hands to myself,” I murmur. I take her hand and lead her out of the door. She locks up and leans into me as we walk.
Once downstairs, I open her door for her, and she slides in elegantly. I lean in and kiss her forehead as I stand there. “You look fucking ravishing, Angel. The most beautiful woman I have ever seen,” I state before shutting her door and heading around to my side. Starting the engine, I pull out and drive through the city to the restaurant. I can’t help but reach over and lay my hand possessively on her thigh, but she likes it.
“So where are we going?” she asks excitedly.
“To a little restaurant I love, Zodiac. It’s intimate and has amazing food. Chef Emilio is an artist,” I tell her, squeezing her thigh.
I glance over at her. She’s watching me hungrily, so I narrow my eyes. “Keep looking at me like that, Angel, and I’ll skip the meal and eat you instead.”
“Promise?” she purrs.
Groaning, I squeeze her thigh again. “Behave, I’m trying to be a gentleman here.”
“Gentlemen are boring, I prefer my dirty daddy.”
This woman.
I clear my throat and change the conversation. “It was actually one of the first restaurants my company was commissioned to work on.”
“Oh wow, really? I can’t wait to see it!” she gushes, and I grin wider, knowing she actually means that.
“I can’t wait to show you,” I admit. “It’s one of my favourite spots.” I pull up outside then. Turning off the engine, I slip around and help her out of the car, kissing her cheek as I do. I hold her hand and turn to the valet, passing over my key. He smiles and gives me a ticket before rushing around to park the car for me.
We head inside, and when we are waiting to be seated, I watch her. Her mouth is open in shock, her eyes wide as she looks around. “Tyler, it’s beautiful,” she whispers in awe.
I look around, seeing it for the first time through her eyes, and it makes me fall back in love with the place all over again. The ceiling is glass to see the stars. The walls are covered in plants and lights to make it cosy and artsy. The floor is a white marble, slowly rising up the farther back you go. It has accents of gold and black, both very modern and boho like the owner wanted. It’s a big space that used to be a warehouse originally before we knocked it down. We kept some of the structure but not all.
She turns to look at me. “You’re incredible.”
“No, Angel, that’s you,” I reply, as we reach the front of the queue. The maître d’ looks up and smiles wide.
“Mr. Phillips!” he greets, coming around to shake my hand. He smiles at Lexi as well. “And your lovely date! Come, your normal table is all ready for you, and Emilio is excited to have you back. He has some new dishes you have to try!”
“Whatever you choose will be perfect as always,” I offer with a grin as we’re led through the tables to one towards the back. It has a good view of the restaurant and stars, and has the flowers behind us. It’s where I always sit.
I pull out Lexi’s chair, and when she’s seated, I push it in, murmuring, “Nothing will taste as good as you,” in her ear.
Then I sit as well and accept the menu. “We’ll choose our own starters, but please tell Emilio to cook whatever for mains.” I look at Lexi. “Trust me, Angel, he is a true artist, you will love it.”
She nods. “I trust you.” She reads her menu. “It all looks amazing.”
I laugh and address the waiter. “Give us a moment. Angel, want some wine?”
“Yes please, white.”
He nods and rushes off to get a good bottle. I look at her, not the menu, and she finally glances up, meeting my eyes with a smile “What?”
“Nothing, I missed you is all,” I murmur.
Her smile widens. “I missed you too. It seems I’ve gotten used to your company.”
“Used to?” I laugh. “Wow, you make me sound so charming.”
“Oh, you’re charming alright. Any more, and I might melt into a puddle here and now.” My eyes sharpen at that, dropping to her body before I slide them back up and meet hers.
I can be patient. I can romance her, seduce her, but she doesn’t want it. I see it in her eyes. She doesn’t