He stopped walking, bent down and kissed her. “Calm down and that mouth. You should have stayed in with me tonight. You are really cranky, honey, and I think we both know why.”
She frowned in response and then smiled a very small smile. “Possibly, but she still pissed me off.”
“Natasha!” he admonished. “Such language. I can let that one go as she has obviously offended your working class roots, but no more. I could get her fired if you’d like me to. I play golf on occasion with the CEO of the chain,” he said seriously.
Tasha thought for a moment making and wondered if he’d really do that for her.
Jim laugh, “She offended you that much? One word is all it would take, baby.”
Clearly, his offer was a genuine one. She shook her head, not wanting to lose anyone their job and realised they’d arrived at the steakhouse.
Chapter 40
They were seated in the middle of the restaurant. It was as they waited for their food, and with a slug of wine Tasha bravely asked, “Can I say something without you going ballistic?”
He frowned at her, unsure what she might ask that could make himgo ballistic. “Yes, of course, but please think about what you’re going to say before you say it because I don’t want to fight with you, not tonight.”
“It was never my intention to taunt you earlier. I was just trying to make a point thatmost men,” she said, making inverted commas with her fingers, “judge their sexual prowess by their ability to make a woman achieve an orgasm, not the opposite, like you.”
He stared at her blankly, but now knew exactly what could make him go ballistic, but for now he was keeping a lid on it, so she continued.
“As soon as I heard the words aloud and I saw the expression on your face, I knew you hadn’t taken them how I intended. I also knew there was no point in trying to explain at the time, but I want you to know that I wasn’t taunting you. I wouldn’t do that anymore than I would want you to taunt me with details of your past relationships, but I am sorry that you got that impression.”
He was still staring at her. “I can see your point, but I meant what I said, I don’t want you to ever discuss the details of your past sexual experiences in any detail like that. Now, whilst I may share a witty story or retell something I remember from a previous relationship over dinner or in passing, I would never, ever mention any of my exes literally whilst we were in bed, together, intimate and I expect the same from you. I’d assumed that was already understood.”
“That seems more than reasonable, and I am sorry,” she said sincerely.
“Speaking of that incident, how is your ass?” He smirked.
“Very hot and rather red,” she replied smirking back, not regretting the heat and throb in her behind. “Although, having established the sentiment of my comment, it was totally unwarranted.”
He shook his head. “I disagree. Your sentiment was unclear, but the inference was crystal clear and I was mad as fuck,” he whispered across the table.
“Yeah, me and my ass got that message loud and clear.”
“Are you sore?” he asked.
“Very,” she said and then looked confused. “Oh, you’re still talking about my ass, sorry, yes that’s very sore too.”
He laughed loudly, causing people around them to look across. “I like you, Tasha. You make me laugh,” he said as the waiter returned with Tasha’s medium ribeye and Jim’s rare T-bone.
As they were left alone Tasha asked, “Why Vegas?”
Jim almost choked on the piece of steak he had just put in his mouth.
He chewed and swallowed before answering, “To get married?”
She nodded.
“I dunno. It started off as a joke really; I told you. I’ve been married in a church, a hotel, by the J.P. on an exotic beach, on a yacht and on a cliff, so after I separated from Esther, number six, Marc and I got drunk one night and discussed all of my wives, the pros and cons and joked that if I ever found one with all of the pros and none of the cons I should marry her immediately. Make her lucky seven, by whisking her off to Vegas,before she had time to change her mind, according to Marc, but the idea of it just kind of stuck in my head and then when I met you, well...” He continued to eat.
“So, you think I have the pros of all of your ex-wives? That’s hardly complimentary. I am sure someone as infuriating as me must share some of the cons too.” She bristled slightly.
He smiled and explained, “That does sound pretty offensive when you say it back like that, sorry. There are certain qualities we look for in a mate, and I suppose that’s what I mean by the pros, the qualities I like, and the cons would be the less desirable qualities. You have all of the qualities I have always sought, and then some.”
“And the less desirable ones?”
“Hmmm; the mouth, the profanities, your insistence on calling me James, your inability to follow through with agreed instructions, knowingly putting yourself in danger, but I also kind of like those too, to some extent, even the more infuriating ones, because they make you who you are and maybe if those were taken away you would be too perfect. Perfect would be no good, I need some reason to take you task,” he grinned as he continued eating.
