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38
Elizabeth
“This place is really nice.” My heart beats a mile a minute as I sit in the chair Xander pulled out for me.
He takes the seat across from me, a bright smile on his handsome face. “I was aiming to impress you. Did it work?”
Returning his smile, I nod before flipping open my menu. He definitely pulled out all the stops for our first date. He showed up at my door all dressed up with flowers in his hand, then drove us to this fancy restaurant.
To be honest, this place is not my cup of tea. I feel out of place and unsure of myself here. Most of the items on the menu don’t even sound appetizing. Not that I’ll be able to eat with my stomach in knots.
The restaurant is quiet, though most of the tables are occupied, the soft sound of classical music filling the air. My eyes roam around the room, taking in the large chandelier and expensive art on the walls. I don’t know much about Xander yet, but I can’t imagine there are a lot of college students who would bring their dates here.
When my gaze lands back on him, my heart flutters. He’s so damn gorgeous. Being here is totally worth it, as long as I get to be with him.
His eyes lift, catching me staring, and his lips curve into a smile. “This place is a bit much, isn’t it?”
“Maybe a little,” I answer, holding up my thumb and pointer finger.
Xander laughs and I join him, finally feeling a little more at ease.
“Hey, beautiful…” Brenden squeezes my hand. “Where did you go?”
I look over at him and smile, snuggling further into his side. “Nowhere,” I lie, shaking my head. “I was just thinking about how perfect all of this is.”
“Really?” He exhales, his body relaxing next to me.
It’s our first official date since our night in the hotel together—since we agreed to be more than friends—and he’s been visibly nervous all night. I was anxious myself until we arrived here.
My first date with Xander was nerve-wracking and awkward. So, I was expecting my first date with Brenden to be the same, but this has been nothing like that.
Brenden brought me to a winery in the country forty-five minutes away. We’re currently sitting in their wine loft overlooking the vineyards on our second tasting. This is the perfect date.
“Really.” I stretch to reach his cheek, planting a soft kiss there.
Guilt twists in my stomach. There’s still a part of me that worries being here with Brenden somehow discredits my love for Xander. All night I’ve noticed myself comparing the two men and our different relationships.
Thing were a little bumpy when I first started dating Xander. We were in the process of getting to know each other. I made concessions and molded myself to fit better with the things he liked because I wanted to be with him.
It’s different with Brenden. We spent months getting to know each other. We’ve already seen each other at our best and worst. We know each other’s darkest secrets. Being with Brenden is easy. I’ve never felt the need to be anything other than who I am.
Xander was a choice for me, and I put in effort to make our relationship work. Brenden was never an option. He was this gravitational force that I couldn’t fight. When I’m with him, it feels like I’m exactly where I should be.
“Thank god.” He sighs, then kisses my temple. “This dating stuff is a little foreign to me. I know this isn’t a typical first date type of thing, but I couldn’t stand the thought of sitting across a table from you at some fancy restaurant and not being able to touch you. I don’t want to relive that torture.”
I laugh as he tightens his grip on me.
Frowning, he adds, “I don’t know, though. I’m starting to think this still isn’t an intimate enough setting. Is it wrong to tell you I can’t wait to get you back to my house?”
My face heats as I look up at him through my lashes, the awakening ache between my thighs causing me to cross my legs. It’s been weeks since our night together in the hotel room and I’m beyond ready for more.
Our relationship is still new though, and I’m not ready to bring him around the kids. That means our time together, for now at least, will be limited. Especially that kind of time. So, I plan to take full advantage of it tonight.
“No, I don’t see anything wrong with that at all.” I smirk, placing my hand on his chest. “In fact, I’d be okay with having you all to myself every date.”
“Oh, trust me, beautiful…” he says as he leans in and pushes my legs apart, littering kisses along my jaw while his hand trails under my skirt and up my thigh, “that can be arranged.”
Brenden
