“If you’ll excuse me, I need to visit the restroom.” Alex stands from his seat, leans down and kisses Lisa on the cheek. “I’ll be right back.” He smiles down at her, then turns and walks off. Lisa watches him go, then turns her gaze back to Jill.
“Well, that’s Alex.” Lisa grins, looking between Jill and Tad.
“Lisa, he seems really nice. The way he looks at you is very sweet.” Jill turns to Tad and says, “Like the way you look at me.” Tad winks at her. She looks back at Lisa, mouthing WOW. Lisa laughs, her fingers covering her lips.
The waiter returns with the vodka tonic, water, coke, and two Jack and cokes. Sipping her drink, Lisa makes a soft sound of appreciation when the burning of the vodka touches her throat. “This is nice.”
Jill takes a drink of her Jack and coke, then makes a face and sputters. “Wow, I think it’s Jack and a splash of coke.” Picking up her napkin, she touches it to lips and Tad chuckles. “What’s funny?”
“Nothing,” Tad grins. “I’m just glad you think it’s strong, too. I didn’t want to look weak if I admitted how strong it was.”
Jill huffs playfully and rolls her eyes. “Thanks, honey.” Lisa smiles.
Alex makes his way back to the table. “I see I came back just in time.” Taking his seat, he leans over and kisses Lisa on the cheek. She smiles and Alex picks up his drink. “To new friends.”
He lifts his glass and everyone follows, repeating, “To new friends.”
The conversation went on about the dates Lisa and Alex have been on, what Jill and Tad have been doing, and what the plans are for the weekend.
“Beef Wellington?” The table runner approaches with a tray of food. Jill raises her hand with a smile, looking at her dinner. The food is handed out as the hands rise to the called dishes.
Alex looks at Jill’s plate and raises his brows. “Now that looks amazing.”
She nods as she picks up her knife and fork. “I intend to eat every bite of it, too.” Her eyes do not leave her plate as she begins to eat. Tad chuckles as he looks at his steak. Lisa’s looks over her Chicken Paillard with a smile, feeling her mouth salivate. Her gaze moves to Alex’s plate of Apricot Lamb Chops and Sweet Potatoes.
“I might let you try mine if you let me try yours.” Alex’s gaze lifts from Lisa’s food to her eyes.
Laughing, she nods her head. “You better. That looks amazing.”
The conversation flowed throughout the evening, as they enjoyed their meals and nursed their drinks. The music changed as the DJ sets up towards the back of the restaurant and people begin moving to the dance floor. Alex stands and reaches for Lisa’s hand, pulling her to her feet. “Come on beautiful. Opah!” He laughs and Lisa grins.
“Are you going to bring out your dancing shoes again tonight?” she asks.
Alex shrugs as his arm moves around her waist. “Only if you want me to.”
“I do. This music I can dance to. Greek-style? Not so much.”
“Then I look forward to this. Let’s go.” Alex pulls Lisa out onto the floor, while Jill and Tad remain behind.
The DJ plays popular music heard on the radio, some artists Lisa’s met through work. Alex pulls her close and leans close to her. “You look beautiful tonight. I want to dance with you right here, like this.” Lisa looks up to him as her breath catches from the intensity of his gaze. Her hands move up his arms to his shoulders. Her body flush against his, he moves to the rhythm of the music. Their legs move between one another as he buries his face in the nape of her neck. His hands move up her back to her neck. Running his fingers into the nape of her hairline, he tilts her head back slightly and brushes his lips on her neck. She inhales sharply, her lips parting as sensations move through her body. He moves a hand down her back and Lisa pulls herself closer to him. He rests his forehead against hers, looking into her eyes. The blue of his irises captivates her. Her fingers grasp the back of his neck, and her heart beats against her chest as she tilts her head up to capture his lips.
The moment their lips touch, Lisa pulls back and looks up at Alex. She can see the pain in his eyes. “I don’t want to hurt you.” The words leave her lips and she watches him. She can see something troubling him, but doesn’t want to push him into finding out.
“You won’t,” he tells her. “I won’t let you.” He kisses her, hard. Sweeping his tongue across her lips, she gasps, opening her mouth for him. His tongue, his lips, everything about this moment shuts out everything around them. There are no sounds, no people. It’s just Lisa and Alex. His fingers grip her harder, groaning against her lips. He pulls away from her. Lisa fights to regain her balance from the intensity of his kiss.
Lisa looks up at him as the sounds return and the dancers around them reappear. He’s panting and looking like he’s in real pain. “Alex?” Lisa takes his face in her hands and looks at him.