When we walk in, she turns to me. “Did you bring me here because of my mad love for cheese?” I nod, and she moves to stand almost in front of me, and I’m thinking I’m the luckiest bastard who’s ever walked the earth because I can see every fleck of gray and green in her eyes, and I can smell her perfume, and I can feel the heat her body is throwing off. “Thank you.”
I don’t do a lot of first dates because I don’t really date. I have sex. But I have a good feeling about this one.
CHAPTERSEVEN
BELLE
I don’t know how I got so lucky, but this is either one really thoughtful guy or he’s really good at pretending he is which has worked out pretty well for me so far.
My body is still vibrating from the motorcycle ride, and I’m struggling to keep my hands off him. He’s like a prince charming who understands a girl’s love for cheese. I am having trouble believing he’s real. Caleb more than convinced me that men don’t generally care what a woman wants. So it’s hard to believe this guy might.
The restaurant is classy and decorated in deep browns and vibrant rust colors. The booths are fabric covered and the tables look to be granite. A couple candles sit in the middle and add to the quiet ambiance of the place. There are a few couples spread throughout the dining room, and the hostess leads us to a wall booth that is halfway between the kitchen and the bar.
He sits across from me, and again, I’m struck by how good looking this guy is. I mean, not average good looking. He’s Brad Pitt in Legends of the Fall good looking. He’s the guy in the men’s cologne commercial good looking. He’s the kind that women like me don’t get to sit across from in cheese restaurants with him dipping his pretzel in our vat. He’s dark haired, dark-eyed, and the sleeve of tattoos is the kind of bonus I didn’t know I like. But now I’m hyper aware of it. I like it a lot. I like it so much I’m staring, thinking I’d like to trace the thick black lines.
With.
My.
Tongue.
I’ve devolved.
Am fully prepared to be the caveman in our relationship.
And we don’t have a relationship. It’s one date. And if I don’t quit staring there won’t be a second. I’ve taken staring to the level of creepy that is probably enough to make him want to run screaming from the restaurant.
Of course he can’t because the waitress is standing close to his side of the table. Her knees are probably poking him in his hip.
I can’t even be mad. Yes, we’re on a date, but this guy is like no one I’ve ever seen before. Magnetic. Beautiful on a level that men aren’t generally. Not the ones who bring me out anyway. And he’s rugged handsome. Lumberjack handsome.
“Can I start you off with a drink?”
He smiles at me when I order a sweet tea and he orders one too. “The sweeter the better.”
The waitress is about to gush all over him, and all I can think is,Girl, I know the feeling.
When she goes away, he opens his menu and stares for a second while I wait like we’re playing peek-a-boo. When he looks around the menu at me, I smile.
I see you.
“What do you think? Maybe an app platter and then we can see how we feel after?”
I don’t know that I’ll be able to eat anything right now, but I nod. “Sounds good.”
He turns his menu toward me like he’s reading me a book and then points to the Alpine Fondue. It’s Gruyere, Raclette, Fontina, white wine, garlic and nutmeg. It’s served with bread and croutons and an assortment of vegetables and pretzels.
“That sounds amazing.”
When he orders, I watch him. His confidence–the smile says he’s not cocky but has a way with women–is intoxicating. Who needs alcohol? I’m drunk on this guy.
He glances at me, smiles again and this time bites his lower lip and in my head, I’m moaning. Fortunately, I keep the sound blockaded in my throat. But dear God. He’s too much to resist. I’m not even going to try.
“I have to tell you… this is already one of my top ten all time dates. And it’s kind of surprising.” There’s no limit to the number of dumb ways I’ll start a conversation. Case in point.
“Surprising?” The head tilt and half smile don’t detract from his overall hotness and it’s distracting.
“Uh-huh.” And I know he’s waiting for me to expand, but the words are tangled in my head right now. I breathe in slow, huff out the exhale and smile, trying again. “I have a history of choosing guys who… they’re jerks. But you’re not.” I click my tongue against my cheek. “I’m kind of good at handling jerks. So, I’m a little out of my depth.”
