Madison’s life hell. They reminded me of my supposed best friend in high school. I don’t want those type of women anywhere near me.”
She gives a little shudder.
“Excuse me, sir.” The waiter stops at our table. “He’s ready for you two.”
Sara takes a drink of her wine and raises her eyebrows at me.
“Dessert, princess.” I stand and offer her my hand.
She slips hers into mine and my heart beats a little harder. The waiter puts our wine and glasses on his tray and leads us back into the kitchen, the throbbing heart of the restaurant.
Owen wipes his hands on his apron with a huge grin. He holds his hand out to me. “How was it?”
“Crap. Worse than dog shit.” I give him a one-arm hug.
When his blue eyes find Sara, he smirks, digging his hand into his blond hair. “Your girl?”
“It was delicious. Your food is amazing.” Sara’s cheeks are flushed.
Owen’s hot. And he cooks. He’s on the top of the most eligible bachelor list. And I’m not splitting time with Sara with any new guys.
I know Owen isn’t afraid to share, but yeah, no. He holds his hand out, but before Sara can take it, I take hers and pull her into my side.
“You never liked to share.” Owen chuckles.
Sara hides her face in my chest and her shoulders shake as she laughs against me. Yeah, I’m not telling him I’m currently sharing Sara with three others. He’d probably offer to pinch hit a few innings.
Owen gives me a grin and jerks his head toward the back. “Come on.”
We follow behind him with my hand wrapped around Sara’s hip. He opens the doors into a courtyard with sparkling lights everywhere. Sara steps out of my hold with her mouth open.
Owen gives me a knowing smile and pats me on the back. “Enjoy dessert, asshole.”
“Thanks, fucker.”
Laughing, he walks back into the bustling kitchen. When the door shuts, it takes away all the noises with it. A hidden speaker plays soft violin music in the background.
“This is beautiful, Drew.” She walks over to the table for two with a covered plate on it.
I smile and join her, pulling a chair out for her. “I wanted at least some alone time with you before we went back to your apartment.”
“We could go to your apartment for a little while if you want.” Her gaze follows me as I sit across from her.
“Another time, princess. Tonight let me deliver the fairy tale.” I lift the lid and unveil a decadent chocolate cake decorated with sugar butterflies.
Her lips part and she covers her mouth. “That’s gorgeous. It’s too beautiful to eat.”
“Anything for you.” Maybe if I say it enough, she’ll understand what I’m really saying. She’ll know I’m not like the others. But it wouldn’t hurt to edge them out a little bit so she can see a future with me without them in it.
I don’t know what’s going to happen when Tom comes back. I don’t know if they’ll draw away all at once or slowly, but each rejection will cut her deeply. If I carve out a big enough slice of her heart for me, maybe I can make it easier on her. Make it hurt less.
Her pale green eyes sparkle. “Thank you for a lovely evening.”
“It’s only just begun, princess.”