15. Chapter 15 – Lincoln
Chapter 15 – Lincoln
“ W ine, Sir?” The server leaned over slightly, presenting the wine menu to me. I glanced at it briefly and saw exactly the wine I wanted for Peyton, and then dismissed him.
I didn’t want anyone around her. Period.
Aside from Dane.
I smirked to myself as I stared down at the menu, already knowing how I was planning to play with her during the meal. And after.
God, the after was going to be so good.
“Do you have any recommendations?” Peyton asked, drawing my eyes up to her bright green ones. The way I could lose myself in those green eyes should alarm me. I shouldn’t want to be that close to anyone at all. “The menu is a little extensive and I can’t decide.”
“Do you like duck?” I glanced back down at the menu again. Although I had never been to the restaurant before, French cuisine was something I quite enjoyed.
“I don’t know.” She chewed on her bottom lip, “I’ve never had it. I’ve had nothing on this menu before.” She laid the menu down and stared at me. “I’m out of my depth here, Mr. Bryce. I believe I will excuse myself and allow you to enjoy your meal undisturbed. I’m not a fancy restaurant kind of girl.”
She put her napkin on the table and I quickly put my hand on top of hers on the table, stilling her. “Wait.” I could feel how on edge she was and could see the doubt burning brightly in her eyes. “Take a deep breath, Peyton.” Her nostrils flared slightly at her name, something I hardly used in place of the appropriate Ms. Everett. “This isn’t meant to be stressful.”
She took a deep breath like I told her to. “I just don’t want to order something wrong and then waste it.”
“Then I’ll order for us both, and you can try a couple of different things. Explore your options a little.” I knew what I meant by that, but she didn’t.
“It’s a lot of money to chance.” She held my stare.
I grinned, unable to keep my usual stoic face. “I’ll worry about my fortune, and you worry about what kind of dessert you’re going to try first.”
She smirked, pressing her lips together to hide it, and flipped her menu to the dessert page. I knew my girl had a sweet tooth, but I was going to enjoy getting to see her experience it first had.
“Ma’am.” The Ma?tre de leaned over to her side politely. “There’s a package for you at the front desk.”
“Me?” She stammered, “I think there’s a mistake—”
“Peyton Everett?” He clarified and her lips parted in surprise before she nodded, chancing a glance over at me. “The front desk, Ma’am.” The man stood up and held his arm out toward the front entrance, waiting for her to follow his directions.
“I—” She paused, looking back to me and blushing.
She knew exactly who had something delivered to her. Dane .
“Go ahead.” I leaned back and took a sip of my water, challenging her to leave me for her stalker. “I’m not going anywhere.”
She scurried from her chair, following the man to the front desk, and I smiled to myself. Hook, line and sinker.
Time to play with my pretty little Puppet.