He reached over to pat my knee, then pulled his hand out of the way as I smoothly changed gears. "I'm glad that you can actually drive a stick. Turn left here, please."
So many naughty double entendres flooded my mind.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"Surprise."
He wouldn't talk about anything else except the weather and the ridiculously slow construction on Eglinton Avenue. "Pull into the parking lot with the big green sign, please."
Violet's Kitchen was a small, elegant restaurant that looked like a private supper club. There were only two other cars in the parking lot.
"Is it even open?" I asked.
We walked to the door, and Warrick tapped gently. "People go for fancy dinner all the time. Why not fancy breakfast?"
A smiling woman opened the door. "Miss Nelson. Mr. Cedar. This way, please."
Every table in the restaurant was covered in a white cloth, but no tableware. We reached a corner banquette, the only table set with dishes, flowers, and candles.
"Are we the only people here?" I whispered to Warrick.
"Yes."
The woman settled us on the cushioned corner bench, then handed us menus. "I'm Tina, and I'm delighted to be serving you both this morning. Now, regular coffee, or can we whip up something special? Maybe a hazelnut latte, or chocolate cinnamon?"
"You know," Warrick said, "I've actually never had a latte."
"Why don't we get one of each, and we can try them both?" I suggested.
Tina tapped her finger to her temple. "Smart. I'll be right back."
Once we decided on our orders and were settled with giant lattes in front of us, Warrick slipped an arm around my waist.
I flicked my finger through the cinnamon foam in front of him, then held it up. He sucked my finger into his mouth, running his tongue in circles before I snatched it back to dry it on my napkin. "Sassy. You're going to have to behave yourself when more brunch people arrive."
His green eyes sparkled. "I've just done my first insufferable wealthy person thing."
"What do you mean?"
He chuckled deeply. "I bought out the entire restaurant. Called ahead last night, and said that I wanted a private brunch until they open at eleven-thirty."
My mouth fell open, and he used the opportunity to kiss me. Then he leaned back. "Does that make me a douchebag?"
My hand drifted up and down his thigh as we snuggled closer. "Nobody is particularly inconvenienced, I guess. You'll have to try much harder if your intent is to become a douchebag."
"Never." His lips drifted gently along my ear. "My intent is to make sure you have everything you need."
Although it came out sounding more like the wishes of an engineer than a poet, his sentiment was in the right place.
Our incredible meal became a game of how much we could fondle each other anytime Tina was safely on the far side of the swinging kitchen door.
Warrick heard her footsteps quicker than I did. If she hadn't interrupted so often with extra appetizers and tasting dishes, we would have ended up naked underneath the table.
Somehow our conversation managed to continue flowing, even as our hands explored as much of each other as we dared. Warrick was very concerned about my life goals, education expectations, and where I saw myself in five years.
Maybe he was trying to put himself in my headspace, since he was so much older. I knew he’d never bring it up. I'd have to ask.
After Tina cleared the dishes, my hand gripped Warrick's thigh as I looked deeply into his eyes. "Do you care that I'm younger?"