Ensconced within the soft lighting and smooth seats of a booth which delivered a heightened level of privacy, Nic handed her menu back to the waiter and did her best not to play with the napkin in her lap. The drive to the restaurant had been nearly silent, the radio used as a filler for the non-existent conversation. Still, both occupants had seemed comfortable during the twenty minute drive, neither feeling the need for unnecessary chatter.
Nic had been taken aback at the restaurant. It was indeed a small place, practically a hole in the wall that she would have never noticed if they hadn't walked right up to it. She had been surprised when Des brought her to a stop in front of what looked like a closed building after parking in a public lot. But, then he had pulled the door open, allowing Nic to precede him into the darkened interior, and she was met by a polite hostess and the gentle music of a live band.
Once they had been seated and Nic had a chance to examine the subdued elegance of the place, she had to admit, she was fairly impressed. It was obvious that was the reaction Des wanted, but he had gone about it in his own fashion. Most guys would have taken her to the highest-priced, most talked-about restaurant in the city. They would have thrown money around as if it was going out of style and probably would have regaled her with talk of how impressive their status was within their company. At least, that was how other dates had gone. But, Des had taken her to a place he obviously loved, if his familiarity with the wait staff was any indication. He'd known both the bartender and their server by name and had asked after their lives with genuine interest.
Now, feeling herself relax as the beautiful strains of a piano and saxophone soothed her raw nerves, and taking in both the candles that graced the tables, and the brass fixtures that warmed up the cherry wood paneling on the walls, Nic felt the confidence to raise her eyes to the man sitting across the table from her. She was surprised to find him staring right back at her, his gaze intense and unwavering. A feeling of exposure crept over Nic. As though she couldn't hide anything even if she were to try; not even in the privacy of her own mind.
Taking a deep breath and sipping from her glass of water to allow for some time to collect her thoughts, Nic wondered once again how Des could look at her with such passion. He examined her like a puzzle that needed to be solved, which was laughable. There was nothing about her that even hinted at being an enigma. If anything, Nic felt she was an open book, although she prayed that Des did not guess at half the thoughts she had while in his presence.
On the contrary, it was Des that was the mysterious one. She had never met a man that was so hard to read, a skill she had crafted over the years and was proud to say she was quite adept at using. That is, until she had met the man she was with tonight. Even now, the only thing that Nic was sure of was that Des seemed to want her physically. She had no idea if he even liked her or wanted to get to know her better. But, that was what a date was for, and she was determined to have some sort of insight into Des before they entered into what was fast becoming the obvious conclusion to their night.
"So, how did you hear about this place?" Nic asked, after clearing her throat and gathering her courage. She knew it was an inane question, simply designed to clear the air between them, but it was a start.
You just have to learn to get comfortable around him. Just treat him like a client. He's only interested in doing business with you. And, at this very moment, stripping you out of your neatly pressed shirt and slacks, and burying himself balls deep in your very needy pussy, is absolutely the last thing he is thinking,
Nic thought before mentally slapping herself for putting that very provocative image in her mind.
"It's owned by a friend of mine," Des replied, pulling Nic from her thoughts. "We grew up together and managed to stay in touch even after I went to Japan. Whenever I came back to the States to visit, Rico was always one of the few people I'd drop in on."
As if speaking his name had commanded the man to materialize, Rico appeared at the table, a kindly smirk on his nutmeg-brown face. Dressed in a pair of worn jeans and a chef's jacket, he hardly seemed like the owner of the restaurant. He looked more like a busboy than a proprietor. But, it was obvious just from looking into his dark brown eyes that he was very happy, almost jolly, and quite proud. And the reasons for that could only be the restaurant he was standing in and the sight of his good friend.
"Man, don't you ever stay home to eat. I swear, Keith says this is like the fourth time you've been in here this week," Rico laughed, grabbing Des' hand as he rose from his seat and initiating the typical male greeting of the one-handed, back-slapping hug.
"Why should I cook for myself when I can count on you to give me a discount on Janie's award-winning meals?" Des smiled back at the slightly shorter man, pleased that he had been able to visit on a night when Rico had time to come out of the kitchen.
"Hey, Janie isn't the only one back there," Rico exclaimed with mock indignation. "I can hold my own in the kitchen. And, if I'm not mistaken, most of the time you're in here for the Rosemary Chicken, which we know is my specialty." Rico popped the collar on his jacket with a smug look on his face, before he burst into another grin.
Nic watched the proceedings between the two men with interest, finding the very apparent camaraderie and subsequent enthusiasm refreshing. Des hardly showed any expression at the dojo, preferring to be the cold and distant sensei. And, other than the bouts of desire he had shown for her, Nic had wondered if Des ever relaxed.
Before Nic had any time to contemplate this new side of Des, she found herself the object of attention. Rico, glancing at his friend's dinner guest, now swept Nic's hand from the table and placed upon it a light, flirtatious kiss. Glancing up at her while still bent over her hand, he smiled in an exaggerated form of seduction and waggled his eyebrows. Nic took an immediate liking to his obvious teasing and the expression of good-natured fun that glowed on his happy face.
"And, what do we have here? Tell me it isn't so. Tell me my good friend has not brought such a gem into my fine eating establishment without introducing her." Rico looked back at Des with what could only be described as outrage at such tawdry behavior. At least, the dramatic inflection in his voice implied that. However, the glint in his eye gave away the curiosity he felt at this unexpected turn of events. Des had mentioned nothing about a woman in his life.
Shaking his head and rolling his eyes at Rico's antics, Des returned to his seat before turning to Nic.
"Nic Desmond, Rico Alvarez. Don't believe a word he says," remarked Des as he noticed that his friend had yet to relinquish Nic's hand. It wasn't that he was jealous or anything as ridiculous as that. He just thought Rico's antics were a bit extreme, even for him. It was common knowledge that Rico liked to flirt with the ladies a bit, but the whole besotted knight routine was going slightly overboard.
"I'm wounded," Rico replied, drawing Nic's hand to his chest with a hang dog look upon his face. "To think that you would say such a thing to someone who has been your friend for over twenty years."
"And I'm only now beginning to think that was twenty years too long," Des growled, as he glared pointedly at Nic and Rico's clasped hands.
