Tabitha walked into La Bella Noche and hurried up to the hostess stand. She muttered sorries to the patrons waiting to get a table as she made her way between them.
The slender dark-haired man quirked an eyebrow at her. He was probably wondering who the hell she was and why she had burst into the eating establishment like a bat out of hell.
"Reservation under Wesley Roberts," she said yanking down the hem of the dress she'd purchased only an hour before. She still couldn't believe she'd let the sales girl talk her into buying a half-size too small. As if she didn't have a hard enough time squeezing her ass into clothes that were the right size.
"Yes, yes, follow me," he said with a smile. Tabitha was so glad Wes had agreed to dinner at this place. The listening party had been fun, but the whole night had felt like a blur, from the moment they pulled up to the mansion to the moment she fell into bed. It had been fun drinking and talking and listening to music, but she was definitely in the mood for something more intimate.
Wes stood when they approached the table.
"Wow," he breathed as he pulled out her chair.
"I'm sorry I'm late," Tabitha started.
"Forget about it," said Wes reclaiming his seat. "That dress is amazing."
Tabitha had stopped into a small boutique after work and picked out a bold blue Michael Kors sheath dress. To say the thing was tight would be the understatement of the century. She'd paired it with black pumps that went nicely with the black piping through the dress. "Thanks," she said pushing her brown curls over her shoulders.
"Okay," she said once the waiter had given her a menu and left. "Let's get something straight up front."
Wes waited.
"Just because this is our third date, doesn't mean you're going to get some," said Tabitha. "I was completely serious when I said I'm not easy."
Wes laughed. "You sure know how to start off a date, don't you?"
Tabitha laughed. "I'm just being honest."
"Honesty is good," Wes said, "trust me."
They ate their meals in comfortable silence, interrupted by easy discussion. At the end of the meal, the waiter put the check on the table and Tabitha reached for it. "Don't worry," she said, "I got it."
Wes frowned and snatched the check out of her grasp. "I don't think so."
Tabitha stared at him. "What's the big deal? This place is expensive and I haven't paid for anything yet."
"I. Don't. Think. So."
Tabitha grasped for the check and Wes pulled it further away.
"You think I'm broke, don't you?" he said incredulously.
Tabitha blinked, taken aback by his tone. "Well, I mean, you're a salesman right? You work on commission so..."
"Actually, I forego commission," he said leaning back in his chair.
"Okay," Tabitha said, "you're a salesman on salary and we're at the most expensive place in town."
"Just so you know, I'm not broke," Wes said pulling out his wallet and sticking a few large bills in the check.
"I didn't say that!" Tabitha cried.
"You didn't have to," he said waving for the waiter.
"We should at least..."
Wes glared at her. "We're not splitting it."
The finality in his voice made her jaw snap shut. Did he just lay the law down on her like that?
The waiter took the check and they were out the door before she could think of a way to save face.
***
Tabitha felt like she'd exhaled for the first time in hours when Wes unzipped the hidden zipper at the back of the dress.
"Thanks," she breathed, turning to smile at him. "I'll be right back."
"Are you sure you don't need anymore help?"
Tabitha laughed. "No, I'm good. Just make yourself at home."
A few minutes later she emerged from her bedroom in an oversized black t-shirt and gray satin shorts.
"Do you want a drink?" she asked standing beside the couch where he was lounging.
"No thanks, I don't really drink."
"Neither do I; the only thing I have is a half bottle of Riesling that came in a gift basket when I moved in. It's been in the back of the refrigerator for two years." Tabitha settled in beside him.
The couch was a Heather-brown pillow back, royal sleeper so there was plenty of room for them both to lie side-by-side. Once Tabitha tossed the larger pillows onto the floor in front of them, the couch was the size of a full size bed. Wes rolled toward her, blocking her view of the television.
"What are you doing?" she asked when he slid his hand under her shirt.
"I can't touch you?" he whispered swirling his fingers over her stomach.
Tabitha's breathing quickened. "Just stay above the waistband," she whispered.
"I'll try," he responded before dipping his head and nuzzling her neck.
Tabitha's giggle turned into a moan when his tongue flicked against that special spot behind her ear. The one that made her whimper and flood her panties.
His mouth found hers warm and willing. Tabitha's brain went fuzzy at the feel of him. Her hands slid over his chest, broad and hard, before splaying across his back. The corded muscles moved under her palms when he leaned closer.
Lord, she prayed, don't let me play myself with this guy. Don't let me go out like that!
Wes couldn't still his hands. They seemed to be all over her, from caressing her bellybutton to setting fire to every nerve on the way up to let his thumbs graze the underside of her breasts.
Tabitha hadn't bothered to put on a bra since she hadn't been wearing one in the first place. The tight dress had rendered even her more-jiggly parts immobile. Her nipples were impossibly hard, aching for his attention but his mouth was otherwise occupied. He swept his tongue across hers and she whimpered again. Her hips jerked upward, tucking against the erection straining against the front of his slacks.
A groan rumbled from somewhere deep in his chest. The idea that she was affecting him just as much as he was her spurred her on. She dropped her hips, only to bring them back up immediately.
"I can't keep any promises when you tease me like that."
"Try," she whispered parting her thighs and wrapping her leg around his waist.
He groaned again. "Are you kidding me?" His lips slid further down, trailing fire from her special spot down to her collar bone.
Tabitha lifted a shaky hand and pressed her fingertips to her kiss-swollen lips. "You can't take a little tease?" she panted.
She felt his smile against her skin. "You play too much," he muttered.
Before she could respond his hands were pushing up the shirt, revealing her honey-brown skin. She thought she should protest, but couldn't bring herself to do it. She felt that she was coming out on the losing side of the battle to be true to her upbringing. She wanted to be a lady...she wanted to stick to her principles; but his tongue was doing magical things in the valley between her breasts.
She was almost a D-cup, a gift from some grandmother or great-aunt that she'd never known. Her own mother was small-chested and Dion had found herself somewhere in the middle. Tabitha had always had a problem with guys being unable to bring their gazes up to her face. After spending years trying to downplay the damn things, she'd given up and accepted them. If they were going to get so much attention, they might as well make her look good and better yet, make her feel good.
"Ooh," Tabitha cooed, lacing her fingers through his thick black hair. His teeth clenched a nipple and she screeched; her hips driving upward again.
"Can't you take a little tease?" he asked before licking the slight injury.
"Fuck you," she laughed.
