Page 37 of Bloom: Part 2

“Not at all, but just so you know, even when you’re not dressed like this, I still find you sexy.”

“Good, because I can’t promise I’ll dress like thisallthe time. It’s not that I’m uncomfortable, but it’s new, and I’m a little self-conscious about feeling…”

“Feeling what?”

“You know, sexy.” He squirmed in his seat, his face scrunching up in a frown. “I’m a biker—an enforcer. No one’s ever cared about what I look like, and I never cared what anyone thought either. But I like when you look at me as if you want to tear my clothes off and fuck me.”

A server approached him from behind but halted as though he wasn’t sure whether to back up or move forward.

“Just an iced tea and orange juice for now,” I said. Without a word, he nodded and beat a hasty retreat. “I think the whole kitchen is about to know our business. Let’s take a look at this menu. Pick whatever you want, and I’ll order for you.”

“Can you…read it to me?”

Shit. I’d forgotten he had difficulty reading. “Sure.”

I opened the menu and read through the options. “Green pea and mint soup with a dash of crème fraîche and homemade bread…”

“I don’t even know what crème fraîche is.”

“It’s like sour cream but richer and thicker. You might like it.”

He didn’t know half of what was on the menu, but I patiently explained. In the end, he told me to pick something I thought he would enjoy. He wanted to try something new, which I liked. There was so much I had to teach him.

I ran my finger down the menu, considering the options with Bloom’s tastes in mind. “How about a truffle omelet with parmesan, chives, and a side of roasted fingerling potatoes? And maybe we’ll add a smoked salmon tartine topped with avocado. That’ll give you something new without straying too far from flavors you know.”

“Sounds fancy.”

“Only the best for you. If you want, we can come here every week so you can try something new.”

“Really?”

“Yes, there’s a lot I’d like to teach you about, and food is one of them.”

“Why?”

Why was he frowning? “Why what?”

“Do you want to teach me new things? Is it because I’m stupid?”

What the hell? I dropped the menu and drew a sharp intake of breath. “Is that the way I make you feel?”

“It’s no secret I never did formal learning.”

“That’s not what I asked. Have I ever made you feel that way?”

“No.”

“Then I don’t want to ever hear that from you again. Sweetheart, you’re smart. You just lack experience. It’s not your fault other things took priority over your education.”

Bloom fell silent, weighing my words as he studied our intertwined hands on the table. Then slowly, more to himself than to me, he muttered, “You’re right…I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bother me. Sometimes I think what if you wake up one day and realize I’m not good for more than sex. But the sex is crazy good, right? Is it enough for you, Logan?”

“Bloom, I’m not with you just for sex. Do we have amazing chemistry? Sure, we do, but I love that I get to be the person you experience your firsts with. You think I mind taking you around and showing you stuff? I want to take you on your first plane ride and fly to different countries. To dine at the Eiffel Tower with you, to take the London tour bus and see the great sights, and to stroll through Tokyo’s cherry blossom parks.”

“All that traveling sounds scary.”

“I know, but I’ll be right there with you.”

He gave a nervous laugh. “It doesn’t matter, since I can’t travel without proper identification anyway.”

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