Page 48 of Don't Look Down
Placing my hand on his shoulder, I lean down to press a quick kiss to his cheek. “Hey, you. How’d you manage this?” His scent teases me briefly before I round the table and settle across from him.
His teeth flash at me when he smirks. “What?”
“Don’t play coy. You’re already seated, and the wait is usually at least thirty minutes on a Saturday. There’s no way you got here that much earlier than I did just to snag a table.”
He laughs. “You’re right. The hostess recognized me and offered to seat me as quickly as possible. I couldn’t refuse her kind offer.”
“Oooh, perks. I’m here for it.”
Landon smiles then reaches for a glass of water on the table. As he drinks, my gaze is drawn to his Adam’s Apple bobbing with each swallow. My mouth is suddenly a desert as my thoughts try to veer into naughty territory. Dragging my eyes away, they land on another glass of water on the table. I grab it like a lifeline, sipping to quench my sudden excessive thirst.
“So, have you had a chance to look over the menu?”
He shakes his head. “Not just yet. I figured I’d wait for you.”
Be still my heart.Such a gentleman.It’s not a date, Sky.
“Aww, thanks, boo.” I lift my menu with a flourish and clear my throat. “Now, what are you in the mood for?” A beat of silence follows, then I lift my eyes to his. Those green orbs seem to burn with fire, then he blinks, and it’s gone.
“What do you recommend?”
“I’m definitely getting a peach bellini to sip on. It’s my fave. I find mimosas too acidic.”
He nods, considering. “Yeah, I’m not a fan of mimosas. I was thinking of sticking with water. I’ve never had a bellini, though.”
Bobbing my eyebrows playfully, I lean forward and bite my lip. “I’ll pop your cherry then. You can taste mine.”
His cheeks turn pink, and a laugh bursts forth. “You’re trouble, aren’t you?”
Oh my god, the blush kills me. So fucking cute. My smirk is nothing short of mischievous. “Maybe.”
“No ‘maybe’ about it.”
My mouth opens to respond, but I’m interrupted by our waiter. Which is probably a good thing. “Welcome. My name is Mack, and I’ll be your server today. Can I bring you something else to drink?”
“I’ll have a peach bellini, please.”
The waiter turns to Landon to ask, “Anything else for you, sir?” then makes his way off when Landon declines.
“What about food?” I ask.
“What do you recommend?”
My time to shine. “Are you in the mood to satisfy your sweet tooth or eat within your nutritional guidelines?”
His eyes close and a pained look crosses his face. “I’d love to indulge the sweet tooth, but I’ll behave.”
My naughty smirk is back in full force. “Behaving is overrated.”
His laugh causes warmth to unfurl in my gut.
“I’m getting the bananas foster French toast with bacon. It’s what I always get, because I refuse to deny my sweet tooth.”
“Fuck, that sounds good.”
My eyes flick up to meet his. The green draws me in, and I momentarily lose my train of thought. “Um.”
One brown eyebrow lifts. He doesn’t say anything, just waits patiently.