He lowers his lips to mine and it sets off all sorts of butterflies in my stomach. His hands holding my head and his fingers are in my hair. I kiss him back, our tongues meet, and he moans deep in the back of his throat before he takes over our kiss. We’re lip locked, so deep into each other, people are walking around us, and it’s as if there’s no outside world. I feel him slowly pull back and I make a mewling sound, never wanting this kiss to end.
“Damn, Natalie. Your mouth, fuck. It could bring a man to his knees,” he grumbles.
“Umm, thank you, I guess?” I question.
“It’s a good thing, but only for me,” he says with a look on his face, one I can’t decipher yet. I’m finding I can’t wait to know all of Zack’s facial expressions. I want to know everything I can about him.
“Okay,” I say as we both turn our bodies back to walking on the strip. I see a steakhouse and head that way, my stomach can’t take much more.
Chapter 8
Zack
Her damn mouth, it tasted better than I ever imagined it could. I want more of her, and I’d take her mouth all night if I could, but she’s hungry and let’s face it I’m not a man to let her starve, plus, I’d follow her in a heartbeat, anywhere. We’re holding hands but I’m a step behind her and fuck, the view of her legs, her ass, and the way her hips sway as she walks. It’s going to be a long fucking night. I’ll take blue balls over not having her in my sight though.
We make it inside and the hostess asks, “How many in your party tonight, sir?”
“Just two, thanks,” I barely make eye contact with her, before my gaze goes right back to the woman who’s slowly becoming something, I never thought I’d need before. When the hostess comes back to seat us, we follow her and I know I’m going to have to let Natalie go, and the thought is making my gut burn.
We sit across from each other when I ask her, “What would you like to drink?”
“I’ll take a glass of pinot noir, please,” she says shyly.
When our waitress comes back, I order a beer for myself and a glass of wine for Natalie and ask for some rolls until we’re ready to order. I know she’s hungry and I refuse to let her stomach grumble any more than necessary.
“Thank you for inviting me to dinner Zack,” she mumbles out.
“Sunshine, the pleasure is all mine. Tell me about yourself.” I say to her.
“Well, I’m just graduating college and am on my way to becoming a CPA to a local accounting firm back in Arizona. I love to read, cook, and travel, when I can. Where are you from?” she asks me. Damn, not only is she unbelievably beautiful, she’s also smart.
“I’m from Alabama originally. My parents are in Florida, and well right now, I’m on the circuit so I go where the next tournament takes me.” I tell her, looking deep into her eyes.
“That must really keep you busy,” she replies.
“Yeah, I travel about nine months out of the year. Some days I’m not sure why I even keep a place.” I say with a whoosh of breath. This is something that has been on my mind for the past few months. I’m getting older now and I’m feeling the need to settle down and plant roots.
“Wow, I never knew the poker world was so, well, so big,” she says with a blush.
I chuckle lightly, enjoying the blush blooming on her face. We continue chatting a little bit until the waitress takes our order.
Natalie goes first and orders, “I’ll have the ribeye steak sandwich please and thank you.”
“I’ll have the filet mignon, with mashed potatoes and green beans,” I tell the waitress as we hand her our menus.
Once she’s gone, I take ahold of Natalie’s hand even from across the table I hold it, our fingers are entwined and, being with her like this, it’s the most comforting feeling I’ve ever had before.
Chapter 9
Natalie
The table gets pretty quiet as we both dive into our food. Dinner was amazing and I’m so glad my stomach isn’t embarrassing me anymore with all of its grumbling noises. We’re walking along the strip, his hand is in mine. He keeps me as close as he possibly can while we’re walking together. My head is on his shoulder and I’m cherishing every moment, but also scared that it can end just as easily.
“Let’s go watch the water show,” Zack says.
“Sounds good to me,” I respond back. He looks down into my eyes, he has a grin on his face. One I’m beginning to want to see more and more with each moment we spend together.