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,sawedinto 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."
