Page 11 of Away in a Tentacle Lair
“God, that was terrifying,” Leo mutters.
“It's better when you're the one in control.” I did not feel like I was in control, something I quite like when I'm not navigating narrow roads. “We can get a cab back.”
“I don't mind. I could stomach it once more.”
“It's fine. This way, I can have a glass with the meal.”
As we head to the main door, the gravel crunches under our feet, proving my focus isn't where it should be. I'm more worried about my family risking everything to destroy the pumps insteadof enjoying my date. I've never eaten here before, but I know Nicholas booked ahead.
“After you.” Leo holds the door like a gentleman, and I slip through ahead of him.
“Mr Briareus,” the waiter greets, glancing down at his seat plan. “If you'd like to follow me.”
“I could get used to this kind of attention,” Leo whispers against the shell of my ear, and my body gives an involuntary shudder.
“I hope this table is to your liking,” the waiter waves us to a secluded table for two overlooking the bay.
“Thank you.” I sit, jumping as Leo stands behind me to tuck me in.
“The ocean looks beautiful, a shimmering carpet of blue.”
I follow his gaze to the window and watch the sun reflecting off the rippling surface like golden sand.
"Pretty neat, huh?" I tease my voice light, though my chest thrums with the thrill of enjoying this place with him.
“It's more than just neat. Does everyone here know who you are?”
“They recognise me as one of the family,” I sigh at my notoriety. At least I have an alibi for the attack rather than my usual place alone in the sea. Maybe that was my family’s true motive for this date. “I doubt they know my name or that I can hold my breath for near record-breaking time.”
“The world record is twenty-four minutes, mate; you're not even close.” Leo laughs at me in a friendly way that makes me laugh, too.
“You know what I mean.” I smile, placing my hand over the wine menu. Sparks fly up my wrist as his hand covers mine. His gaze catches mine as I turn.
“Let's just try the house white,” he suggests, his voice as romantic as any compliment could.
Your eyes are as blue as the sea.
Let's just try the house white.
It's nearly the same thing.
“You're not into expensive wines then, MrI've got my name on some prestigious research paper?”
"Never been to a place like this before," he confesses. “This place is a bit posh for a marine biologist hopeful.”
"Me neither," I admit. This luxury setting is different to my usual scene, but seeing Leo's reaction makes every penny spent on the reservation worth it. “I'm just a free diver who's nowhere near the record holder. And I get jitters beyond twelve metres deep.”
“So calling you my Ocean Prince would be a bit of a stretch?”
“Well, I'm working my way up to King of the Waves,” I chuckle. I need a name to call him, but with his feet firmly planted on the side of ocean destruction, nothing I can think of sounds right.
The waiter comes, and I order a bottle of their house white and the prawn cocktail starter.
“Locally sourced?” Leo challenges as he takes his first bite.
“The prawns?” I frown. “Those cold water creatures found in the northern hemisphere?”
“Yes, those are the ones.” At least he sees the funny side of my comment. “They would have been local if I was at home for Christmas.”
