Chapter 4
Chapter Four
DASH
For the first time since I can remember, and maybe ever, a woman has knocked me speechless.
The way she keeps playing on her phone is not only annoying, but it’s making me jealous of a piece of technology. Why is she giving it her complete focus instead of me? What did I do wrong?
Flashes of me sitting in this very same restaurant with other women hit me like a jolt of electricity. Me on my phone ignoring them completely, and then me getting up and walking out without so much as a backwards glance. Jesus, could she potentially do this to me?
The second I saw her, something was different and now I’m beginning to second-guess every decision I make.
Should I try and push for more conversation, or should I just let her talk?
Do I tell them to bring the dessert cart around now, or does she want to wait?
Doubt is something I’m not familiar with and I don’t fucking like it.
Every time I see her tuck her dark hair behind her ear, I ache to be the one to do it.
The delicate movement of her fingers as she texts on her phone makes we wonder what that would feel like on my chest. The way she bites her bottom lip when she’s self-conscious is driving me crazy and if she doesn’t turn those big brown eyes on me in the next two seconds, I’m going to flip this table over.
My blood boils the longer she taps on her phone and sips her wine like I’m not even here. If this is the game she wants to play then she’s going to be upset, because I won’t take a gamble. Not when I’ve finally found her.
“Put your phone down,” I say, my voice low and laced with an order.
She looks up and raises an eyebrow at me. “Excuse me?”
I lean close and speak in a punctuated sentence so she doesn't miss it this time. “I said. Put. Your. Phone. Down.” Her mouth closes and she audibly swallows as she lowers her phone to the table. When I look up, the waiter is standing close by and I point to him. “You, we’re taking our food to go.”
I push away from the table and he runs off quickly; I assume it’s to do as I’ve told him.
“Wait, what’s happening?” She looks at me and I hold my hand out.
“You’re coming with me.”
“B-but…wait.” She looks around the crowded restaurant and I’m sure there are people watching, but I don’t give a shit.
I grab her phone and lean in close to her. “You are going to get your cute ass up and come on a real date with me. We’re going to start over, and you’re going to like it.”
She stares at me with wide eyes as I swipe open her phone and see the group text she was on going crazy. I sigh as I type out my message.
Me: This is Dash Belmont and this is my number. I’m taking Brooklyn to dinner, and then I’m bringing her home at midnight. I’m sharing her location and mine too. She’s going to be with me until I bring her home and then she can respond to you. Until then, have a good night.
I turn her phone on silent and tuck it into my pocket with my own cell.
“Get up.” I hold out my hand once again and she blinks a few times. “Now.”
With that one word she pops out of her chair like she sat on a porcupine and slips her small hand in mine.
Without a word I pull her behind me as I make my way through the now-silent restaurant.
No doubt we put on quite the show for them, but I’m hoping everyone got a look at the stunning woman on my arm.
Now they’ll all remember she’s with me, and that puts a smile on my face.
My driver is by the curb, and when he sees me he comes running around to the side of the car. I hold my hand up and shake him off.
“We’re going to walk,” I say as I nod back to the restaurant. “The food should be out in just a second. Get the creme br?lée and meet us in the park.” I look over at Brooklyn and then back to the driver. “Near the zoo.”
“Will do, sir.” He nods as he goes into the restaurant and I tighten my grip on Brooklyn’s hand.
“Are your feet okay in those shoes?” I look down at the little flats and think about just carrying her.
“I’m literally in yoga pants and flats. I think I can manage a stroll through the park.” She tries to tug her hand from mine, but I end up entwining our fingers so she can’t.
“I’m afraid you’re going to run.” I look over at her and smile as we cross the street and walk down to the next block where the park entrance is.
“You’re probably right. I don’t even know you,” I hear her huff as I slow my pace next to her.
“It looked like you did from that group chat.” She brushes her hair out of her face and I can see the blush on her cheeks.
“Oh, um, that was nothing.”
“Hmm.” I decide not to dig too deep on that response. “Is Brooklyn what everyone calls you?”
“Yeah, and you’re Dash.” She fights a smile and looks away as we walk into the park.
“What’s your favorite animal?” I nod toward the park and she smiles, but this time she doesn’t try to hide it.
“Definitely the sloths.”
“Because they like to sleep?” I chuckle, and she nods.
“They are just so chill. They like being cozy and I really respect that.”
“I can tell.” I look over at her sweatshirt and raise an eyebrow.
“Oh, so yeah, about that—”
“I wish I would have worn one.”
“Really? You don’t strike me as the sweats and chill kind of guy.”
The sun shines through the canopy of trees and I see streaks of auburn in her dark hair. “I wear a suit for the office, but I hate it.”
“That doesn't sound like fun. Why work somewhere doing something you hate?”
“Family obligation?” I shrug as we walk a little farther down the path. “But I do know that as soon as I get these last few things settled I’m stepping back.”
“For someone else to take over?” She looks up at me and there’s genuine curiosity in her eyes.
“No, I think I’m ready for it to become something else.” I squeeze her hand. “Tell me about you. Do you get to be cozy all day?”
Now it’s her turn to laugh as we walk over to a bench and take a seat. I don’t let go of her hand as I turn my body to face her as she talks.
“I’m a kindergarten teacher, so yeah, I guess I get to have fun most of the time.”
“Do you like kids?” I try not to think about the implications of her answer, but instead enjoy just being next to her.
“I love them.” She blushes as she looks down at our joined hands and then quickly away. “I don’t think we’re supposed to talk about this on a first date, but yeah, I love babies and children. It’s the reason I became a teacher.”
“We can talk about whatever we want on a first date.” I reach over and brush a stray hair out of her face and place it behind her ear. “What do you like most about being a teacher?”
“Feeling like I’m making a difference in the world.” She shrugs. “Seeing the kindness in my kids helps me see kindness in others. And they see the world through innocent eyes.”
“I like that.”
I ask her question after question about her work and where she went to school.
She talks excitedly about certain kids in her class and funny things that have happened to her.
There is a fire inside of her that makes me feel warm.
She has a passion for life that I’ve yet to taste and the longer I sit with her, the fuller I feel.
I didn’t know how hungry I was until she stepped in front of me, and suddenly I feel starved for it all. For her touch, her smile, her words.
The sound of someone walking up to us startles me and I realize I’ve forgotten the time. My driver is here carrying a picnic basket over one arm and a blanket over the other.
“Arrangements have been made, sir.” He nods as I take the things from him and he walks away.
Once again I grab Brooklyn’s hand, but this time I ask instead of demand. “Shall we?”
“Can we go into the zoo? I think it’s already closed.”
I wink at her as I tug on her hand and we walk toward the entrance. There’s a young woman in a khaki uniform waiting for us as we approach.
“Mr. Belmont?” she asks, and I nod. “Welcome, where would you like to dine this evening?”
I look at Brooklyn and then smile. “How about in front of the sloths?”
“Perfect, right this way.”
Brooklyn leans in close to me as the park worker goes ahead of us.
“Are we seriously allowed to do this?” she whispers, but I can feel her excitement.
“Your wish is my command.” I let go of her hand and wrap my arm around her waist so she stays at my side.
When we get to the sloth enclosure I see that an area has been set up close by for us to use. I let go of Brooklyn as I spread out the blanket on the grassy lawn and place the picnic basket down on top of it. We take a seat on the blanket, and when she looks up she gasps.
“What?” I look around like maybe she sat on something sharp.
“I see them!” she squeals and then covers her mouth quickly. “Oh god, I didn’t mean to scare them.”
I laugh as I watch her eyes widen in both excitement and pleasure. The park attendant comes over and places a battery-powered lantern on our blanket for us.
“These are our sloths Mango and Rocky. Normally sloths don’t have mated life pairs, but these two were rescued from the wild together and brought to us for medical treatment.
We’ve tried to introduce other females to Rocky, but he’s only got eyes for Mango.
” Brooklyn makes a little soft sound like she’s loving this story.
“Every time we brought in another female, Rocky threw a fit. We are a sanctuary for these animals while they rehabilitate and we hope one day to be able to release them back into their natural habitat.”
“Thank you,” I say to the attendant, and she nods.
“Have a good evening and take your time. I’m here for the night on the property and I’ll see on the cameras when you exit. Enjoy.”
I open up the basket of food and start laying it out on the blanket between us.
“I have a confession,” Brooklyn says.
“Have you decided not to run away?” I tease and she laughs.
“I thought this date was going to be terrible. But you’ve somehow proven me wrong.”
I lean in and smile as she bites her lip. “I hope to keep proving you wrong.”
With those words I close the distance between us and give her a quick kiss. Her lips are so damn soft and warm against mine and I don’t want to stop. I force myself to sit back and not rush this. It’s not enough but it will do for now.
That one kiss was enough to whet my appetite. As I’ve already discovered, when it comes to Brooklyn, I’m starved.