Good gods, have mercy. Nikhail had never heard anyone enjoy food as much as River was right now.
The possessive part of him wanted to bundle River up and take her far from here—the sounds she was making were far too incredible to share with the denizens milling about the public park where they were currently eating.
River’s eyes slipped closed on her next bite, and he discreetly adjusted himself.
“I’m so glad you’re enjoying it.” Nikhail covered the roughness in his voice by tossing a crispy fry into his mouth.
“I certainly am.” River took another bite and moanedagain.
A Light Elf was walking behind the bench, and a growl rumbled through Nikhail before he could stop it. With a squeak, the older man hurried on without a backward glance. That was good, because gods above, he didn’t want anyone else to hear the sounds of River’s pleasure.
Once her mouth was empty, she asked, “Where did you find this place? It’s kind of out of the way.”
“That’s a polite way to call the restaurant a hole in the wall,” he teased.
“I’m nothing if not polite.” She shot him a grin that spoke otherwise.
“Sure, you are.” A smile played on the edges of Nikhail’s lips. “That’s why I’ve seen you screaming at the television, your hands curled into fists, when your team is losing in Laser.”
River huffed adorably. “That’s different.”
“Oh?” he asked, knowing it would rile her up.
“Everyone knows there’s no room for manners in sports.” She lifted her chin. “That’s just the way of the game.”
She spoke so matter-of-factly, with such dignity, that Nikhail couldn’t help but snort.
“I’ll have to remember that.” He pulled out his phone, pretending to jot a quick note. “Manners are not required for sports spectating.”
“Exactly.”
“Any other times the rules of etiquette don’t need to be followed?” He waved his phone in the air. “So I can take note of them for later.”
Her brows furrowed in mock concentration. “I can’t think of anything.”
But as she said the last word, a flash of something bitter crossed her face, and she frowned.
And he couldn’t let that stand. He slung his arm over the back of the bench, drawing River closer. His fingers played with her shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
There was a lengthy pause, then she sighed.
“It’s not important,” she said.
The bitterness coating her words told a different story.
“Doesn’t sound that way to me. Tell me,” Nikhail coaxed. “The thought obviously bothered you, and I want to know what it was.”
He wanted to know everything about River. Her thoughts, her likes and dislikes, her opinions. Every part of her fascinated him.
River fiddled with the hem of her jacket. “It’s not really first-date material, you know?”
“I don’t care.” He kissed her cheek. “We’ve done everything unconventionally; our date can follow suit. Besides, you can tell me anything. I won’t judge you, River.”
Not about this or anything else.
“It’s just… if you asked my mother, she’d tell you that manners and etiquette arealwaysimportant. At least for Waterborns.”
Of course, this was about Tertia Waterborn.