AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s very presumptuous and chauvinistic of you.” He smiled. “I’m very…”
“Good evening, Dr. King,” the server said.
“Hello, Avery.” He showed Eric a dark bottle with a cream label. “That will be fine.”
The server uncorked the bottle and filled two glasses, and placed one in front of each of them. “Your first course will be out shortly.”
“Thank you.” Once the server left, Eric lifted his glass. “Salud.” He took a sip and placed his glass back on the table.
Olivia took a sip and closed her eyes. “Smooth. Good body. Nice selection.”
“Thank you.”
She looked around the restaurant. This was not the kind of place she expected Eric to bring her. She thought they would be dining some place a little more trendy. She looked around and took note of the details. It was like dining in a Cirque de Soleil production with jazz.
“What kind of food do they…” Before she could finish her question, the server reappeared with an assortment of appetizers.
“Tonight, Mr. King has selected the Porcini mushroom caps stuffed with Prosciutto, scrambled hen egg, parmesan and chives, the Andouille sausage Pizzetti, and tomato and mozzarella kabobs with an aged balsamic dipping sauce.” He placed the plates on the table. “Will there be anything else?”
“That will be all, Avery. Thank you.”
“Enjoy.” He left.
Olivia looked at the assorted appetizers and then at Eric. “Excellent selections.”
“I thought you might like something a little different.”
The conversation was sparse over appetizers. Neither was willing to give in. Although Olivia was enjoying the meal, she refused to let Eric know.
Shortly after they finished the first course, the server reappeared pushing a serving cart. He cleared the plates, replaced the cutlery, topped off the wine in their glasses and placed a dome covered tray in the center of the table. He started to remove the tray and Eric stopped him.
“Is there a problem, sir?”
“No. I want to make sure the lady is ready for what comes next.” He looked at Olivia. “Are you ready for what comes next, or would you rather leave?”
She wasn’t sure if she was ready for what would come next. So far this evening, Eric had surprised and impressed her beyond her expectations.
“Yes, I’m ready.” She smoothed out her napkin and watched as the lid was slowly lifted. Her eyes got wide and she couldn’t believe what she saw. “I have never seen a steak that big.”
“It’s our boeuf pour deux with truffle parmesan pommes frites.”
“It looks delicious.”
“Will th
ere be anything else?”
“No, that will be all. Thank you,” Eric replied.
They managed to complete the gigantic steak with Eric eating the majority, and Olivia eating most of the pommes frites. Dessert was a very simple hot fudge sundae. But like everything else they had eaten, it was incredible. It was another item for two. The towering confection had vanilla, coffee, hazelnut and chocolate gelato sitting atop a huge brownie. The pièce de résistance, was the toppings…chocolate ganache, whipped cream with a hint of coffee liqueur, and a sprinkle of chopped almonds.
After dinner and listening to a little jazz, Eric drove Olivia back to her apartment. He was very careful in how he played his hand. He took note of the many times she made flirtatious remarks and tried not looking directly at him. He made it a point to get close, but never too close. He enjoyed watching her squirm.
He pulled up in front of her building, walked around the car, and opened the passenger door. He extended his hand to help her out, and quickly took it back. No physical contact. That was his goal. He wanted to make her want him. He followed behind her as he escorted her into her building to the elevator. He pressed the button and when the doors opened, he held them open until she stepped inside. She turned around and looked at him.
“Goodnight.”
“Excuse me?” This was a first. No man ever left her at the elevator. She figured this was just another one of Eric’s games.
