I shift in my seat, finally breaking the connection, and turn to look at Hannah.
“And you, my dear?” the waitress asks.
“Me too.”
“She’ll have the same,” I tell the waitress for her.
“Très bien,” she replies with a curd nod and retreats. Leaving us in the wake of our decision of what chef’s choice really means for me.
11
HANNAH
I’ve never had such attentive service at a restaurant before or so many meals. There’s been a tiny appetizer dish before each course. Hugo said it was meant to be a palate cleanser from the previous that will help pair well with the next.
So, this final dessert dish will be the eighth plate pushed in front of us.
We all selected thechef’s choiceoption at Dane’s recommendation so all our entrees were the exact same, however we were asked what our preference was for dessert. Sweet or tart?
Both Ethan and I said tart and were given a lemon lavender fruit cup. I’ve never consumed any form of lavender before, but as I take my first bite, my eyes flutter and my jaw drops.
The taste actually brings out a smile from me, it’s so good.
“Oh my god,” Ethan mutters as he finishes swallowing.
This is probably the best dessert I’ve ever had in my entire life.
“Oh man, thisoneis good. Here, try this,” Dane says as he dips his tiny spoon into his creme brûlée dish. There’s a glassy crunch as he presses through the top shiny layer, scooping up the custard and lifts it toward me.
Instead of handing me the spoon, he leans forward, holding it a few inches from my mouth as his eyes bounce between my eyes and lips.
My tongue darts over my bottom lip, as my teeth rake over the surface, before I lean in, slowly opening my mouth. Dane presses the spoon on my tongue and I wrap my lips around the stem as he inches it back out.
Oh my god. There’s an explosion of heavy flavors on my tastebuds. It’s decadent and sweet. So soft and creamy. I’ve had creme brûlée before but nothing like this.
My eyes widen as I peer over at Ethan. He’s gripping the table, looking between the two of us then clears his throat.
“That good, huh?” Ethan asks.
“You have to try it,”I sign to him, but Dane’s already refilled the spoon and is holding it in his direction. There’s a brief pause as he looks down at the spoon, up at Dane, then back at me.
He’s always been so reluctant to try new things, so I’m shocked when he reaches his hand out and takes the offering from Dane.
Dane smiles as his hand retracts, then says, “You won’t regret it.” There’s a sensuality behind his tone, but I’ve come to realize with him that he lives in the flirt zone. I swear everything he says is either ridiculously funny, over the top sweet and serious, or so sexy it lights my core on fire. I have no idea how he balances it all so well.
It’s not just me either. He speaks to Ethan the same way and I love how easily it affects him. Ethan is so high strung all the time, yet I’ve seen him let loose more times today than ever before.
After only one day of hanging out with Dane, I know if we could explore with anyone I could be comfortable doing that with him. I’m not a hundred percent certain he’s into guys, he hasn’t flat out said it, but if I were to guess, he likes us both.
Ethan and I have been talking for what feels like forever about his bisexual curiosity. I know he’s embarrassed by it, or maybe just shy to explore it. But, I feel anxious about it. To see him get pleased by another man, for me to please a man in front of him. The thought of all the possibilities excites me like nothing else has.
Meeting Dane in Paris, the way we did, feels like a bit of kismet, and I want to take full advantage of the opportunity. Ethan is a lot of things, but assertive in his sexual desires—especially the one he’s been suppressing—is not one of them. I know I’m going to need to step in and make the first move if anything is ever going to happen. And, god, do I want it to.
Lifting the dessert toward his mouth, he takes a bite, then returns the utensil to Dane.
Dane smiles and without dipping it back into the brûlée, he takes the spoon in his mouth, wraps his lips around it and pulls it back out, licking off the excess completely.
“Mmmm, delicious,” he says.
