Page 33 of Love Is Ale You Need

“I’ll share.”

“Wait.” I sit back in my chair, eyebrows draw together. “You want to share your food with me?”

“Sure. Why not?” He shrugs. “That way, we get a little of each.”

“That’s just... not something I’m used to.”

“Sharing?”

“Pretty much. Ugh.” I lean forward, resting my elbow on the table. “I hate talking about the ex while on a date because it’s so cliché, and I definitely don’t want him back, but he was and unfortunately still is a part of my life. Anyway, the ex was very much against sharing food. It was just weird. It’s not like I was asking him to feed me or anything.”

Trey rests his hand on mine before flipping it over and intertwining our fingers. His dark gaze lingers on mine. It’s intense. My chest rises and falls with each passing second, waiting for him to say something.

“I’ll gladly share my food with you any day.”

A soft laugh escapes me. A part of me wonders if this conversation has steered away from food and on to something else entirely.

“I’ll even feed you if you’d like.”

This time it’s a full belly laugh. “Feeding me isn’t necessary, but I appreciate the offer.”

Hanging out with Trey is just… easy. We can talk about anything and everything and he still makes me laugh, and it’s been too long since I’ve felt this way. Forget doing sit ups, my stomach muscles get a workout just from talking with Trey. But fear firmly plants itself in my gut. What if I fall for this man and he breaks my heart? I don’t know if I can survive it a second time.

Luckily, the server arrives with the samosas, and I can concentrate on the amazing food in front of me instead of everything else. Before the server leaves, Trey asks for an extra plate. A couple of minutes later, our entrees arrive, and we dish up as if we’re eating family style.

Trey holds out a fork full of chicken and rice toward me. “You have to try this. It’s so good.”

I eye the fork and then Trey before leaning over and wrapping my mouth around his fork. His heated gaze drops to my lips as they slide off the metal tines.

“Mmm.” I finish chewing, then swallow. “That is delicious.”

We continue eating while sharing bites of food with each other. As simple as dinner is for a date, this has been one of the best dates I’ve been on.

The server drops our bill off at the table and immediately Trey slides it toward him. I reach for my wallet, and he cocks his head to the side. “What are you doing?”

“Oh. Um. I don’t want to be presumptuous.”

He leans forward, his voice is deep and silky with a hit of seduction. “Know this, when you’re out with me, I fully intend to make sure you’re treated like a princess.”

His words are a direct hit to my lady bits. When I’m with him, he makes me feel exactly that, and while I love the wining and dining, all I need is his companionship. I set my elbow on the table, resting my chin on my hand, and lean forward. “What if I don’t always want to be treated like a princess?” I wink.

Trey leans forward, mimicking my pose. “How do you want me to treat you?”

I bite my lower lip before lifting my gaze to meet his. “Like a bad girl.”

“But what if I like good girls more?”

“We could get out of here and see which one you get.”

He groans. “Fuck. Don’t tease me like that.” Our server strolls past us and does a double take.

My entire body flames red hot. I drop my gaze to the table and shield my face with my hand.

He chuckles. “You’re cute when you blush. On that note, let’s get out of here.”

I nod.

“Oh, wait.” He reaches behind him and digs out two red envelopes from his suit jacket. He fans them out toward me. “You need to pick our next activity.”

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