For the next hour and a half, I keep my focus on Ryan. He has been a perfect gentleman with the occasional flirty line thrown in. He asked me what I would like to eat instead of assuming, and not once did he bat an eyelid when the waiter filled my wine glass numerous times throughout the evening—unlike Isaac. Every time the server returned with a bottle, Isaac’s eyes connected with mine. His lips would thin into a sharp line, and his brow would arch when I nodded at the waiters’ silent question of a refill.
Although it has been awkward sitting across from Isaac, the night has gone surprisingly well. But I swear if I hear, “It feels so big,” come out of Tatiana’s mouth one more time, I’m going to snap.
I was always under the impression restaurants made sure each of their patrons had their own chair to sit in, but apparently, no one has informed Tatiana of that. She's been sitting in Isaac's lap since the first course was served. Isaac doesn't seem concerned about her closeness, but I've heard several other restaurant patrons' gasps of disdain when Tatiana's immature giggles bounce around the restaurant. Tatiana is beautiful, but she is a dimwit. I'm surprised someone as entrancing as Isaac would have any interest in wanting to date someone like Tatiana.
This time, when Ryan places his hand on my bare thigh, I don’t jump in fright. Looking up from the extensive dessert menu, I lock eyes with his twinkling baby blues.
“What would you like for dessert?”
“Umm.” My gaze returns to the menu. “There are too many choices; why don’t you pick something for me?”
His face spreads with a full-toothed grin as he waggles his eyebrows. My interests pique when he swivels his back and sneakily orders from the waitress.What is he up to?
“It feels so big,” screeches Tatiana.
Gritting my teeth, I clench my fists around the white napkin on my lap. The urge to scream the obscenities running through my head is overwhelming. Before I can come up with a more respectable response, Harlow snarls.
“Okay, we get. It feels so big. It’s so big. Isaac has a ginormous cock, but can you please shut your mouth for the next thirty minutes so I can enjoy my dessert without having to hear your nasally whiny voice anymore? Thirty minutes of peace! That is all I ask.”
My eyes snap to Cormack, wanting to gauge his reaction to Harlow’s outburst. He is staring at Harlow in complete awe and admiration. Harlow gives me her “I’ve got your back” look. I bestow my silent thanks with a grateful smirk before turning my annoyed gaze back to Tatiana. Her mouth is ajar, and her slitted green eyes are shooting daggers at Harlow.
“You’re just jealous,” Tatiana sneers.
“Oh, honey, please. I have absolutely nothing to be jealous of.”
She doesn’t. Harlow wins hands down in the looks department and don’t even get me started on personality.
A bitter taste scorches my throat when Tatiana informs Isaac he can show herexactlyhow big it is tonight. Shifting my eyes to Isaac, I catch his gaze at me. WhenI grit my teeth and narrow my eyes, he winks.Arrogant asshole.
“Open up,” Ryan croons.
My lips curve into an illustrious grin when Ryan dangles a cherry in front of my mouth. Since I was distracted by Isaac, I didn't notice the waitress serving Ryan one of the biggest banana splits I've ever seen.
Feeling playful and a little tipsy, I accept Ryan’s offer. A long, salivating groan erupts from my throat when a burst of cherry goodness engulfs my tastebuds. Ignoring Isaac’s menacing growl vibrating across the table and Harlow’s boisterous giggle, I dig my fingers into the gooey ice cream and fish out a cherry from the sticky goodness for Ryan. My cheeks heat when Ryan’s teeth graze the tips of my fingers before his warm, moist tongue delves out to collect the cherry.Holy shit!
Ryan winks before leaning in close to my side. He is so close we could be perceived as an intimate couple. My eyes snap to his when he questions, “How far do you want to take this?”
My nervous eyes dance between his. “You’re striving to make Isaac jealous, aren’t you?” he queries my dumbfounded face.
My heart stops beating until I realize he doesn’t seem the slightest bit upset I’ve been using him to antagonize Isaac.
Twisting my napkin, I ask, “How did you know?”
“I’m a detective.” His mouth curves into a huge grin. “And I’m not just good at my job; I’m the best they have ever fucking seen.” He stills my nervous fidgeting before continuing, “That and the fact Isaac hasn’t taken his eyes off you all night.”
My eyes shift to Isaac, whose infuriated gaze is flicking between Ryan and me. His freshly shaven jaw is ticking profusely, and his hand resting on the white tablecloth is clenched in a tight fist.
“He will kill you.” My tone is crammed with sarcasm as I turn my eyes back to Ryan.
“Please, you don’t think I can handle Isaac Holt?” He smiles an evil grin. “The bigger question is, can you handle Isaac Holt?”
My pulse quickens as my core tightens. Not just at the idea of making Isaac jealous, but from having Ryan's incredibly handsome face so close to mine. "I can handle Isaac better than you think.” The alcohol running through my body is making me more brazen than usual.
"Alright, if you ar—”
Before all the words spill from Ryan’s lips, I enclose my mouth over his. A fiery warmth ignites in my chest from his skillful kiss. Ryan is a talented kisser, and he knows how to use his skills to his advantage.
Just as a throaty moan tears from my throat, an arm curls around my waist. With a growl, I’m yanked away from Ryan. At first, I'm too dazed to configure a response. My mind is a blurred mess of confusion, not just from Ryan’s thrilling kiss, but from a few glasses of wine as well. It is only when Isaac’s scrumptious scent fills my nostril does realization dawn.
