Part 3 (1/2)

”This is one of the restaurants the front desk recommended,” Paul told me. ”Should we try it?”

”Yes,” I said, already opening the door to walk in. I loved Italian food and this place looked wonderful. Walking to the hostess, I told her we needed a table for two. Picking up two menus, she motioned for us to follow her. We got to a little table in the corner and sat down. Looking around, I couldn't help but feel the charm of the restaurant. It had the typical red and white-checkered tablecloths and a candle burning at each table. Soft Italian music was being played through the speakers, giving it an authentic feel. A few tables were occupied, but it wasn't noisy which I was happy about.

Looking over the menu, I decided on the spinach ravioli with an asiago cream sauce. I hadn't had anything since lunch and I was starving. I ripped open a roll and slathered it with b.u.t.ter, taking a big bite. Hearing Paul's laugh, I looked up at him, chewing and swallowing my roll.

”What?” I asked him, dabbing my mouth with the napkin.

”You're just cute. Most women would refuse to eat the roll or at the least, take dainty bites, but not you.”

Feeling embarra.s.sed, I set my roll down. ”Sorry, I'm just so hungry. I haven't had anything to eat since lunch.”

He reached over and covered my hand with his. ”Aly, please. Don't apologize. I said it as a compliment. I think it's very refres.h.i.+ng that you don't pretend to be something you're not. I love that you are comfortable enough with me that you can dive into that roll.”

Relieved, I picked up the roll and took another bite. Chuckling, Paul took his hand back and continued to look over the menu. As soon as he lifted his hand from mine, I felt the loss of it. Sighing, I continued to eat the roll when our server finally came to take our order.

”Good evening and welcome to Luigi's. I'm Tate and I'll be your server tonight. Would you like me to tell you our specials this evening?”

We both nodded. Tate smiled and indicated to a chalkboard on the wall, listing the specials and their prices.

”We have a delicious chicken gnocchi veronese which is made with a variety of cheeses served over a bed of noodles. Our second special of the night is our famous mouthwatering linguini in a light saffron sauce. This dish is my absolute favorite. Are you ready to order, or may I start you out with some appetizers?”

Paul raised his eyebrows to me and I shook my head. ”I think we'll just skip right to ordering our meals,” he said, indicating for me to go first.

”I'll have the spinach ravioli with the asiago cream sauce, please,” I told him.

”Anything to drink?” he asked.

”Water is fine.”

”Are you sure, Aly? I was thinking of ordering a bottle of wine,” Paul interjected.

”Oh, you were? Well in that case, yes please,” I said with a little smile.

Paul's burst of laughter warmed my insides and I couldn't help but join with him. ”That settles it, then. Your finest bottle of wine and I will have the chicken fettuccine,” he told Tate.

”Both great choices, but you really can't go wrong here. I will go put your order in and bring you our finest wine.” Gathering our menus, he turned and walked through the swinging doors.

Paul grabbed a roll and split it open. ”This place smells delicious, doesn't it?” he asked as he b.u.t.tered his roll.

”Yes,” I said, breathing it in once again. ”I cannot wait to eat. I'm starving.”

Paul sat back in his chair, looking at me. His green eyes had a darker tone to them tonight, one that made me suddenly feel little currents run up and down my arms. What was he thinking?

”How are your parents doing?” he asked.

My parents? That was not something I would have guessed was on his mind. Not wanting to show my surprise, I took a sip of my water.

Tate returned with our bottle of wine. ”Here you go. This is our finest in the house tonight. It's the 2008 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon at $135 a bottle. I hope it meets your satisfaction.” He uncorked the bottle. Pouring some in our gla.s.ses, he told us our meals would be out shortly then left us to our drinks.

”My parents are doing well, thanks,” I answered after Tate left. I started twisting my hair around my finger, trying to keep myself busy and not focus so much on how s.e.xy he was. ”They just got back from yet another cruise to the Caribbean and had a fabulous time.” I took my first sip of the wine. I moaned in pleasure when I tasted it, it was so good. Looking at Paul, I saw his gaze was focused on my lips, then at the hair wrapped around my finger. Realizing I showed a little too much pleasure at the wine, I blushed.

”I'm glad to see you like the wine.” He winked at me. Now it was my turn to watch as his full lips met the wine gla.s.s and he took his first sip. Watching him swish it slowly around in his mouth made my stomach flutter. When I saw his eyes on me as he swallowed the liquid, they burned right through me and I couldn't breathe. It was the s.e.xiest thing I had ever seen and I knew I couldn't hide it.

”d.a.m.n,” he said. ”I really like this wine. I'm going to have to buy a bottle to take back home.” He swirled the wine in his gla.s.s and took another sip, still not taking his eyes off me. I knew I was staring but I couldn't help it.

He raised a brow and chuckled. ”I'm not sure if it's me or the wine that you're enjoying at the moment, but I'd prefer to think it's me so don't tell me if I'm wrong.”

Blus.h.i.+ng again, I averted my eyes to my own wine gla.s.s and took another sip. ”Well, in that case, I won't say anything at all, Pierce.”

He put a hand over his heart. ”You wound me, Chase,” he said, using my last name for the first time that I could recall. I found it cute.

”Well, you did tell me not to say anything if you were wrong. I'm pleading the fifth,” I teased as Tate brought us our meals. Setting them down in front of us, I about died at the aroma. I was so hungry.

Once Tate left, I dove in. I didn't even care anymore if Paul thought it cute or not. I just needed to satisfy my hunger.

Paul took a gentle bite of his food and I laughed. Shoving my hair behind my ear, I took another bite of mine. The asiago sauce was amazing. I reveled in it, then took another sip of wine. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.

”How's your food?” he asked.

”Oh my gosh. It's so good, Paul. How's yours?” I asked between bites.

”It's good, but I'm afraid not nearly as good as yours. Do you mind if I have a taste?”

I shook my head. He leaned over and stabbed a piece of ravioli with his fork. For some reason, sharing my dish with him seemed intimate, something that couples would do, even though we weren't. I looked to see his reaction and could tell he loved it.

”Mmm, that is good, Aly. I wish I would have ordered this instead.”

”You can have as much as you'd like,” I offered to him. I'd offer him anything if it would make him happy.

”No, I don't want to take away from your meal. I want you to enjoy every bite.”

Not arguing, I took another bite. Deciding to have another roll, I reached over to grab one when apparently Paul had the same thought and did the same. We laughed as both of our hands grabbed the last roll.

”You go ahead,” I told him.

”Please take it,” he said at the same time.

More laughter. ”No, seriously Paul, take it. I have the better meal tonight. It's the least I can do,” I told him.

”I will take it, then. Thank you very much.”

I took an extravagant bite and made a show of enjoying it. I moaned over and over at how good it was and put a hand to my throat. When I'd swallowed the last of it, I finally looked at him to see if my show had worked.

I think it worked, but not in the way I'd expected.

Paul had a look of pure desire on his face and there was no way for me to deny it. I guess I went too far in my overacting. Feeling stupid, I just sat there, not wanting to bring any more attention to myself.

”I have to say, I wish I was that meal, Aly,” he said quietly.

Jolts went through me. Looking down at my plate, I suddenly lost my appet.i.te. I couldn't think straight.