Page 14 of Peak of Love
“Uh, um,” Roni stuttered as her eyes moved between the two of them.
“She’s kidding,” Dane said and pushed her towards the saleswoman. “Just grab her some things to try, please. I’ll sit right here.”
To appease Roni’s confusion, she confirmed, “Sorry to joke around, Roni. Though I wouldn’t say no to a Timbit.” Celina directed the last wisecrack at Dane as she playfully kicked his shin.
Celina started off with the dark jeans and long-sleeved shirt she grabbed on her way to the dressing room. Things went downhill from there.
Next was a black dress with a neckline way lower than she was used to. When she complained about it, her reward was a soft cashmere dress so tight it looked Saran Wrapped over her ass. When she asked for pants, Roni found her high-waisted gray slacks and a nice red sweater. That seemed like a suitable compromise between a hoodie and a cocktail dress, so she kept it on.
“OK, I’m ready!” she called out after folding her old clothes to put in a bag.
Surprisingly, instead of finalizing the bill with her so she would know how much to pay him back, Dane was standing by the door with multiple shopping bags.
“We’re late, let’s go!” he called out.
“What? I need to pay for the—”
“Yeah, yeah.” He rolled his eyes while dismissing her concerns. “I don’t want to lose our table. If it makes you feel better, you can buy brunch.”
“Fine,” she said, not wanting to upset Roni, who was on her toes looking unsure and anxious. When she walked out with Dane, though, Celina lodged her complaint. “I don’t need all these clothes, you dork. Now she’s gonna be upset when I return them.”
“Then don’t return them.”
“Oh, c’mon, Dane! Don’t be so—”
“Hungry? Too late.”
He was hungry alright. Every outfit Celina tried on seemed tailor-made to make his lower body ache with need. And he wasn’t talking about his stomach.
The black dress skimmed her mid-thigh, showing gorgeous legs with shapely calves. The neckline exposed smooth, soft skin begging to be licked by his tongue and marked by his teeth. She’d always had a great rack, but did she get fuller since high school? Was that a thing? Or maybe he just never really looked at her.
Today, though, sitting by the dressing room with a three-angle mirror, there was no looking away. When she came out in that skin-tight sweater dress, he thought of a Playboy Bunny. Something about the curves of a full-figured woman wrapped in the soft fluffiness of cashmere made him imagine a little bunny tail on that grabbable ass. He was a truly deranged man.
At least he could get through the brunch while she was wearing slacks and a sweater. Normal “dating” clothes. Celina wanted some help with her mojo from clothing to conversations. No sweat. Dane just had to stop salivating over the cleavage peeking from the V of a sweater the color of her lips.
“What do you recommend?”
“They have a tasting menu. I know you like a bit of everything instead of an enormous meal.” This was a fact. If Celina didn’t have to prepare proper meals for her boys, she’d live off tapas and pretzels. And donuts.
She rubbed her hands together excitedly and wiggled on her seat, making her chest bounce. Good grief.
“This is gonna be awesome!” she gushed.
He couldn’t help the tilt of his lips, although he wasn’t here to be amused. Dane was determined to remain focused and serious and helpful.
“Do you actually want to do this practice-dating thing or what?”
“What do you mean? I got dressed up, right?” She put her hands under her chin and leaned over the table, serving up her breasts and making his mouth water.
“Don’t bash me for saying this, but someone who doesn’t know you well might take your eagerness the wrong way.”
“What way?”
“TheI’ve never eaten anywhere but Chuck E. Cheeseway.” He knew he sounded gruff. He couldn’t help it. Dane was battling multiple fronts here. Bunny tails and low necklines and adorable enthusiasm.
He focused on the waiter approaching from behind her shoulder.
“Hello and welcome to Louie’s Bistro. Good to see you again Mr. Verghese. Can I start you off with drinks? I see you’ve arranged for the tasting menu. I would recommend the lavender and passion fruit mimosa, although we have a full bar.”
