“He mentioned it,” he replies vaguely. “I may have been asking a few questions about you.”
I swallow hard. “And why would you be doing that?”
He licks his bottom lip, and my gaze follows the motion. “Curiosity, I guess.”
Right. He’s curious.
I picture him exiting the taxi this morning, his hair dishevelled, and the mood is broken. I break eye contact and focus on the cupcakes. “They’re all done. Give me a minute to clean up and then we can go to dinner.”
He nods, a little stiffly. “Take your time.”
I show him where the lounge room is so he can watch TV while he waits, then escape to my bedroom. I change into a black maxi dress and sandals and let my hair down. I washed it after work so it’s back to being defiant and curly, but it’s going to have to do. I put a little powder on my face and grab my handbag, taking a deep breath before I re-enter the lounge room.
“I’m ready when you are,” I say.
He turns the TV off and stands up, taking me in from head to toe. “You look beautiful.”
My eyes widen. “Oh... umm... thank you.”
His hazel eyes smile back at me. “You’re welcome. What do you feel like eating?”
“Anything is fine with me,” I say. “I’m easy.”
I walk in front of him, wincing.
I’m easy?
Did I have to say that?
Although going by his actions last night, he likes easy.
Pushing away that unpleasant thought, we exit through the front door and I lock it behind me. When I see his bike parked in my driveway, I stop in my tracks, smiling widely in excitement.
“Yes!”
He laughs, head turned in my direction. “I thought you’d like another ride.”
“You thought right. You rode here from next door? Lazy much?” I tease.
He chuckles. “It was more for you than me.”
“You didn’t think I’d want to walk like, what, ten steps to Zach’s front door?” I ask as my mouth twitches.
Xander crosses his arms over his chest and winks. “I try to be chivalrous and this is what I get, huh?”
I laugh at that, and then rub my hands together. “Let’s get on this bad boy.”
His entire body shakes with laughter. “Fuck, you’re cute.”
He helps me onto the bike and I wrap my arms around him.
I think that’s my favourite part.
We come to a stop in front of a popular steak house.
“We didn’t decide where to go,” he says sheepishly, helping me off the bike. “I remember seeing this place when I was riding in, but if you want to go somewhere else, we can.”
“This place is fine,” I say. “I’ve eaten here a couple of times and the food is always good.”
I take the helmet off and give it back to him.
“I took the longer way here so you could enjoy the ride.”
“I noticed. Thanks, I appreciate it,” I tell him. “Maybe I should get my own bike?”
“You liked it that much then?” he asks, shaking his head in amusement.
“I think I did,” I admit, even though I know I could never ride one myself. Maybe I’ll let Zach ride me around from now on after all, even though the thought of riding with anyone apart from Xander isn’t as appealing.
“I’m glad it was me that took your motorcycle virginity,” he says casually. I’m glad it’s dark because my face is suddenly flushed. “You showed me something and I showed you something.”
“What did I show you?” I ask.
He leans down closer to me. “You showed me how to decorate cupcakes.”
“You’re actually admitting that?” I ask, my mouth twitching again. “I don’t know many men that would.”
Xander takes my comment in stride, flashing me a smile. “I have nothing to prove, babe. I’m all man. And I don’t give a fuck what other people think.”
Damn if that isn’t attractive as hell.
He holds the door open for me as we walk into the restaurant and gestures for me to take a seat before him in one of the booths. I thank him.
“I hope you’re hungry,” he says as he picks up a menu.
I am.
The waitress comes over and we place our orders.
“What did you want to do after this?” I ask him. “There’s a few places we could check out if you want to go to a bar or something. Or if you want to see some sights around town, we could do that, too.”
He glances up at me through his lashes. “Maybe we could watch a movie or something? I don’t really want to go out to a bar or club.”
I suppose it would be boring to go out to a club with just the two of us. He’d want to find someone to hook up with and I would be left alone. It doesn’t seem like a good time.
“Sounds good to me,” I say. “I don’t really mind, either—”
“Trillian, hey,” comes a voice, interrupting my sentence. I look to the right and see Richard standing there as he stares at Xander. “I thought you said you were single.”
My eyes narrow slightly. “I am single, not that I should be explaining myself.”
He doesn’t take his eyes from Xander. “I’m Richard, a friend of Trillian’s.”
“Xander.”
I lean back against the red leather bench and wish Richard would just leave. “I just thought I’d say hi since our conversation was interrupted today.”