Page 20 of The Temptation
We stood at the corner, waiting for the light to change so we could cross the street. The wind raced between the skyscrapers, and I shivered, edging closer to Pierce so he could block more of the icy bite.
“I can’t help it. You’re so fun to irritate. But,” I hurried on when his mood turned yet again, “if you want to thank me, you can take me for grease and cheese.”
“More food? We just ate.”
The light changed, flashing a white walking figure. I grabbed his gloved hand and pulled him into the street toward the garage. “Yes, but the fish wasn’t that filling, and it was too healthy. Dinner with your parents was stressful. I want a reward of something greasy and cheesy. Do you know anywhere that sells pizza by the slice?”
Pierce opened his mouth, and I braced for the rejection I knew was coming. I had a few other weaselly, flirty arguments up my sleeve, but the words I was waiting for never came out. His expression softened, and he nodded once. “Okay. I know a restaurant across the river that does.”
“Seriously? You’re not bullshitting me, right?”
“Nope. A slice sounds good, and the location I have in mind has an excellent selection of bourbons. I think I’m in the mood for a celebratory Old-Fashioned.”
My mouth snapped shut, and I swallowed all my squeals of joy. I knew better than to press my luck. Dinner with the parents at a fancy restaurant was planned. Pizza and a drink? That was a bonus.
It was just after nine when we zipped out of Cincinnati and slid across the Ohio River to exit in Covington, Kentucky. I’d not done too much exploring on this side of the river since moving to the area. We passed an interesting hotel that was shaped like a cylinder.
“The top floor is a rotating restaurant. It offers a pretty good brunch,” Pierce murmured as we drove by.
“I’m always available for a pretty good brunch.”
He glanced over at me as we paused at a stop sign, one half of his mouth curled higher. “You seem very food-motivated, and yet you’re incredibly thin.”
“I love to eat,” I moaned, leaning toward him only to swerve back and slump in my chair. “The problem is, work makes me forget about things like eating, sleeping, bathing.”
“That’s not good.”
“Maybe I need to find someone who is willing to take on the task of reminding me to eat.” I fluttered my eyelashes at him. No, I couldn’t do subtle. It wasn’t in my vocabulary.
“You can also set your phone with reminders and alarms,” he pointed out.
Foiled again!
I’d expected it, but I counted it as a win since he didn’t sound annoyed. More like amused, as if he saw our verbal sparring as a game rather than a threat to his resolve.
Pierce parked his shiny BMW in an open lot, and we wandered into what appeared to be a quaint neighborhood of old homes and buildings surrounded by tall trees. Some streets were still cobblestone. Most of the places I spotted were bars or restaurants. Rainbow flags and signs fluttered in the winterwind, putting a smile on my face. At least this was a friendly part of town.
“Where are we?”
“MainStrasse. Though I think most people refer to it as The Village. It’s pretty much all local independent shops, bars, and restaurants. It gets busy here during the warmer months.”
“I’ll have to come back.” When it was a lot hotter. The restaurants and bars we passed looked lively, but the sidewalks and streets were almost barren. No one wanted to be out in this weather.
Thankfully, we didn’t have to walk far before Pierce ushered me into a tall, narrow building. As soon as he opened the door, the scent of melting cheese, oregano, tomatoes, and bread slapped me in the face. Holy fuck, it smelled like heaven.
Immediately on my right as I walked in was a long counter where several pizzas were on display behind glass while two men in black T-shirts were tossing dough and spreading sauce. Octagonal white tiles covered the floors, and old-fashioned photographs of Italy plastered the white walls.
“What are you in the mood for?” Pierce inquired.
“Everything.” I exhaled.
A sharp bark of laughter broke from him, and I jumped. He’d laughed. He’d actually laughed at something I said. For a moment, I locked up. My brain wouldn’t work. I was lucky I was still breathing out of habit. Had he relaxed with me?
Pierce cut off his laugh and cleared his throat. His expression became serious but not cold. That was progress too.
“I don’t think you have room for everything. They do New York-style slices here.”
“Oh. Yeah.Um…just a slice of pepperoni would be fine with me.”
