Page 44 of Dirty Desires
“Thanks, Ty.” A knock at the door had me turning around. “I bet that’s him.”
Peeking out the peephole, I saw Ashton wearing a black suit and tie and looking like a million dollars. I opened the door, and he reached out to take my hand. “You look amazing, Nina. I knew you would.” He fingered the necklace that he’d given me. “It all looks perfect on you, just the way I imagined it.”
Sandy cleared her throat. “Hi there.”
I turned to introduce Ashton to everyone. “This is my roommate, Sandy. And that’s Sloan standing next to her. And this is Ty.” Ty had come up to stand behind me.
He reached out to shake Ashton’s hand. “Hi.”
Ashton looked a little confused as he said, “Hi. Nice to meet you guys.”
“So, you’re taking her out to a fancy dinner, huh?” Ty asked.
Ashton nodded. “I am.”
“What time are you going to have her back home?” Ty asked.
I laughed and pulled on Ashton’s hand. “Come on, Ashton. He’s just kidding around with you. Night, guys. Be careful out there.” I closed the door behind us.
As we went to the elevator, Ashton looked at me with a puzzled expression. “And who is he to you, Nina?”
“I think he has the hots for me. But he’s a nice guy. No one to worry about,” I let him know.
“Okay. If you say so.” Ashton pushed the button on the elevator and off we went to our first official night out.
The restaurant was even better than I expected. The ambience was amazing, and so was the food.
The waiter brought us a bottle of wine—a ‘07 Alfred Gratien Cuvee Paradis from France, which cost $230 a bottle. After our glasses were filled, I leaned in close to whisper to Ashton, “You really are breaking the bank for this date, aren’t you?”
When his fingertips grazed along my jawline, I nearly melted in my chair. “I want to show you how much I appreciate and care for you.” His lips barely touched my ear. “Baby.”
The way the term of endearment made my stomach flip gave me all kinds of ideas about things to come.
This night is going to be a dream!
The appetizer arrived and my eyes went wide as saucers as I looked at the marvelous creation that was set before us. Named Three Shells, it consisted of a variety of chilled shellfish. Fresh abalone was garnished with citrus, soy, and lime. Kumamoto oysters were covered in cucumber champagne mignonette. Then Taylor Bay scallop ceviche was mixed with sea bean, tomato, and coriander.
Ashton fed me a tiny bite of each. He had no idea the effect he was having on me as he placed the food in my mouth. “It’s fantastic.”
I picked up a tiny fork and stabbed a scallop, then fed it to him. He moaned as he chewed it. “You’re right, it is amazing.”
The appetizer alone was enough, but there was more to come.
The main courses were just as decadent. He had black sea bass that had been sautéed with lobster brown butter. It was served with grilled artichoke ravioli and fresh artichoke.
I had poached Nova Scotia lobster. It came with sweet and sour butternut squash risotto, Trumpet Royale mushrooms, and even brussels sprout leaves.
“This meal is so impressive.” I finished off the last bite, cleaning my plate.
He looked at the empty plate with a smile on his face. “I’m impressed too. And now for dessert.”
The only thing I wanted for dessert was him.
But he’d already ordered, it seemed. Our waiter came and cleared our plates as the dessert was delivered by a very proud dessert chef. “Our famous Chocolate Brooklyn Bridge. It’s made with milk chocolate Marquise, raspberry sorbet, vanilla ice cream, crisp meringue, and topped with a dark chocolate glaze.”
“It’s gorgeous,” I remarked. “I’m sure it tastes as good as it looks too.”
The chef nodded, then left us to enjoy the decadent treat.
