I smile back, enjoying the sight. She’s pure magic.
“Not your gut? What does your gut tell you?” She says, relaxing a little.
“If I trusted my gut, my reputation as a gentleman would be tarnished.” I glare at her, then her lips, and inch my body closer to hers.
She shimmies her shoulders, and her cheeks blush.
“Gentlemanly reputation? Hardly,” she giggles and rolls her eyes yet again.
She catches her bottom lip between her teeth, biting down hard on it, and she swivels the red liquid around in her glass.
“If I did everything my body told me, we would be consummating our engagement on this table.”
Her smile fades, and her eyes fill with desire as she stares at me. Her lips part and her breathing shallows.
“Is that so? And how would that happen?” She asks, moving her hair to one shoulder. It’s her go to move when she is hot and bothered.
I lean closer and move our wine glasses out of the way. I reach for her hand and hold it in mine, massaging it gently with my thumb.
She stares down at my work and then looks back up at me. Almost begging me to kiss me.
“I can show you.”
Inches away, I can feel her breathe on me—it’s hot and tastes sweet.
I lean over…
“Look who it is! My favorite couple.”
Lis Langely appears out of fucking nowhere.
Are you fucking kidding me?
Elsa immediately retreats from me, taking her hand in her lap and interlocking it with the other. Now sitting straight up in her seat.
It’s as if she’s been chastised for doing something wrong.
I look at her, feeling a pinch of sadness and pain as I continue to reel from the sudden distance of our bodies.
No, Angel, everything about that was so right.
I stay as I was, leaning over the table, and turn my head towards our annoying pest.
“Ah, Lis. Can’t say it’s a pleasure.” I’m seething as I speak, and I place my hands underneath my chin, lifting it up at her.
“Now, why would the two feuding lingerie designers be together? In this luxurious and romantic spot?” She waves her hands around like a mime, gesturing towards things that make no sense.
“We’re hungry,” I say, nonchalantly.
“Are the two now lovebirds? Canoodling behind close doors? What will happen to their competing brands? Will they mesh as one and live happily-ever-after as a Pretty Little Angel or Dirty Little Vixen?” She continues to speculate, and I see Elsa cover her mouth, hushing a sudden burst of laughter.
“Clever, Lis,” she manages.
I shake my head and grab Elsa’s hand, forcing her from the table with me.
“Looks like we need to get going. Excuse us, Lis. Have fun bullshitting.” I wink at her, and maneuver Elsa and I through the crowded restaurant.
I spot our waiter on the other side of the dining room and stride towards him.