Page 120 of Tease Me

“Good.” He nodded and led me to a taxithat waswaiting in the drop-off zone.

He opened the door, and I slid in. He slipped into the back seat beside me, and I assumed Corben must’ve already told the driver our destination as the car pulled out into the evening traffic.

Corben smelled divine, an intoxicating mix of cologne and leather.

He turned to me. “Hope you’ve got your dancing shoes on?”

I glanced at my shoes and cringed. The last thing I’d thought Corben would suggest was dancing. “Well, they’re not as high as some of my shoes.”

“Good.”

We drove in the opposite direction to the casino and headed toward Surfers Paradise.About ten minutes later,we pulled into a taxi zone near Cavill Avenue.Corben gave the driver twenty dollars, and we stepped outat the same time.

Walking side by side, we strolled up the crowded mall. Despite being a Wednesday night, people were everywhere. I shouldn’t be surprised—Surfers Paradise was a party hotspot, no matter which night of the weekit was.

“Hungry?” Corben asked.

“Of course.”

“Good.”

He put his hand around my waist and led meoverto a hotdog stand. I nearly chuckled. Was he joking?

“Hey Johnno, how you doin'?”Corben leaned over the counter and he and Johnno sharedsome kind ofritualistic handshake.

“Corben, how’s my man?”

Corben turned his attention to me. “Johnno here makes the best hotdogs on the Eastern seaboard.”

“Oh, good.” I searched my date’s eyes, almost anticipating him toburst out laughingand declare this a big joke. But he didn’t.

“So, what would you like?”

“Ummm . . .”AsI scanned the blackboard menu, totally bemused by this weird turn of events, Corben stepped up to the counter.

“I’ll have the usual.” He turned to me. “I can recommend the grilled bratwurst and the smoked Kransky, and Johnno makes hisownketchup.”

“Excellent.” I hoped I didn’t sound too sarcastic.

Deciding I had no other option, I studied the menu more extensively. If I was going to do this, Iwas going todo it properly. Maybe Corben was testing me, seeing how I’d react to thisratherunconventional dinner choice.

“Okay, I’ll have the Magnum PI.”

Corben raised his brows. “It’s spicy.”

“I noticed.”

“Okay then.”

He turned to Johnno and ordered my meal.

“Extra bacon, please.” I touched Corben’s arm for his attention. “And a water.”

“Roger that.”

Ten minutes later, carrying our dinner, Corben led me to a bench seat in the middle of the mall, and we sat opposite each other.

I needed both hands to pick up my hotdog, and right from the very first bite, I was sold. The brioche bun was fresh, the sausage was justthe right amount ofspicy, the smoked ham and fresh pineapple added nice twists, and the homemade ketchup was to die for. We atein silence, sharing our glances between our food, each other, and the crowd around us.

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