Cristiana Chapter 1 #2
As Odin protested, Atlas kept jabbing at him, but it was all done in fun. I laughed. My unease about having Reuben and Rhys here lessened. Catching sight of our waitress coming with a large tray filled with drinks, I got into my pocket. Sinner’s hand came down on my arm. He was sitting on my left.
“Keep your money. I’ve got this,” he murmured.
“Thank you, but you did it last time. I can pay for my drinks,” I whispered back.
“I know you can, but a gentleman doesn’t let a lady pay for anything. It’s how I was raised. You can try, but I’ll just give the money back to you.”
I didn’t mistake his show of dominance as him being a chauvinist. Nothing I’d seen of him so far made me think he was one. And to be honest, having a man take care of me was something I enjoyed, to a point.
“Okay, I’ll accept, but only to a point. If we get to know each other better, be prepared for me to buy you a few drinks.”
He grinned. “I look forward to it.”
We said nothing else because our orders were handed to us. As planned, Sinner paid and tipped the waitress generously for both our drinks. After everyone got theirs, including Reuben, I raised my glass. They did the same.
“Here’s to new acquaintances. May we become friends,” I toasted.
The guys cheered and growled their approval of my toast. I brought my slender champagne flute to my mouth.
The scent and the bubbles tickled my nose.
I took a small sip. I wanted to drink it leisurely.
It had the bubbles one expects from champagne, along with the highly acidic taste.
The texture was creamy in my mouth. This one had a burst of cherries and strawberries and a hint of nuttiness.
Along with the taste, I smelled subtle traces of berries, almonds, and grapes. I moaned.
“I guess I don’t have to ask if you like it,” Sawyer stated.
“Lord, no, you don’t. This champagne is amazing. I have to find out what brand this is.”
“It’s Veuve Clicquot Rose,” Reuben said out of the blue.
“How do you know?” I asked.
“Because I told your waitress to bring you that one. I figured you’d like it.”
His answer surprised me. I fumbled for words. After a few moments of silence, I found them.
“Thank you, Reuben. You picked an excellent one. I believe it’s the best champagne I’ve ever had. When she asked which kind I wanted, I told her whatever she thought best. I know the taste I like, but I’m not familiar with the brands. Do you know so much about them from working here?” I asked.
“From working here and personal experiences,” he replied.
His answer made me think about how many women he had probably been with.
He must wine and dine them. That’s where he got his knowledge.
It was ridiculous to think he spent all his time with women only here.
I wondered briefly what kind of boyfriend he’d make, but I shoved that thought into a lidded box in my head. I wasn’t dwelling on him.
Our conversation shifted to the others’ favorite wines and champagnes they enjoyed. Although I planned to savor mine, it was gone too soon. With it gone, my third offer to dance came up. It was no surprise that it was Odin. He told Atlas to watch and learn before we left the table.
Time sped by as I danced and talked and drank another glass of champagne with them.
I planned to stop there. I had to drive home, and if I wanted to return upstairs, I couldn’t do more than two.
After Odin, Sawyer was my dance partner.
All the guys impressed me. Having these many men be good dancers wasn’t my usual experience.
I was returning to the table after dancing with Sinner.
He’d been the best, and the one who held me slightly closer.
I noted the interest in his eyes. I was trying to decide whether I was beginning to feel any desire for him.
As we resumed our seats, I found another glass of champagne in front of my seat.
“Where did this come from?” I asked the table.
“I ordered it for you. You seem to be enjoying it so much. It’s a shame if you pass up the chance for more. Go ahead, drink it,” Reuben said, shocking me.
I wanted to tell him no, but the nice me detested wasting something that good. So, finally, I smiled, murmured, “Thank you,” and then took a drink.
It was as smooth and wonderful as the first two glasses were.
This third drink shot my chance of returning to the second floor tonight, but it was probably for the best. I wasn’t in the mood to watch shows, and I hated to give any of these guys the impression I was open to playing tonight.
Before I decided whether any of them were someone I wanted to play with, I needed to get to know them better.
I savored the third glass. When I finished it, I excused myself to go to the ladies’ room.
Upon my return, I was hit with what I had been dreading.
I never made it to my seat before Rhys stood and held out his hand to me.
He’d said almost nothing the entire time he sat with us.
Or at least whenever I was at the table.
“It’s my turn. You wouldn’t say no, would you?” he asked.
I wanted to blow him off and say never, but he had behaved tonight, and I believed in giving people a second chance, or I used to.
The others were watching me closely. Their faces told me they wondered what I’d do.
I guess I hadn’t kept my distaste for him a secret. Taking a deep breath, I answered Rhys.
“Of course, I’ll dance with you. Let’s go.”
As he came to me, I moved ahead of him. I swore I heard a growl of disapproval. I pretended not to notice, though I did wonder who made it. All I wanted was to get this dance over with as quickly as humanly possible.