21
Selah
D inner at Easton’s is like a savory dream come true.
The intimate dining room is dimly lit, and each table is decorated with a white tablecloth, with flowers and candles in the center. The room itself only holds fifteen tables, and is by reservation only.
The menu is a carnivore's dream, without many light options. I settle on a petite filet mignon with a small garden salad, while Beckett gets a ribeye steak and a loaded baked potato.
We spend our meal talking more about what life was like for both of us growing up, mostly focusing on the good memories we have.
Beckett tells me more about his company and some plans he has for it in the future. He’s so intelligent and passionate about his work that I find myself just sitting entranced as he explains it all to me.
He asks me questions about Edison’s schooling, and I give him more advice to help him get on track with reading and math over the summer.
I keep silently repeating to myself throughout dinner that I can’t be falling for this man who is going to be leaving here soon and probably never looking back, but it gets harder as the night goes on.
Before I know it there is an elaborate dessert menu being set down in front of me, and the waitress gives me a warm smile.
“Oh, I can’t eat another bite,” I say regretfully, handing the menu back to her. “Thank you.”
Beckett frowns, “How about we share something, angel? They have a cookies and cream cheesecake that looks good. Would you like that?”
It sounds amazing, and I can’t remember the last time that I even ate anything so decadent. Beckett’s lips curve into a charming smile, and I know that I can’t say no to him.
“That sounds delicious,” I agree quietly.
His smile grows wider and he hands the menu back to the waitress, keeping his eyes on me. “Wonderful. We will have that with two spoons please. Thank you.”
“It will be right out,” she responds, hurrying out of the dining room.
When she leaves, Beckett stands up, keeping his eyes locked with mine as he comes to take the seat next to mine.
His long arm drapes over the back of my seat, and I shiver as he gently runs his finger up and down the side of my arm. His leg brushes against mine under the table, and he dips his head down to my ear, “I figured this would be easier for us to share,” he whispers.
My pulse races as he pulls away, “Of course,” I whisper, my voice wavering as I turn to look at him.
He tilts his head, studying my face. “I’m so glad you came out with me tonight, Selah. I appreciate you giving me a chance to get to know you better,” he says, speaking gently.
“I’m g-glad too. It’s been really nice, Beckett,” I stutter, glancing down to where his leg is touching mine.
When I look back up at him, his eyes lower to my mouth. I wet my lips, my mind beginning to race as his eyes fill with heat. I see him slowly move towards me just as our waitress returns, disrupting our trance.
“Sir, and Madam, your cheesecake,” she announces, setting a plate down in front of Beckett. “With two spoons.”
“Thank you,” Beckett says, keeping his arm around me as he reaches for one of the spoons.
He dips it into the cheesecake, then lifts the first bite to my mouth for me to try. I smile before wrapping my mouth around the spoon, my eyes closing as I take in all of the delicious flavors dancing on my tongue.
When I open my eyes, he’s watching me intently. “You like it?”
“More than like it,” I respond, lifting the napkin in my lap to wipe my mouth. “Please, try some too.”
He drags his eyes away from me and nods. Despite him requesting that the waitress bring us two spoons, he uses the same spoon he fed me with to dig back into the cheesecake, taking a small bite himself.
“Mmhmm. You’re right,” he agrees. He continues to feed me more bites of the amazing dessert, not even eating anymore of it himself.
The waitress discreetly drops the check on the table while she takes our empty plate, and Beckett pulls his arm from around me. I reach for my purse to get my wallet. I don’t know how much any of what I ordered costs since this is one of those annoying restaurants that refuses to put prices on the menu.
I never understood why people wouldn’t want to know how much their dinner cost. But I guess if you are rich it doesn’t really matter to you anyway. There are plenty of people here wearing jewelry that I’m sure cost more than my car.
Beckett included.
“What are you doing, angel?”
Beckett startles me from my worrying, as I try to fish out my debit card.
“I-I’m just getting out my card so we can split up the bill,” I respond, wondering why he looks so mad all of a sudden. I was moving as fast as I could.
“Split up the bill?” He snatches my wallet from me, putting it back inside of my purse, then places my purse on the table next to him.
“Don’t insult me sweetheart,” he scolds, shaking his head. “What kind of losers did you date before me?”
I gape at him, watching as he sets a black card inside of the check holder and closes it.
“I just-wait, dating ? This is a.. date?” I ask.
He raises a thick eyebrow at me, “What else would this be, Selah?” he asks, putting his arm back around me.
His fingers run along my arm again and my whole body awakens as he leans closer to me. “You said that you wanted to get dinner together. We just..” I trail off, realizing how dense I was being.
Why didn’t I realize that he wanted this to be a date?
He smiles at me, chuckling at my confusion. “Sweetheart we are two adults who are very attracted to each other, and have amazing chemistry every time we are together. If we go out and share a meal, and conversation, it most certainly is a date .”
His smile fades, and his gaze turns serious. “I don’t want to just be your friend, Selah. And I know this is complicated with everything that is going on in my life right now. But I always follow my instincts. They never lead me wrong, and when I met you they were screaming at me to not let you get away.”
I sit silently for a moment trying to breathe, shocked by his forwardness, but feeling myself also strangely very turned on by it.
He waits patiently for me to respond, and finally I find my voice again, crossing and uncrossing my legs as I try to ignore the ache between them. “I feel the same way too, Beckett. But I’m nervous,” I admit.
“Then let me take the lead, angel. I’ll help you get rid of whatever doubts you have. Trust me,” he responds confidently.
I look into his eyes and realize that everything I’ve been wanting is in them. I’m not going to let distance stop me from following what my heart is wanting, and needing.
“Ok,” I agree, smiling up at him.
He smiles back at me, leaning over and kissing my forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment. “Good. Let’s get out of here.”
He wraps up the bill and we make our way back to Upwood. Our drive back to my house is quieter than when we were on our way to dinner, both of us thinking over the evening.
When we get to my house, he parks right out front and helps me out of the car. We walk to my front door and I take out my keys, holding them and feeling unsure of what to do next.
I haven’t had a first date in almost two years, and I’ve never had a first date with anyone that makes me feel like I’m floating on air like Beckett does.
But just as he promises, he takes the lead, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me towards him. I place my hands on his chest and look up at his steady gaze.
“Spending time with you tonight was amazing, angel. I enjoyed every second of it,” he says.
“I really enjoyed it too, Beckett. All of it,” I agree, my voice wavering.
He leans down just as I push up on my toes. We meet in the middle, our lips joining together like they’ve been dying to meet forever.
His kiss isn’t soft, or timid. He kisses me without a hint of uncertainty, as if he knows, and has always known, exactly what I need.
His soft lips caress mine as his hand moves to the back of my neck, tilting my head as he slides his tongue into my mouth, making me whimper.
I cling to the front of his shirt, feeling like the Earth could fall out from under me right now and I wouldn’t even notice. Our tongues dance around each other and he groans deep in his throat, making my thighs press together.
His tongue moves from mine, and he sucks on my top lip before pulling away from me. I slowly blink my eyes open as my heart continues to race, and see him staring down at me with heavy lidded eyes.
“Let me come in, angel,” he rasps.
“Beckett..” I mumble, going to move back from him, but he holds me tight.
“We can just talk more, Selah. I don’t want to leave you yet,” he continues. His words sound sincere, despite the fact the look he is giving me screams “ Big Bad Wolf ”.
I bring my fingers up to my lips, still feeling them tingling from his welcome caressing. ”I’d like that, Beckett,” I finally agree.
He closes the space between us and takes my keys from me. He unlocks my front door, and takes my hand, leading me inside.