Chapter 6 #2
"I guess I should find a way to say that in a better way. I probably sound really odd and off-putting."
He reached across the table and took her hand. "There's no need to apologize or explain things away. I don't have a problem with your thoughts. I like being up front about things."
She grinned at him.
"Good, because I'm bound to say something silly or stupid sooner or later. It's guaranteed."
Nick squeezed her hand and she squeezed back.
It was a gentle and calming touch, but it seemed to set him on fire.
His new shirt was suddenly tight, his collar almost suffocating.
Reaching up his free hand, he slipped his fingers into the neck of his shirt and gave it a little tug.
"Nick?"
He managed a smile when his whole body was ready to get up and pounce.
Yeah. It had been a while.
A long, long time since he'd been with a woman.
He hadn't been with anyone since his wife.
Sure, he was up close and personal with his hand, but-
"Sir. Ma'am."
The waiter stopped at the side of the table and Nick felt like he'd been caught with his pants down in more than one way.
Clearing his throat, he released Ruth's hand and sat back in his chair.
The waiter set Ruth's plate down first and then one down for him.
Nick looked down at the meal to get the first look at what he'd ordered sight unseen.
After asking the obligatory questions about seasoning or drinks, the waiter bowed out.
Nick was still looking at his plate, wondering what the hell he'd ordered.
When he heard the in-drawn gasp from Ruth's side of the table he looked up.
She clasped her hands together in front of herself and the look she had focused on the dish in front of her on the table, he wanted her to look at him like that.
Like she could eat him up bit by bit.
He was suddenly very glad for the thick tablecloth covering enough of his lap that no one could see what he was feeling.
"Uh... Sorry to sound like a total nitwit, but," he gestured at the plate in front of him, "what did we order?"
Ruth leaned in toward the table, her forearms bracing against the edge of the table. Her face was lit with joy. "It's beef wellington."
"Wellington?" Nick looked down at the brown loaf-like item in the main part of the dish. "What does that mean?"
"It's a piece of meat surrounded by a savory mix of mushrooms and shallots and baked in a layer of pastry. I've seen it for over a decade on Hell's Kitchen with Gordon Ramsey and this is the first time that I've been to a restaurant that actually serves it. So I had to try it."
Rubbing her lips together made it harder for him.
To think.
To breathe.
To ignore the pain below the belt.
He was glad they still had to eat their meals because he was back to feeling like that teenage boy again.
A boy who might just have a problem keeping it in his pants.
He hadn't felt this alive in a long time.
Ruth hadn't started eating yet.
She hadn't even picked up her knife and fork.
Frowning, Nick looked over at her plate before he looked at her expression. "Is it wrong? Do you want to send it back?"
She shook her head, her lips thinned to a pale line. "I brought money," she explained, "I'm not expecting you to pay for it." She looked away to the side edge of the table. "I'm not trying to be a bad date."
Nick didn't want her to worry.
"Ruth," she looked up at him, her eyes widened. She had to smile at how pretty she looked. "Honey, don't worry. I've got this meal. I've even got dessert and more after it. Don't worry about ordering what you want to eat. I like a woman with an appetite."
"Well, then you're gonna love me," she mumbled under her voice. "I can eat."
"Good."
Her gaze snapped back to his.
He leaned in closer, picking up his fork and knife as he did. "I can, too. I regularly eat big meals. And I think you know that Katie can pack on the calories. She just burns them faster."
"She dances,” Ruth agreed. "I spend my time in the kitchen baking and... and tasting."
She looked down and picked up her knife and fork, mirroring his actions and they both started to cut into the Wellington.
"Oh... I can't wait to taste this. The meat," her voice hushed a little, "it's supposed to be so yummy and delicious. I'm going to be thinking about this for weeks."
His hands slowed as she lifted the first piece to her mouth.
And fuck him if the sight of her placing a juicy slice of the Wellington on her tongue didn't make him think of other things on her tongue.
With the first bite, she moaned.
Moaned.
"Holy hell..." Nick felt a tightness in his chest.
Her eyes closed and her whole expression had him on the verge of spilling the glass of ice water in his lap.
"It's... so good."
Nick cut into the Wellington. Well, sawed into it would be a better description. He just had to try this thing.
Or at least do something with his hands.
He even had to look away from her for a moment or risk missing his mouth and stabbing himself with the tines of his fork.
Then something crazy happened.
He tasted this loaf of meat and mushrooms... and liked it.
Really liked it.
He cut off another piece of Wellington and put it in his mouth, chewing it with a new enthusiasm for 'fancy' dishes.
It was incredible.
"It's great, isn't it?"
He looked up and saw her watching him, her eyes alight.
"Better than great. I'm glad I ordered it, too."
"Well," she cut off another piece while she talked, "I would have been more than happy to share it with you."
He gave her a sly, sideways look. "I'm glad we don't have to share."
She smiled and lifted a hand to hide her mouth. "Me, too."
The rest of the meal went easily between them.
The food on their plates disappeared as they talked and laughed and soon, they were sharing an order of tiramisu, their seats moved beside each other.
Nick couldn't imagine a better way to get to know her as she fed him bites from one fork that their waiter had brought them.
Yeah.
It wasn't just a good date.
It was the best.
He just hated to see it all end.
When they stepped outside of the restaurant, Nick's phone chimed in his pocket.
Ruth looked up at him with a slight lift of her chin. "Sounds like a text from Katie."
He agreed and took his phone out of his pocket.
The text alert was on the screen, and he tapped it with his fingertip.
KATIE: Dad! Hope you two are having the best time EVER! Dana's mom says I can stay over and yes... I planned on this. No rush to get home and no one to worry about. Enjoy!
His shoulders shook with laughter and felt Ruth's hand settle on his shoulder.
"I can tell that nothing's wrong."
He looked at her. "Nothing wrong. Katie's staying at her friend's house tonight."
A breath caught in her throat, and he saw a rise in the color of her cheeks.
"You want to come over to my house for a drink?"
He knew he might be pushing his luck with that invite, but knew he'd kick himself if he didn't at least make the offer.
Ruth looked back at him, her gaze traveling over him and when he put his hands on his waist, her gaze slowed over his forearms which he shamelessly flexed, earning a secretive smile from her.
When her gaze met his again, she nodded. "A drink."
"At least?" Yeah, he might be pushing it.
"At least." She agreed and took his arm when he walked up beside her.
At the very least, he felt his heart pound in his chest.