Chapter 6
6
PETER
“ W elcome to Le Veronique. Do you have a reservation?” The hostess offers us a friendly smile.
“It should be under Jacobs ,” I respond.
Once she finds my name on the list for the evening, she grabs a couple of menus and gestures for us to follow her. She brings us to a small, semi-private booth toward the back of the restaurant and informs us that our server, Cassie, will be arriving soon to take care of us.
“I forgot how upscale this place is,” Ella Kate mutters as she slides into the booth, her eyes and mouth wide in amazement.
I look around and shrug. It’s a nice restaurant; the lights are dimmed for an intimate atmosphere and all the furniture is of top quality. But it’s hard to find anything truly eye-catching when I have such a beautiful girl sitting in front of me.
“You’ve been here before?” I ask, purposefully drawing her attention back to me. It works and her gaze settles on mine again, making my heart stutter a beat like it always does whenever she looks at me.
“Just one other time. It was for my high school graduation. My parents wanted to take me out for a nice dinner. I remember the food being really good, but also really expensive.” She lets out a nervous laugh and twists her fingers together. “I think I’ll probably just get a salad or maybe a bowl of soup.”
I frown. “A salad doesn’t sound too filling after a full day of work.”
Her eyes fall to the menu and she raises one shoulder in a half-shrug. “I’m just saving money right now so I don’t want to spend a lot on one dinner.”
“And when have you had to pay for anything when we’ve been out?” I try not to sound insulted, but she’s caught me off guard.
She snaps her eyes back up and her mouth drops open. “Well… never. But you shouldn’t have to expense this kind of thing for work. At least not my meal anyway.”
“I don’t expense anything. Yes, you’ve been kind enough to help me with this project. But it’s because I want you to, not because the resort pays for it.”
“Oh.” She casts her head down again.
“Look at me, please,” I ask, wanting her full attention, which she grants me. “Tonight isn’t just work, Ella Kate. I want to spend time with you. And do something nice for you because you deserve it.”
“I really don’t.” She chortles. The sound is disparaging and I hate it.
“Don’t ever say that again, or I’ll spank you.” Part of me is teasing, but the other part just might.
“You wouldn’t dare,” she tests me.
“I wouldn’t dream of letting anyone say anything depreciatory or contemptuous about you. That includes you. Understand?”
She nods as a smile spreads across her lips.
“Good. Now, let’s decide what we want to eat.”
Just as we resume perusing the menu, our server joins us at the table. “Hello, I’m Cassie. I’ll be taking care of you this evening. Can I start you off with some wine or perhaps a cocktail?”
“Just water for me,” Ella Kate answers, not even glancing at the drink menu.
“Actually, can we get a bottle of this Cabernet Sauvignon?” I point to my selection on the extensive wine list.
“Absolutely. I’ll have that open in just a moment.” Cassie leaves as Ella Kate’s mouth hangs open again. This time, on a gasp.
“Close your mouth, honey or flies will get in,” I joke.
“Peter, are you kidding me?” She leans forward to whisper, “That bottle is over two hundred dollars.”
“Oh, really?” I look down at the menu to see if she’s right. “That’s much cheaper than what I was expecting, to be honest.”
She’s sputtering, like she can’t believe what’s happening.
“Ella Kate,” I say, lowering my tone and reaching across the table to place my hand over hers. “I’ve already told you, but apparently it bears repeating. I’m trying to thank you for all you’ve been doing for me. You’ve taken time out of your busy schedule to help me, and I know I’ve gotten on your nerves during some of that time.”
“Most of the time,” she utters beneath her breath, and I let it slide with a chuckle since her shoulders have finally relaxed.
“Truly, I don’t see how you could possibly find me annoying with my charming personality and endless wit.”
That gets her to smile until she remembers herself.
“Still,” she continues after clearing her throat. “I don’t need all this fancy-schmancy stuff. You could’ve just half-assed it and ordered a pizza. I would’ve been fine with that.” She laughs.
“Come on, don’t you know by now?” I can’t help but give her a wicked smile and brush a light circle over her hand. “I don’t half-ass anything. I always go hard.”
My words, the ambiance of the restaurant, the way I’ve been chasing after her these past few weeks… Everything seems to finally sink in for her as understanding and disbelief cross her face. Then, she looks at me intensely, searching for any sort of dishonesty in my expression. And when she finds none, she ducks her head as her face reddens.
“Oh,” she says. “I see.”
“Took you long enough,” I reply, softening my smile.
She fidgets in her seat, but before she can say anything, Cassie arrives with the wine. After I approve, our waitress pours each of us a glass, then asks for our orders. When Ella Kate requests the second least expensive entrée, I let her since at least it’s not soup or a salad. Eventually, she’ll see that I want to spoil her and she’ll learn to let me.
After our server leaves, there’s a slight air of awkwardness between us, as if Ella Kate doesn’t know how to act around me anymore. I can’t have that, so I try to ease the tension with distraction.
“Did I ever tell you about the time I almost got arrested in Florida because my brother wouldn’t tell me the security code to his house? His neighbor thought I was breaking in and called the police on me.” I laugh, remembering Nate’s cheeky neighbor, Rose. She may be an old lady, but she sure can stir up trouble when she wants to.
“What?” Ella Kate exclaims, a broad smile growing on her face.
“Yup,” I say, popping the P at the end. “My brother had just moved down there and gotten engaged to this sweet girl who owned a Christmas-themed vacation rental.”
“Christmas-themed? In Florida?” she asks with disbelief.
“Christmas-themed,” I confirm. “Teddie even baked holiday cookies every day for her guests.”
“Huh. Well, that’s… different.”
“There’s a story behind it—I’ll tell you that one later. But it makes sense since she lives in Candy Cane Keys.”
“You’re making that up.” Ella Kate narrows her glare at me, turning her head and giving me a side eye.
I raise my palms in surrender. “Honest to God.”
She still looks at me as if I’m pulling her leg.
I continue anyway. “As I was saying, Rose is a spry old lady who was also Teddie’s grandmother’s best friend and current neighbor. I guess Nate and Teddie forgot to tell her I was coming, so she wasn’t expecting me.”
“But you said it was a vacation home. Didn’t they have guests there all the time?” Ella Kate leans forward, clearly interested in the story.
“That was before Nate moved in. That’s actually how they met. I sent him there for thirty days against his will.”
Her face contorts with confusion.
“I admit I like to meddle in my brother’s life, but if I didn’t, he’d be a hermit still living in New York and completely wifeless. He needs me. He’d be nothing without me.”
Now, Ella Kate quirks a manicured eyebrow.
I ignore it with a smile. “Anyway, the happy couple were out shopping when I arrived, and I was messing around with the keypad, trying to guess the code.”
“Why didn’t you just ask your brother?”
“I don’t need your logic, Ella Kate. Just follow along.”
She giggles at me and the sweet sound fills my chest with warmth. I’d make her laugh every day if I could.
“So, as I was trying but failing to get the door unlocked, I saw Teddie’s neighbor glaring at me from behind a huge bush in her yard. I waved at her, but the old girl just flipped me the bird.”
“She what?” Ella Kate’s eyebrows rise to her hairline.
“The old woman flipped me off. I swear!”
“Serves you right for trying to break in.” She laughs.
“I wasn’t breaking in. I was invited. Besides, she didn’t have to call the cops on me. She later claimed that I looked like I was up to no good , and that I had too many muscles.”
“She didn’t say that last part, did she?”
“No, but it’s still true. I have nice muscles.” I flex my bicep, earning myself more giggles and an eye roll.
“She was right, though. You do look like you’re up to no good.”
“Oh, she definitely was. I am up to no good. Especially when I’m around you.” I wink, and Ella Kate blushes again, pinching her plump lips together to suppress her grin.
Thankfully, the awkward tension has dissolved and we’re able to fall into easy conversation now. We trade anecdotes about our families and lives until our meal is brought to the table. But I barely taste the food, since my attention is solely focused on Ella Kate. Her face lights up with each bite she takes and I’m pleased again that I convinced her to get something better than a salad. It’s a simple date, but it’s the best one I’ve ever had, and I’m already thinking of other dates I want to take her on, other things I want her to experience.
Too soon, we finish our meal and the server drops off the check. Ella Kate makes a move to take out her wallet. I slap my card down and raise an eyebrow at her. She huffs, but allows me to pay, promising to cover the bill the next time. I tease her, asking if she plans to court me. In truth, I’m silently counting this date as a win since she admitted she wants to do it again.
Then, we leave Le Veronique, stepping out into the moonlit night. There’s a slight chill in the air now and she subconsciously steps closer to me, allowing the backs of our hands to brush. I take her palm in mine, waiting to see if she’ll pull it away. Thankfully, she doesn’t.
When we get to my car, I open the passenger door for her but she hesitates. She turns to me and bites her lip. “Can I… can I try something?”
“Sure.” I nod, a little confused.
She swallows hard before gently placing her hands on my shoulders and rising up on the balls of her feet to place a chaste kiss on my lips. The press of her mouth to mine is soft and sweet, and seemingly innocent. And when she pulls back, her face is flush, making her freckles stand out against her smooth complexion.
“Can I try something now?” I ask her, feeling my composure slip from my grasp like grains of sand.
As soon as her head dips in agreement, I lean forward, cupping her cheek in my hand and capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. She gasps in surprise, and I use the opportunity to deepen the kiss, pressing my tongue into her mouth. I lick into her wet warmth, savoring the subtle taste of red wine and chocolate cake. She makes a noise, somewhere between a groan and a whimper, before she grabs a handful of my shirt and steadies herself against me.
With one hand on her face, I trace the other down the outline of her body until I reach the swell of her hip. While hooking my fingers through the loop of her jeans, I pull her waist to mine, grinding my hard cock against her.
“Oh my God,” she gasps, pulling away and looking down. “You’re har?—”
“Mhmm , ” I murmur, tilting her head back and pressing open-mouth kisses down the column of her throat. She shudders and her hand trembles against my chest.
As she melts beneath my touch, I step back to look her in the eyes. Those green gems are hazy at first but after a few blinks, she’s able to focus. I’ve waited weeks to have her, wanting her like I’ve never wanted anyone else. I can’t wait a second longer.
I need her. Now.
“Tell me you want me, Ella Kate.” My tone is laced with intensity. “Tell me I can have you now, that I don’t have to wait anymore.” It takes a few seconds for my words to sink in, but once they do, she exhales a shaky breath and nods. I drag my thumb across her bottom lip. “Words, sweetheart. I need to hear you say it.”
“I want you , ” she confirms, and I smile.
“There’s a good girl.”
I help her into the car, and when she looks up at me confused, I explain, “The first time I make you come isn’t going to be in some restaurant parking lot.” I hold her gaze, my dick aching to be freed from my slacks. “Although, if you’re willing, maybe we can try that next time.” I wink before kissing her again.
It’s taking everything in me to hold back long enough to get her to my place. But once I get her there, I’m going to show her just how much I want her. And work project or not, she’s stuck with me for how ever long she’ll have me.