“I’m serious, Bryn.”
Her lips part, and she nods. “Aye. Okay, then. So am I.”
I hold her chin, not letting her look away. “You like a little excitement. Danger. Don’t you?”
She nods again, but a bit hesitantly as if she’s afraid she’s made a mistake by admitting this. Will I take advantage of her?
I will so fucking take advantage.
“That’s perfect, then.” I run my fingertips gently down her spine. “BecauseIlike control.”
I watch her chest heave when I put a little more pressure on her, watch how her pupils dilate.
“What kind of control?” she whispers.
I bring my mouth to her ear as we hear people approaching, laughter and the click of heels. “Everything.”
I release her and take her hand, strolling past the couple that walks next to us. Her hand is a little clammy. Nerves? Or something else?
A brisk wind kicks up, and I instinctively put my arm around her shoulders, shielding her from the cold as we head inside.
“Ooh,” she breathes, when I take her inside.
I don’t know if she’s tasted the finer side of things. Even growing up a rich girl, she’s been so sheltered.
“Have you ever been here before?” I ask her.
She shakes her head. Light strains of jazz play in the background. Tonight’s the live music night, and I know she likes jazz. The smell of roasted garlic and freshly-baked bread makes my stomach churn with hunger. It’s dark and elegant, with fresh flowers and formal attire, and one wall made entirely of translucent wine bottles.
“They grow micro greens right on the premises, bake their own bread, and import their ingredients straight from Italy. But they’re mostly known for their seared, marinated steak and hand-rolled pasta.”
“Mmm,” she says, rubbing her belly. “Okay, so that shortbread cookie seems like it was ages ago.”
I’m finding myself more and more attracted to her with every minute that passes, but if I let myself go there, if I weaken myself for even a minute, my plans arefucked.
“Sir?” I blink at a beautiful blonde waitress holding two menus in her hand. “Cowen, party of two?”
I nod, and offer my elbow to Bryn to take.
Thankfully, they take us to a secluded spot, a table in the back in a private alcove. No one will see us here. Though I'm not trying to hide, I would much prefer not having an audience.
I pull out the chair for her, admiring her sexy curves. She dolled herself up for this. I don't know much about what women do, but I know that breasts don't naturally almost fall out of a dress like that, she's got something pushing them up. I swallow hard. I imagine licking and biting them.
The stark white of her dress brings out the vivid beauty of her eyes, and as she tucks the chair under the table, I catch the faintest whiff of her perfume. Faintly floral, faintly spicy, fucking sexy.
I take my seat across from her. "Your wine menu, please.”
Bryn smiles. “Your entire drink menu, while you’re at it.” She gives me a teasing look. “You don’t need to drink wine on my behalf.”
“I like wine. Think I’m not refined enough?”
She shakes her head, her eyes dancing. The hostess smiles. “Yes, sir, right away.”
Bryn rolls her eyes. “She loved calling you ‘sir,’ did you see that?”
I chuckle. “What?”
She snorts. “It was like part of her entire act, falling all over herself seating you and calling yousir.She couldn’t care less about me.”
