“I appreciate it.”
Luna sat back when the waiter brought their drinks and then took a deep sip of hers. She wanted to tell Davis something, and she needed all the extra courage she could get. After several deep breaths, she noticed Davis staring at her.
“Sorry. It’s just that I had this thought that’s so unlike me, and I’m kind of afraid of your reaction.”
“You don’t think I’ll be pleased with whatever you’ve come up with?” He relaxed against the back of the chair, looking every bit like the king of his domain.
“Oh, you’ll be immensely pleased. That’s the problem,” she muttered.
His grin spread. “Do tell.”
“It’s not aboutthat—so get your mind out of whatever gutter it just fell in before it drowns in wastewater.” She took another gulp of wine. “I saw this pretty picture frame in the store I stopped in. It had names and dates engraved on it,” she explained at his frown.
“Okay?”
She could tell he didn’t understand. “Wedding dates. Bride and groom’s names.”
Davis opened his mouth, but before he could respond the waiter came back around. They met each other’s gaze while the waiter set their food down and asked if they needed anything else.
“We’re fine, thank you,” Davis responded. He never looked at the waiter, or his food.
“Um, so, I had this vision of us. In my parents’ backyard, springtime. It was most likely too hippie for you, but I just felt so . . . blissfully happy at the idea of you and me.” Her face flushed when he didn’t speak, causing her to rattle on. “I know it’s too soon, and I’m not asking you to ask me or anything. Because we still have to tell our parents that we’re dating, much less moving in, but I—”
“Luna.” He sat forward, placed his hand over her heart. “I love what you described, even if it turns out to be ‘hippie’ or some shit. I love the idea because you had it and told me about it.”
“I figured you would.” She covered the hand that rested on her heart.
“It means you’ve thought about the future, and you see me in it. With you.”
“I do—I hope—I mean, I know there are a few obstacles yet.” She shut up, bit her lip.
“I want you to be mine. Have no doubts about that.” He ate then, and she watched him for a second before tasting her own food. Her throat felt awfully dry. She soothed it with more wine, saw another glass appear at her elbow before the waiter left once more.
“I know you do. That’s why I knew you’d be inordinately pleased.” Luna looked into her nearly empty glass for a moment. She wondered if she’d jumped some sort of official gun or something like that. She was basically asking for trouble by admitting she’d marry Davis in a heartbeat. Then again, maybe if he knew how serious she was about him, it would give her a greater chance of winning against his mother.
She hated that she saw it as a competition, but how else could she see it? At some point, he’d have to make a choice between her and his own parents. Nobody should have to make that decision. It physically pained her to think of it, so she pushed it aside.
“I am pleased, Luna. I love you. I don’t think you realize how happy this makes me. I have you, I have the job I want without a jackass boss breathing down my neck anymore. I have a few good friends, and that’s all I need.”
“You’re going to make me cry, Davis. All I want is for you to be happy. And if I can be a part of that, it’s even better.” Luna chuckled at herself. “Wow, one glass of wine is hitting me hard tonight.”
“That’s okay. Have another, let me drive you back to my place. I’ll be sure to take advantage of you later.” He winked.
“Yeah, I can guarantee I won’t mind.” She hadn’t minded any of the things he’d taught her so far. The positions, the pleasures. The way he gave up control without her even having to ask. She drained the second glass of wine and embraced the slight fuzziness it gave her.
“Do you want me to order a soft drink for you?”
Luna grinned lazily. He really was a gentleman. “No, but another wine sounds amazing.”
“On it.”
She felt herself grow warm, decided to eat before she got too distracted by how amazing Davis looked and smelled. She wanted to go home with him, to the place that would be theirs very soon, and get lost in him. His touch, his warmth, the way she could feel delicate one minute and strong enough to take him down the next. In short, she was ready to be thoroughly fucked.
“Eat your dinner,” she instructed.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Her limbs tingled. She didn’t know that was possible. “Baby, what are you gonna do to me when we get home?”
