Once we were seated, I looked around the restaurant. The floors were a beautiful hand-scraped wood, and the colors were very simple, black and white, with large chandeliers. It reminded me a lot of Callum’s house. On the far side of the room was a glass panel running the full length of the wall, and behind it was the open kitchen where they were making and preparing the food. There were about twenty large round tables spread throughout the main floor, with several tables on the border for couples. I guess because we had the reservation for four, they sat us near the center of the room. I looked to the second balcony, wondering how many other tables were up there, and caught those familiar blue eyes resting on me. I think if I didn’t find him so incredibly sexy, it would be creepy, but I don’t know if there was anything about him that could be creepy.
I wiggled my fingers at him with a small wave, and he sent back a wink. My legs reflexively clenched together, because of the things he did to me. It was just a wink, but fuckin’ aye it was the best goddamned wink.
It was a wink filled with a promise of sex. Lots of amazing rock your world sex. Sex that makes you forget your name and where you are. The kind of sex-
“Everlee?” Lizzy asked, concerned.
“Yea?”
“Your cheeks are flush and you’re panting.”
“Sorry.” I blinked hard and returned to my menu, but not before I saw the hint of a smile playing on Callum’s lips. It’s like he knew the effect he had on me and he enjoyed watching it.
The head server was over a minute later introducing himself, with two others behind him. Three servers? The younger one, named Sven, began taking the extra place settings off the table while the second server name, Isla, filled our water glasses. “The owner has prepared a special menu for you both tonight. He called them bite flights to make you…” he looked around uncomfortably and dropped his voice, “moan.”
My eyes shot open wide, and I looked around the restaurant. I knew he had to be hiding somewhere. The sneaky bastard.
“Ooh I do love a good moan.” Lizzy said.
I looked up to the second level and found him standing there with a cheeky grin.
I scowled playfully and pointed my finger.
“He also wanted me to tell you, your meal is on the house tonight.”
I looked back up at him, and he blew a kiss, smiling. I mouthed the word thank you, and he winked back. What was it with those boys and their winking?
“You will have fifteen total plates, with a drink pairing for each. Each drink has been carefully selected and paired with your bite flight and will be approximately two ounces. Once complete with the starters and main course, you will have a flight of desserts served with a coffee.”
“Wow. I have no words other than I’m so excited to try anything and everything.”
The servers all smiled and dipped away.
Lizzy grabbed my hand and whispered. “You said you didn’t sleep with anyone.”
I chuckled. “I didn’t.”
“Then why… all this? A special menu? Comping our dinner? This would have to be almost a grand for tonight.”
“I don’t know.”
If Emmett was the owner here, then why was he bartending at Vixen?
“We need to find out more about these boys.” I nodded to the second balcony and saw the four of them were deep in conversation, pointing at something on the table. Likely a drawing of some sort. I realized this was the first time I’d caught Callum not looking at me. It was intoxicating to watch him. The way the heel of his foot was propped on the chair leg while his hands gripped and rubbed into his thigh. The way his jaw moved when he spoke or how the light reflected off pieces of his hair.
The server returned with the first tray and a printed menu of all the things we’d be trying tonight. In front of me was a small salad in a glass twice the size of a shot glass, paired with a white wine. I picked up the small fork and carefully stabbed it into the glass, capturing all the ingredients for the one perfect bite. I placed it in my mouth and my eyes nearly rolled into the back of my head. When I opened my eyes again, I saw Emmett and Callum watching me. Emmett had a huge smile spread across his face and he turned to say something to Callum, who nodded, smiling. I had a feeling it was about me and I was dying to know what it was.
Callum caught me and signed, ‘Eat your food and stop watching us’.
How did he know I knew ASL?
I signed back. ‘Thank Emmett for us’, followed by my command for him to stop watching us.
He smiled, and I watched his lips move towards Emmett, who snarled at me when he sat back down, causing me to chuckle. Then Callum signed back, ‘Maybe I enjoy watching you.’
‘Maybe I like watching you too.’
With that, I turned away before I could see his response. I felt like I was in high school passing secret notes to a crush, only now I was signing in the middle of a very expensive restaurant.
