“You are.”
The way he looked at me—the intensity and the sincerity of it—made me feel lightheaded for a few seconds. No one had ever focused on me the way he did. I’d never wanted anyone to, either.
“Really?” I asked breathlessly.
He reached out and traced his thumb over my bottom lip.
“Absolutely,” he said. “Don’t tell me you don’t feel what this is.”
I nodded. “I feel it,” I confirmed.
He smiled before he leaned in and dropped a soft kiss on my lips, right as my stomach growled. Laughing, he pulled back.
“If we don’t get out of this car, I’m going to kiss you again. And while I’d love nothing more than to do just that, I want to get you fed.”
He hopped out of the car quickly, coming around to my side and opening the door for me as I unbuckled myself. When I took the hand he offered, goosebumps broke out on my arms. I loved the way I felt when we touched. He held my hand as he guided me into the restaurant.
The hostess seated us in one of the crescent shaped booths, which allowed us to sit right next to each other. After opening the menu, Ryan slung his arm over my shoulders.
“What’re you hungry for, sweetheart?”
I figured it was best to be myself from the get go. I liked food, and loved to eat. I’d done the whole rabbit food act when I’d dated before, but it had been ridiculous. Besides, I was confident Ryan wasn’t going to have any problem with it. My curves clearly weren’t an issue for him. I had thick thighs and a booty—both of which he’d seen the night before at the bakery since I’d been wearing jeans.
“I’m starving, so basically everything,” I joked.
“Alright – sounds like we should order a bunch of stuff. Is there anything you don’t like?”
“Anything with duck.”
He shuddered. “Yeah, me too. I love all of the soups here. You up for one?”
I nodded. “I am.”
When the waitress came to the table Ryan ordered General Tso, cashew chicken, hot and sour soup, beef broccoli, eggrolls and a pot of Chinese tea. The tea came back first, and he poured for me and then asked how much sugar I wanted.
While we waited for our soup, we asked each other what felt like a million and one questions. It was speed dating on speed, really. It was clear we were both eager to know as much as we could about one another.
Over the soup course he told me about losing his parents and his little brother Steven, something that broke my heart. I hated knowing that he’d lost three people who were so important to him. I was glad that his sister was such a strong person. It was clear her taking control meant the world to Ryan, even though he still felt he owed her for doing it. My sense was that his sister did it because she loved him, and it was a choice she’d make again.
When the entrees came, he made a giant plate for the two of us and then used his chopsticks to feed me. It was the most intimate experience I’d ever had. He’d feed me and then take a bite himself.
“You don’t have to do this,” I said.
“Unless it bothers you, I want to,” he answered.
It didn’t bother me at all.
5
Ryan
After lunch, we went to see a movie. I’d insisted Julia choose and was pleasantly surprised when she picked a horror film. Since we were still full from lunch, we kept it simple and got one soda to share. I loved being in the theater with her, loved the way she held my hand the whole time, hiding her head against my shoulder during the scary parts. It was adorable the way she’d peek through her hair at the screen as she squeezed my hand in excitement. Having her next to me was perfection. Her hair smelled like fresh cinnamon buns with a hint of orange, and I wanted to surround myself with that scent for the rest of my life. I was happier than I’d ever been, even though my dick was as hard as goddamn rock. When the movie was over, it was just before seven o’clock. Julia and I held hands as we walked to the car.
“I don’t want to let you go,” I said.
She’d blushed and looked up at me. “You don’t have to,” she murmured.
“We could go to my house if you’re okay with that.”
She squeezed my hand and smiled. “I’m okay with that,” she answered, “but I need to get my car from the parking lot at work.”
“No problem,” I assured her. “I’ll take you to get it now, and you can follow me to my house.”
When we pulled into the bakery parking lot and she pointed out her car, I laughed out loud. Her yellow Volkswagen Beetle perfectly matched her sunny personality right down to the two pink daisies I saw in the little vase on the dash.