6
He had been right: the drive, although nice, was more than an hour. But the food was definitely worth it.
“How did you find this place?” Sofia asked.
“When I first got my license, I used to play this game. I’d drive to see if I could get lost, then see if I could find my way back.”
“Sounds like fun. And you found this back then?”
He shook his head. “Don’t laugh, but as I got older, the game changed. What can I say? I like a Sunday drive to nowhere.”
“That’s funny, since the name of the restaurant is ‘In The Middle Of Nowhere’.”
“I wasn’t sure if you liked the ride or not. You got awful quiet for a bit,” Dylan added.
She laughed. “I’m not sure if you noticed, but I was questioning where you were taking me. For a while there, this ride got a bit…scary. All the twists and turns, then the lack of streetlights kind of had the…horror-movie feel. Those dates never ended well.”
Dylan choked on his drink and said, “I’ve been out on some bad dates, but nothing that extreme. I promise, no one is going to jump out of the woods with a chainsaw.”
“That’s always what you think right before it happens,” she teased. “How will you explain that to Sal?”
Dylan shrugged. “It’s not Sal that scares me. Or the guy with the chainsaw. Your mother, on the other hand, I think she’d skin me alive.”
Sofia winked. “A wise man, I see. Don’t you dare tell her I told you this, but her bark is much worse than her bite.”
“If you don’t mind, I’m not going to test that. I have a feeling you’re bluffing.”
Sofia laughed. “It’s possible. So you’d better make sure I make it home safe and sound.”
Dylan looked at her, no joking, and said, “I’d never let anyone hurt you Sofia.”
The light, playful mood had changed. She missed it slightly, but it felt nice knowing that Dylan would protect her if needed. Sofia had been out on a few dates recently that were all about the guy and left her feeling like she’d probably have to fend for herself in a crisis. Guess this is what it’s like to be with a real man.
Giving him a small, gracious smile, she said, “Thank you Dylan. Hopefully your services won’t ever be required.”
The waitress came over and asked, “Is there anything else you need? We’ll be closing in a few minutes.”
Sofia shook her head then looked at the clock. It was almost eleven. “We’ve been sitting here for hours.”
“Guess my company doesn’t suck,” Dylan teased.
Sofia shrugged. “On a scale of one to ten, I’d give you a…strong eight.”
“Eight?” he asked as they walked to the car.
“I hate to bring it up, but when you suggested we split a piece of death-by-chocolate cake, I believe you ate more than half.” His tone was so serious that it sounded believable.
As he opened the car door for her, he asked, “Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?”
He was standing so close that she couldn’t slip into the passenger’s seat. Playfully she asked, “What are you offering?”
Dylan leaned over so he was only inches from her. She licked her lips in anticipation of his. But he didn’t move any closer. Her chest heaved, as though she couldn’t breathe. Damn it. Getting up on her tippy toes, Sofia wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her. The kiss wasn’t like the first. This one was hot and fierce. Lips clashing and tongues seeking. She felt his arms around her waist, pulling her up high against him. Her feet no longer on the ground, she was already soaring high on desire.
Sofia had never felt such a strong want building with just a kiss. If it hadn’t been for a horn blaring, and a teenager shouting ‘go for it,’ they probably wouldn’t have stopped.
Stammering, she said, “I think…you’re a…strong nine…now.”
Dylan laughed as he let her go. “I’ll have to work harder tomorrow.”