Chapter 16
SHANELLE
“Poor cow,” I murmur, breaking the silence as I see the piece of meat placed on my plate. “This still moos. I swear I can still hear it.” Liam raises an eyebrow, suppressing a smile. I look away because I am about to laugh too.
“You said I could choose, and this is what I eat. But if you prefer your meat a little more cooked, I can have them change it.”
“Yes, I know, I just didn’t think you’d bring the live cow to the table.” Liam bursts out laughing, making me jump. I don’t know why that makes my stomach twist and my heart race. My cheeks flush. I glance at the waiter, who looks horrified at the description of the house special.
“You can order something else if you prefer, Shane,” he offers when he finally stops laughing. I look back at the meat, but upon closer inspection, it makes my mouth water. I turn to look at the waiter and then notice that his cheeks are tinged with a pretty red, betraying the embarrassment he feels, his discomfort is clearly palpable.
I give him one of my coy smiles.
“I’ll stick with the dish, thank you.” The young man nods at me, a low growl of warning emerges from Liam’s throat, making the waiter jump and pale; I look at him with wide eyes and an expression that says, “You didn’t just do that.” But he ignores me, fixing his killer gaze on the poor boy. I really can’t understand his strange behavior.
“My apologies, sir. Miss, I hope you enjoy it,” the man rushes to apologize, not before gathering another of his colleagues and scurrying away. Poor guy.
“Thank you,” I murmur too late because the boy has already run off; I look at Liam, who seems unfazed, eating as if nothing is happening.
“You growled at him.” Liam looks at me, takes his wine glass, and takes a sip. I narrow my eyes.
“You imagined it.” I squint my eyes and lower my voice.
“No, I didn’t imagine it,” I retort. “You growled at the poor waiter, and he almost wet his pants. And now that I think of it, you growled that night in the truck too. You’re a little weird; did you know that?”
He reclines against the back of the chair, ready to enjoy his wine while practically devouring me with his gaze.
“I don’t recall exactly which night you’re referring to. However, you might have more insults to hurl my way, Miss Shane.”
“I think you know perfectly well. If what you’re looking for is for me to be more specific,” I glance around, ensuring that there are no people nearby or paying attention to this table, “I’m referring to the night we had sex for the first time. I remember you growled when we were in your truck.”
“You talk about growls, but I remember that it was you who bit me. And don’t get me wrong; I love that my little wolf bit me.” I feel the blush rising in my cheeks again. My irritation at him calling me that peculiar nickname infuriates me because it feels like he’s not taking me seriously.
Without saying anything more or continuing to waste my time in an absurd discussion, I dive into the meat in front of me and eat it with such delight that I can’t help but moan as I savor it. I don’t know what’s so special about this meat that’s practically raw; under other circumstances, I wouldn’t have eaten it. But the hunger I feel is too fierce.
“I love to see you enjoying your dinner.” I don’t respond because my mouth is full and because I also don’t feel like continuing to talk to him. Since I don’t like talking while I eat, I completely ignore him and continue eating. “Alright, I get the hint; you’re a girl of few words when you’re having dinner.”
I slightly raise my gaze to see that he resumes his meal too. The silence and the peace and harmony we feel between us are so comfortable that it’s almost like something natural between us, a routine situation of day-to-day life, as if we were a couple, not strangers who are just starting to get to know each other to see where this leads.
When we finish eating, he takes a sip of wine, but I dislike its taste slightly, so I discreetly push it aside and grab the water glass beside me, downing it in one go.
The waiter who had come before quickly approaches our table to clear our plates.
“Would you like dessert?” the young waiter asks this time directing his question to Liam and not to me. I can’t blame him, considering Liam’s attitude toward him.
“Are you going to want dessert, babe?” My heart skips a beat, as if I were a schoolgirl in love for the first time. I nod several times.
“Chocolate ice cream.”
“You heard my girl. Nothing for me.”
“Right away, sir.” My mouth drops open.
“What are you doing? The only thing you’re missing is to unzip your pants and mark your territory on me.”
“I can always do that. If that’s what you want, I won’t mind making it clear to the other males who you belong to.”
What does this man think he is? A Nordic god? Or what does he think I am?
Then Liam stands up and moves his hands to the zipper of his pants, and my eyes nearly pop out.
“Don’t you dare! Sit down, now!” His movements stop; when I look at him, he has a mocking smile. “You weren’t going to do it, were you?” Liam sits back down and grabs his glass.
“No, but it was fun to see your face of horror.” I grab the cloth napkin and toss it at his face, but he catches it with his free hand.
“Idiot, that wasn’t funny. We’re in public and they can see you…” I cover my mouth with both hands when I realize what I said. “I didn’t mean that! I mean…” how do I always manage to get into awkward situations?
“Don’t worry. I’ll do it when we’re alone. And to put your mind at ease, this is my restaurant; nobody will dare to look in this direction.”
I glance around to check what he says, and indeed, no one is looking toward our table.
“I don’t want you to do that when we’re alone.”
“It’s good to know that you already accept the fact that we’ll be alone at some point. That’s a step in the right direction.”
“You’re a…”
“Here’s your dessert,” the waiter places the ice cream in front of me, interrupting the sweet words I was about to say to Liam.
“Thank you.” He nods and walks away. I decide not to say anything and focus on my ice cream.
“Now seriously, I’d like to know more about you.”
“You know everything about me, so I don’t understand what you mean.”
“I don’t know everything; I just know that you are the girl who remodeled my attic. But I’d like to know more, and I know there is more to know.” I observe him for a moment before I take a deep breath and take a small portion of chocolate.
“There’s not much to know about me. I work as an interior designer, live in a small apartment with my gay best friend. I feel like I should clarify this part to avoid misunderstandings; it’s not that it’s any of your business. I’m an only child, my parents live an hour away. I like to eat, as you already know, party with my friends on weekends or whenever there’s a celebration. Outside of that, I don’t have much to do besides work. I don’t have a life as grand, wonderful, and busy as yours, Liam; however, it’s one that I appreciate a lot and I’m content with. Are my activities dull enough for you to lose interest in me?”
“Not at all,” he assures, playing with his fingers on the table. “If anything, I find you more interesting.”
I scoff because it’s impossible.