“Where are we going, anyway?” Mallory asked as they entered the lane for the George Washington Bridge.
“One of my favorite restaurants. It’s in Brooklyn, so we should be able to find parking.”
Mallory turned to face him, placing her hand on top of his where it still rested on her thigh. “I’m glad I took a vacation day for tomorrow.”
Chris chuckled to himself. This was what he missed. The two of them setting out to do something new without anything to worry about. They couldn’t stay out all night, but at least with Lily and Dan being at Mallory’s place, they didn’t have to rush back before bedtime.
“I suppose you might need a day of rest.”
With an eyeroll, Mallory reclined her seat and sang along to the radio as they drove into the city. Between the singing and the conversation, Chris didn’t feel like he was driving for long at all before he began circling the block to find parking. As expected, the area wasn’t crowded, and he was able to find a space.
“This is such a cute neighborhood,” Mallory commented as they walked hand-in-hand down the quiet street.
“Tourists flock to Manhattan, but Brooklyn has always been my favorite,” he responded.
The street was lined with brownstones and quaint mom and pop shops. Beside the bookstore stood a small Mediterranean Restaurant. It wasn’t Chris’s favorite type of food, but heabsolutely loved their grape leaves and falafel, not to mention the atmosphere, and he thought it might be something Mallory would enjoy. She had been very much into healthy living and healthy eating, even though she often let him derail her eating habits when they spent time together.
“I wasn’t expecting Mediterranean food,” she said as he stepped forward to open the door for her.
“Is it okay?”
He took her hand and led the way to the hostess desk. Her broad smile was all the answer he needed. Even though the only windows were at the front of the restaurant, the bright colors combined with fairy lights throughout made the inside feel bright and airy without the use of harsh lighting.
“It’s perfect,” she confirmed once they were seated in a back corner.
Chris would have preferred a seat at the front near the window, but the table in the back gave them a level of privacy. The pink sundress she wore was simple, but sexy as hell. She’d been wearing a thin white cardigan over it, but when she slipped it off and draped it over the back of the chair, he nearly forgot how to breathe. The dress was sleeveless and fell to mid-thigh. The olive skin of her toned thighs was a brilliant contrast against the dark pink. His fingers ached to reach out and touch her.
“You look amazing,” he breathed.
A tinge of pink spread across her cheeks as she smiled and looked over the menu. Chris didn’t need the menu. He ordered the same thing every time he was there, so he took the opportunity to take her in. The floral scent of her shampoo drifted his way as she flipped through the menu. He was no longer hungry for food.
“You know what you’re ordering already?” she asked when she looked up to find him looking at her, his menu sitting unopened.
“Grape leaves, hummus, and falafel. I’m not sure if they go together, but they are the reason I love this place.”
Mallory stifled a laugh. “Good choices. I’m getting the tabouli salad. I’m sure you’ll let me taste whatever you get, right?”
“I’ll let you taste anything you want.”
The flush across her cheeks grew deeper and she returned her attention to the menu even though she already said what she wanted to order. Chris did his best to remind himself that they were out for a few hours for quality time. Dinner was quality time. Conversation was quality time.
“Thanks for bringing me here,” Mallory said after a few minutes of comfortable silence.
“I had a feeling you would like this place.”
“Pretty confident that you know me, huh?” she retorted.
“I know you like control, and that the food you eat is one thing you can control. I know when you get anxious, you recite phrases that make you feel more in control,” he said before pausing and lowering his voice. “I know how you sound when my cock is buried deep inside your tight pussy.”
She gasped in surprise. He watched as she shifted in her chair and tried her best to focus on something, anything besides what he said. No matter how cool she tried to play it, the flush of her cheeks and the change in her breathing gave her away. She was affected by his words.
“Do you two need a minute?” the waitress asked before either of them had realized she was standing there.
Chris chuckled to himself. They needed a minute, alright. “I think we’re ready. Right, Bunny?”
Mallory cleared her throat and gave her head a small shake. “Yeah. We’re—I mean I—um. I’m ready to order. Tabouli, please.”
Chris placed his order without looking away from Mallory. “I’ll have the grape leaves and falafel, and an order of hummus and pita to share, please. We’re good with water to drink.”