“Here we are,” he says, pulling slowly into a parking spot at an adorable tapas place. The parking lot is busy. The group currently exiting the building is laughing and smiling.All good signs. “They have so many options on the menu that I’m fairly certain they’ll have something you like. If not, I have a backup plan.”
“Which is …”
He kills the ignition. “Cook you something myself.”
“At your place?”
Our eyes meet, and the heat that passes between them could burn down the entire city. The air is charged, so thick with energy that it’s nearly alive. Drake’s gaze drops to my mouth, to the exact spot I highlighted with gloss, and then he licks his lips painfully slow.
A half smile paints his lips as his sight returns to mine.
“And that,” he says, grabbing the door handle, “is why we aren’t going with the backup plan.”
“But …” I protest, but he’s already out the door.
Dammit.
CHAPTER
FOURTEEN
Gianna
“This isadorable,” I say, gasping as I step inside Hess.
“Do you like it?” Drake asks, grinning because he already knows the answer.How could he not?This place is fabulous.
The space is bright despite the hour, with beautiful peach walls and fantastic maize-colored chairs. The drinkware reminds me of my favorite Depression-era glass in all the delicate, pretty colors. The music is soft but upbeat, and the art on the walls—sketches, sculptures, and tons of whimsical, mixed-media pieces—is nothing short of iconic.But the copper accents with a slight patina?I’m in heaven.
Off to the right is a piece of art composed of pages of books. Figures are painted onto the pages with each person or animal interacting with the words. A rope swing looped around aGwith a tiny mouse sitting on the seat. A woman has a leash tied around the wordwalkas if she’s taking it on a leisurely stroll and a chef stands at the wordcook, using the twoOs as skillets. It’s whimsical and so much fun.
“Are you ready?” Drake whispers from behind me, his breath hot against the shell of my ear.
I hum as my core clenches and goose bumps race along my skin. My body sinks toward him, desperate for contact. “If you really want to cook me dinner, keep it up.”
His chuckle rumbles through me, and I feel iteverywhere.
Drake nestles his hand in the small of my back as he guides me through the restaurant. His touch is gentle, his fingertips barely pressing the silky fabric of my cami into my skin. It’s a taunt. A tease. Hopefully, it’s a taste of things to come.
“Here you go,” a young man says, placing two drink menus on a table. “Jackie will be right with you. Enjoy.”
Drake thanks him and pulls out my chair. Once I’m seated, he sits across from me.
“This place is amazing,” I say. “How did I not know it was here? It’s so close to my house, too.”
“You would’ve heard about it sooner or later. It’s getting a lot of press.”
I pick up a menu and scan the offerings. There are so many choices that sound delicious. I can imagine being here with my friends, ordering drinks and laughing about our day.Astrid should have Gray bring her here. She’d love it.
“Do you know what would be fun?” I ask, spotting a mocktail section that would be perfect for Audrey.
“Yup.”
His tone—rich and rough—captures my attention. I lift my gaze from the menu in time to catch a roguish grin on his face.
“The backup plan didn’t have to involve cooking,” I say, casually. “You don’t need a kitchen to eat, if you catch my drift.”
“This is our first date.”
