Page 63 of Mercy (The Sins Trilogy 3)
I shake my head, amused and a little sad he’s tensing rather than relaxed about my gesture.
“Nope. No occasion.” I wrap my arms around him, linking my hands at the back of his waist, enjoying the feel of his hard body against mine. “I told you, it’s a date. I just want to be out with you.”
I place a soft kiss on his mouth, then the tip of his chin. Haven’t women ever done nice things for him?
Probably not, my mind whispers. Not any of his pieces of arm candy from before.
Well. That phase of his life is over. He should get used to being treated from time to time. The limo isn’t cheap, and neither is this restaurant, but it’s money well spent if I can show him he’s loved.
The host pulls out my chair, and I sit down. Tony takes his seat. We’re given the menu, and the host vanishes.
“If you wanted to eat here, you should’ve told me,” Tony says.
“Why?”
“So I could’ve rented out the entire place.”
His matter-of-fact tone surprises me. “Why would you do that?”
“To prevent any unforeseen disasters.” His eyes go flinty.
I can’t believe he’s still unhappy about that incident. It wasn’t even his fault.
“I doubt Audrey’s going to bother us again. And I don’t want you to rent out the whole place. I just want to go out and have a normal date with my man.”
Love shines in his brilliant green eyes. “Being normal is important to you.”
“It used to be.” I struggled so hard to fit in, to make people think I wasn’t broken. “But it’s not the most important thing anymore. What’s important to me now is being happy with you.” I take his hand, sliding my fingers along his.
His face softens, and he runs his thumb along my palm. “You’re so lovely.”
Pleasure warms my heart. “That’s why you’re marrying me.”
He smiles. “One of many reasons.”
Our server interrupts us to take our order. I get the smallest filet mignon, while Tony gets a porterhouse. We also order a bunch of sides that look interesting. Plus a bottle of Burgundy.
The server brings out our wine for Tony’s approval. Once Tony nods, the waiter pours two glasses and vanishes.
I raise mine. “To the most extraordinary man in my life.”
“To the most adorable woman in mine.”
We clink our glasses and drink. Neither dry nor sweet, it’s full-bodied, with a hint of oak and berries. And I’m enjoying it, enjoying the curve of his lips across the table.
Our food comes out fairly quickly. Tony and I take our time eating. It’s delicious, but the best thing is the company.
I watch the soft glow of the candle flames casting shadows on Tony’s face as he dines on his huge steak. He always looks so focused, except when we’re sharing a meal or just after we make love. Then he looks relaxed and happy.
We chat about our day, just sharing ordinary details. He asks me how I got a reservation here when I told him the date was totally spontaneous.
“Wei got it for me,” I say, slightly chagrined over using Tony’s own assistant to set this up.
“He did? Did you promise him a cupcake?”
“No. Should I have?”
“He was pouting because he didn’t get a bite this afternoon.”
