Page 90 of Fall I Want
Once he’s satisfied, he turns to her, narrowing his eyes, then checks his watch.
“Did you have issues finding it?” This man is intimidating.
“No, Mr. Alexander. Please, accept my apologies,” she offers.
“If we could be seated now, I’d appreciate it,” he snaps.
She fumbles with the menus as she leads the way.
“After you.” He holds out his hand for me to go first.
Heads turn, watching us like we’re royalty. When he notices, Zane pulls me closer toward him. Someone lifts their phone and takes a photo. The flash gives them away. Then I see another person do it, too.
“Zane Alexander,” I hear a woman whisper, and more people notice us. He interlocks his fingers with mine, then slightly increases his pace enough for me to notice. The spotlight isn’t a place I’ve ever stood and I don’t think I want to.
He whispers in my ear, “Ignore them.”
When she removes the private rope from the stairs that lead up to the balcony that overlooks the golf course and mountains, I almost gasp as I climb them. It’s where celebrities and world leaders dine and it costs over ten grand to book. I’ve only dreamed about what it must be like to experience this.
Zane allows me to go first, and I glance over my shoulder at him. His brow pops and I smile, continuing to the next level. Whenwe’re close to the table, he pulls the chair out for me, then sits to my right. His hand rests on my thigh as leather-bound menus with gilded pages are slid in front of us. The display of candles in the middle flickers from the surrounding movement.
He glances over at me.
“Enjoy your visit, Mr. Alexander,” the hostess states with a curtsy. He nods, giving her nothing else, and she immediately leaves.
“Did you have to be like that?”
“She was a bitch toward you. So yes, I had to be like that. Be grateful I didn’t fire her on the spot.” He says it nonchalantly.
I watch him, knowing he’s serious. “Do they all greet you like royalty?”
“Yes,” he says, focusing on the menu. “Even royalty.”
My lips part, and maybe I’m just as guilty as the woman who sat us and I don’t realize the magnitude of this man. “Who are you?”
“The heir of Xander Resorts and Enterprises. A total asshole. I’m also a brother. A son. A kick-ass friend. Oh, and a damn good lover.”
He focuses on my mouth before meeting my eyes. “And a tease,” I add.
This makes him laugh. “I don’t want to rush anything. Especially not with you.”
We both focus back on our menus. The next time I steal a glance at him, he catches me. It’s nearly impossible to hold back a smile. Right now, I want to stare and admire.
Moments later, Harper approaches and sits in the high-backed chair in front of Zane. “You’re early.”
I realize the table is set for four.
“By five minutes. You know I don’t like tardiness,” Zane states. “Your date?”
“He’s coming,” she says, lifting her hand and waving. I focus on Zane, and over his shoulder I see the last man on earth I expectedto find walking up the stairs: Sebastian. He’s zeroed in on me, then he waves at Harper.
Zane hasn’t noticed because he’s staring at me. “You tensed. Are you okay?”
“I—”
“Hello,” Sebastian states as he slides into the seat across from me. I study the menu as my heart rate increases. He shouldn’t be here.
“Look who I ran into earlier,” Harper states. “Oh, how rude of me. Sebastian, this is Autumn. My brother’s girlfriend.”
