Page 14 of Consumed By You

The hostess holds two menus and waits for us to follow her despite the groups of people waiting for a table.

“Don’t we have to wait?”

“No, Darcy. We don’t.”

What it must be like to have power.

I try to ignore the pang of jealousy that surges through me as the hostess bends down to try to show Benjamin the specials.

Yeah, yeah. You have big tits. You don’t have to flash him, sweetheart.

“Sophia will be your server,” she announces with exuberance. “I can get your drinks, though. What would you like, sir?”

Am I invisible?

“Darcy?” he asks, glancing over to me.

Ha!

“Whatever you’re having is fine.”

He turns back to the hostess. “Chardonnay then. A bottle, please.”

“Absolutely, sir.” She hurries off.

I study my menu. “What’s good here? I’ve never had sushi.”

“Oh.” His brows curve with sincerity. “Are you okay with eating here? We could go somewhere else if you’d like.”

“No, no. I’m sure this is great; I just don’t know what to get.”

“I could order for you, if you’d like.”

“That would be great. Thank you, Mr. Scott.”

“I’d prefer it if you’d call me Benjamin.”

“Really? Doris told me that you like formality.”

“I do…usually,” he murmurs, running his long, slender fingers across his curvaceous lips.

“Why am I different? We practically just met.”

“I honestly can’t tell you why because I don’t know, Darcy.”

The waitress steps up to us and I quickly realize she is yet another fan of the man across from me. Benjamin holds her gaze impassively, not intimidated whatsoever by her brazen ogling.

“I’m Sophia—I’ll be your server tonight. I know Stacie is getting your drinks. Have you decided what you’d like to have?”

“Omakase for both of us, please,” Benjamin orders politely, although with his cultured baritone, it sounds more like a demand.

“Of course.” She smiles just a smidge too long at him, only leaving to put our order in.

Benjamin leans in his chair, pressing a hand to the tablecloth. “So, tell me about yourself.”

I purse my lips cheekily. “I have a vague memory that you already asked me that.”

I earn an exasperated look from him at my bad attempt at witty banter. “Those questions were for work. I’d like to know more about you personally.”