The waitron poured the blood red wine in my glass after James tasted it and nodded approvingly. I took a careful sip it stung my tongue and my tastebuds rebelled against the bitter-sour taste. I tried not to pull a face, but it didn’t escape James who laughed behind his hand at me.
“What is this?” I asked, putting down the fragile crystal glass with care.
“Merlot. You get used to it.” he said.
Not on your life.
His eyes were twinkling in the soft light.
“Yeah, I know it’s an acquired taste. I’ll teach you.”
“I thought you didn’t want to corrupt me.”
“This isn’t corrupting, it’s a teaching experience.” He laughed low, next to my ear and I couldn’t help the goosebumps appearing on my arms and neck. “Come here.” He cupped my face with one hand, moving my face towards him. He licked his lip, and I smelled the heady almost fruity smell of the wine on his tongue. He leaned in closer, smiling those blue eyes drawing me in once more. I closed my eyes and felt his lips on mine, gently probing with his tongue to enter my mouth. It opened of its own accord and his tongue slid in between my teeth, colliding with mine, teasing, moving in and out. Oh. My. God.
I felt my panties getting soaked. What the hell was that now? I can’t get all hot and bothered for James. This was just a game to him. He broke the kiss, sucking in my lower lip and let it go with a pop.
The waitron was patiently waiting for our order next to the table. I felt like sinking into the plush seat. Please, just swallow me in, I thought breathlessly.
“What would you like to eat, Love?” James asked, giving me a naughty wink.
I felt my face grow scarlet. Curse my ability to blush so easily.
“Umm… What do you recommend, James dear?” I could barely speak, and I wasn’t sure if I still had the ability to read.
His hand on my thigh gave it a quick squeeze. Smiling, he took the menu and ordered our food. I didn’t even listen to what he said, feeling the wetness between my legs seeping through to my thighs. Heavens… I excused myself to go to the loo, wobbling away on my high heels.
***
I took my time in the bathroom, trying to get back my composure. Damn!
A tall Brunette walked into the ladies. I watched her as I washed my hands under the cold water. I badly wanted to splash some on my heated cheeks but for fear of ruining my makeup I didn’t. She came up to me and I turned to her surprised.
“Can I help you with something?” I asked her.
She had her hands in her sides, looking me up and down as if the cat dragged me in there. I frowned back at her. She was beautiful, like a model, long legs, skinny with big boobs. Unlike me. I was curvier, and a head shorter than her.
“Is James dating teenagers now?” she said, cocking her head to one side, one perfectly sculpted eyebrow lifted.
“Excuse me?” I asked. Who the heck was she? “Do I know you?”
She laughed, showing perfect teeth. “Little girl, does your mother know you’re out after curfew?”
My face flared up and I was slowly losing my temper. I mean this woman was deliberately out for trouble. Maybe she was sloshed.
“Look, maybe you should go back to wherever it is you came from. I’m going back to my boyfriend.” I said and started for the door.
“Better run, little girl. If you knew him like I do, you run as fast as you can away from him,” she called after me.
By the time I got back to the table our food was served. I had lost my appetite. What did that woman mean? And why did I have to run away from James?
“Is there something the matter, Destiny? You look all flushed.” He took my hand as I sat down next to him. “Did I do something to upset you?”
I shook my head, taking a deep breath to calm myself.
“You can tell me, Sugar.” He patted my hand with the other one and gave me his quirky smile.
“There was this woman in the bathroom…” I began, and just as I said it, she came swaying her narrow hips straight at us.
“Oh, fuck!” James said under his breath.
I wanted to take my hand away from him, but he held onto it and placed his arm around my shoulders.
“Tiffany.” He greeted the tall Brunette. He didn’t smile at her, in fact, he looked pissed.
“James. I didn’t know you were into teenagers now. Got bored with the hookers?” she said, leaning on the table.
“Tiffany, you’re drunk and you’re causing a disturbance. It would be better for you if you just leave.” James said, his arm tightening around my shoulder.
“Aren’t you at least going to introduce your new plaything?” she sneered at us. “Don’t be rude, Lover.”
I felt James’ heart thudding against my arm. He was on the verge of losing his temper.
“Tiffany, watch your foul mouth. This is Destiny, and she is not my plaything. She is the woman I aim to marry.” He turned his head to me, his blue eyes darkened from emotion. “Destiny don’t pay much attention to Tiffany. She broke up with me a long time ago.”
“Destiny. Still sounds like a hooker.” She mused, giggling at her own joke. “Shame, Destiny. He’s such a player. Be careful, he likes to break hearts.”
James raised his hand to call the manager who rushed forward to our table.
“Is there a problem, Mr. Barrington?” he asked, wringing his hands.
“Yes, Tony. Please remove this woman from the restaurant. She is causing a scene.” He said without raising his voice.
“Madame, please follow me,” Tony said and took her arm.
“Let go of me, you slimy little man!” she hollered at him, plucking her arm out of his hand. She lost her balanced and toppled over, screaming, and catching hold of the tablecloth. As she fell, she took the contents of our table with her. James and I stood up, watching wide-eyed at Tiffany dressed in the remains of our dinner and then the bottle of wine tipped over, sloshing all over her head.
I burst out laughing, I couldn't help myself. James chuckled. Tony looked horrified.
“Madame, madame! Let me help you.” He tried his best to help poor Tiffany to her feet. Waiters rushed to help clean up.
She slapped his hands away and scampered to her feet, retrieving meat and vegetables from her clothes. I noticed a piece of carrot stuck to her cleavage.
“Umm… Tiffany, you’ve got something there.” I pointed at her breasts.
She glared at me, then back down at herself, noticed the vegetable and took it out with disgust written all over her face.
She stomped away without a word, out of the restaurant.
Tony apologized profusely. “I’m so sorry about all this, Mr. Barrington, Miss. Your meal will be on the house of course. Let me get you another table.”
But James had had enough. “Look, it’s not your fault Tony. But I think Destiny and I have had enough drama for one night. Shall we go, Sugar?” he took my hand and led me outside.
***
As expected, there were reporters waiting outside. Hundreds of cameras flashed as we walked out. I was blinded by the flashes, and I turned my head into James’ shoulder.
“Keep calm, Sugar. Let’s give them what they came for.” He smiled happily at them.
“Mr. Barrington, what happened in the restaurant? We saw Ms. Brown hurrying out. Did you two have a fight?” one reporter shoved through the crowd.
“No, Ms. Brown had an unfortunate accident. I had nothing to do with it. For once.” He smirked and placed a kiss on my hand. “Now if you’ll excuse us, my lovely date and I have somewhere to be.”
“Mr. Barrington, who is this stunning young woman?” another reporter asked, pointing his camera at me. “Smile please.”
“The love of my life, Ms. Destiny Johnson.” He said whirling me around and kissing me passionately in front of the crowd while the cameras flashed blindingly, lighting the area as bright as day. I melted into his arms for that brief moment, not caring what happened around us.
When he released me, I leant into him, my legs so weak I feared I would collapse.
“Are you alright, Sugar?” he whispered into my ear, holding me by my waist.
I just nodded, not able to find my voice.
I heard the voices of the reporters as if they were far away when in fact, they were almost surrounding us.
James shoved through them, ignoring the questions shouted at our retreating backs. James ushed me back to the car and helped me inside. He pulled away slowly, trying not to hit the horde of cameramen still trying to get pictures of us.
“Persistent lot,” he mumbled. “Sorry our dinner got spoiled. What would you like? We could go to another place.”
“A burger and chips would be great and a milkshake.” I replied.
James laughed.
“What? It’s good enough for me.” I almost forgot he didn’t do starch.
“Okay, I guess once wouldn’t do me any harm.” He said, pulling away from the pavement.
We stopped at a popular Burger Bar and went inside arm in arm.
“Thank you, James.” I said as we sat down at the red Formica table.
He smiled at me. “It’s a pleasure, Sugar. I want you to be comfortable around me and enjoy yourself.
I ordered my favorite hamburger with loaded fries and a large strawberry milkshake. James surprised me by ordering the same, except he didn’t want a milkshake but ordered a beer instead.
The fries were delicious. I closed my eyes, licking the cheese sauce from my fingers and when I opened them, I saw James staring at me. Immediately the heat went to my face.
“What?” I asked with my mouth still full.
“You keep licking those fingers like that and I won’t take responsibility for my actions, Sugar.” He said, smirking at me.
I had no idea what he meant.