Page 38

twenty-seven

. . .

“I’m not eating that, E,” Maximus protested as Eden grabbed an oyster and decorated it with caviar and horseradish.

“You ordered this and the Clicquot,” Eden pointed out. “And it’s really good.”

“I ordered it because in my study of your social media,” Maximus started.

“Study? That’s what we’re calling it?”

“Got to study your prey,” he retorted, choosing the Oyster Rockefeller over Eden’s choice. “What I didn’t know is that you like your shit raw, nor did I know this shit was raw.”

“I only like it raw if it’s safe,” Eden shared, before slurping Bluefin’s signature appetizer off the half shell. “You ordered these on purpose.”

“I didn’t, I swear, but I'm not regretting it. I told the lady who answered the phone it was a first date, and I wanted to impress your fine ass.”

Eden tilted her head. “You didn’t need to impress me. I’ve been impressed.”

“Heard you.”

“So, you’re going to try it, right?” Eden asked, making another. “I’m telling you, with the bubbly, it’s amazing.”

Maximus curled his lip before giving in to her and those eyes she held. “If it’s nasty, you’ll never talk me into anything else.”

“I doubt it. Open up and trust me.”

“That sounds like some shit a nigga says before ruining someone’s life,” Maximus grumbled, opening his mouth slightly.

Eden leaned in slightly and guided it to his mouth. Slurping it off the shell, he held her eye contact. She stayed silent as his face contorted with the explosion of flavors.

“Damn.”

“It’s good, I told you.” Eden swiped the residual juice from his lips.

“It is,” he groaned, hooking her chin to kiss her. “Damn good. That made it better.”

“Main course is about to come through that door in thirty seconds, please don’t have me giving them a show.”

Nipping her lip, he squeezed her thigh and pulled back. “Let me have another one of those.”

Right on schedule, the staff appeared with another bottle of champagne and the main dish.

Chilean Sea Bass with Champagne Beurre Blanc and seared scallops with cauliflower puree and caviar.

The table was full, and both looked at each other.

Eden, with a wiggle of a laugh appearing on her lips asked, “are we feeding the entire block or?”

Maximus rumbled with laughter and bounced his shoulders. “I figured we might need a midnight snack, and I’m never above leftovers.”

“Mm, look at you making me like you more.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, Eden Sage likes me. Openly admitted it without being sassy about it, too. Look at us getting somewhere where you ain’t frontin’ like you ain’t feeling the boy.”

“Here you go,” Eden huffed, rolling her eyes and waving him off. “I’m not complimenting you anymore. Arrogant ass.”

“Nah, too late. You like that shit, you might as well continue. What else you like?”

Eden tucked her lip while Maximus took the empty plates and set them in front of them.

On Eden’s plate was a little bit of everything.

After their impromptu nights together, grabbing food and chatting it up, he learned that Eden liked to taste everything.

In moderation because she was worried about her contracts and future projects and wanted to maintain her physique.

He understood, but he also wanted her to be comfortable and happy.

“I like that you pay attention,” Eden hummed, watching him put just enough on her plate. “Even if it is a little stalkerish. I like that too. That borderline obsession is lowkey sexy.”

“Don’t speak too soon, I ain’t been in your skin yet, I might not want to leave. I'm going to go from ‘that nigga sexy’ to ‘he’s on my fuckin’ nerves’.”

“Well, in all fairness, I’ve never had anyone who wanted to stay in my skin. Just wanted to control me.”

“I don’t want to control you. If anything, I want you comfortable. Happy. To be yourself always. You’ve let that silliness slip out a few times. The minute you start smiling too much or giggling, you stop. I don’t want that. Laugh as much as you want, as much as you need.”

Eden was enthralled with every word that came out of his mouth. Her chin resting in her palm, gazing at him. “What do you need?”

“That peace and understanding you keep offering me. That shit is top tier. I’ve never had that. Not without condition.”

Eden reached out and touched the chain she purchased earlier. “We should eat.”

“We should.”

After dinner and dessert, Maximus and Eden were headed out of Bluefin. Maximus was in the process of requesting the valet to get his truck when Eden tugged on his pocket.

“Ever played Velocity Vortex?” Eden asked, spotting the new vintage arcade across the street.

“You know who you talking to? I used to hustle niggas out the arcade in Trae Way and sell them packs.”

“Well, I don’t need to be hustled or to buy a pack, but I would like to beat your ass in it.”

Before Maximus could respond, Eden was starting across the street with haste.

Her ample ass switching from side to side in her heels.

Handing the bags of take-out to the valet with instructions to put them in his truck along with a tip, he quickened behind her.

His head on a swivel – whether he was uptown, midtown, downtown, or in the middle of Trae Way, he was always vigilant.

He felt that the day he stopped being watchful was the day someone could take him out.

Inside the arcade, Maximus stayed close while they caught the attention of the gamers. “Don’t take off like that again.”

Eden wiggled against his warmth and directive. “I thought those long legs could keep up. I see I was mistaken. And none of these little boys in here are going to do anything to either of us.”

“You think that,” he grumbled, gently spanking her hips. “What’s the rules?”

“Let me win. I’m not a gambling woman, I just want victory in something before I'm folded like a lawn chair and slapping bitches behind you.”

“Oh word?”

Eden smirked devilishly as she slid into the virtual car seat. “You heard me.”