“You look beautiful tonight,” I said, moving my lips close to her ear.
She gripped my shirt and held on tighter. I closed my eyes and held her to me. I could feel her heart beating against mine. We didn’t have to say a word as we danced, listening as the song played.
I pulled back and looked at her. Her eyes were glazing over with tears.
“Liza, I want to wake up every morning to your beautiful smile.”
Liza smiled and wiped away the single tear rolling down her cheek. She was about to say something when the DJ sped it all up. I spun her around a few times as we both laughed and made our way back to our table. Our flirtatious waitress came up behind me, placing her hand on my lower back. I took a step away from her and just stared.
“Anything else you…need?” she asked, as if Liza wasn’t sitting right there.
I slowly took my seat. “I think we’ll take the check so I can continue this evening with the woman I love,” I said.
The waitress’s smiled faded. She whirled around and headed to the bar to get our check. I shook my head and looked at Liza. She was attempting to hide her giggle.
“What?” I asked.
“Is it always like this? Wherever you go, the women all flirt with you? Is this something I should just get used to now or should I look into branding your forehead with Bitch He’s Mine?”
I gave Liza my sexy grin. I glanced up at an older gentleman who stood by our table.
“Hello, I’m Ted, one of the managers here. How was your dinner?”
Ted looked at Liza and smiled. He completely ignored me. Liza raised her eyebrows as Ted continued to stare.
“Our dinner was amazing and everyone here is very friendly. Is that our check?” I asked, taking the check from Ted’s hand.
Ted nodded and winked at Liza. She finally couldn’t hold back her laughter any longer. I reached for my wallet as Liza giggled.
Ted smiled and said, “Well, enjoy your evening y’all.”
I tossed my money onto the table and took Liza’s hand. “Come on,” I said. “It’s on to the next part of our date.”
As we walked out, Liza was making a joke about the hostess saying goodnight to me when I spun her around and pulled her to me. Backing her up against the door, I kissed the hell out of her. It got us a few hollers from guys in the bar, but I didn’t care. I wanted everyone to know who I had eyes for.
When I pulled away, I smiled at Liza and took a few steps back. I’d left her breathless and she was trying to regain her composure.
“You don’t play fair,” she nearly whispered.
I took her hand and pulled her out the door. “No ma’am I don’t.”
WALKER HAD DONE a good job of putting me into a daze as we were leaving the restaurant with that surprise kiss. We walked arm in arm down Second Street, making our way to Congress. A cold front had come through; it was beginning to get chilly.
“You know, it was sunny in Florida. I didn’t pack for cold weather,” I said, snuggling closer to Walker’s warm body.
Walker chuckled and said, “We’re almost there.”
I pulled back and looked up at him. “Almost where?”
“It’s a surprise,” he said, a devilish smile on his face.
“How in the world did you arrange something when I’ve been with you all evening?” I asked, snuggling back up to him. He pulled me in and ran his hand up and down my arm. The friction warmed my body instantly.
“I have my ways, Taylor Elizabeth Morris.”
I smiled. “You used my full name. Am I in trouble?”
“Do you want to be in trouble?” he asked.