Page 52 of Find Me in the Rain

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“Name, please.” The maître d’ glances up to us and then back down to his list.

“Kostelecky. I called earlier today.” His voice surprises me. It’s assertive and full, not like the laughing tone he just used in the limo.

His eyes shoot up, widening. Stumbling over his words, he responds, “Oh, yes, sir. Of course. Right this way.”

Alec slides his hand into mine and follows behind the man, giving me a mischievous smile. I squint my eyes at him, wondering what he’s up to.

But more than anything, I’m taken aback at how the maître d’s demeanor completely changed when he realized who Alec was. His social status is something that I will never get used to.

A couple stands up, heading our way, which forces me to step behind Alec with my hand still locked into his. We pass through a curtained doorway, and I step out from behind him. When I look up, my feet stagger, and Alec quickly drops my hand and steadies me.

When I finally gain my footing, I take in the room. “Ho-how did you do all this?”

Lights are hanging all over from the ceiling, creating the most romantic glow. And the table is set with roses and candles.

He leans in and presses the sweetest kiss to my forehead. “I’m not the same teenage boy I was before. I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve now, just you wait.” He winks at me and pulls my chair out.

Settling into it, I open the menu, trying to keep the redness in my cheeks at bay.

He chuckles, stretching his free hand out. When his eyes find mine, they are engulfed in want and need, fueling the barely controlled blush all over my body.

“I missed you, Lu.”

His thumb strokes slowly over my palm, and shivers shoot up my arm.

I smile at him, letting the desire show in my eyes. “I missed you too, Alec. You have no idea.”

His hand squeezes mine. “I’d like to find out.” He smirks and then runs his tongue over his bottom lip.

The waitress approaches us, and when she notices Alec, she lowers her chin, batting her eyelashes.

Oh God, here we go.

She clears her throat. “What can I get you to drink?” She attempts to sound sexy—annoyingly enough, to any guy in the vicinity, I think she does.

She only looks at Alec, but his gaze hasn’t left mine.

“Jack and Coke, please.”

She continues to bat her eyelashes at Alec, whose eyes still haven’t wavered from mine.

She doesn’t even turn to me when she asks, “And for you?” Her tone is annoyed and dripping with jealousy.

Aw, it must be so hard for her.

I look up and wait for her to meet my eyes. A streak of self-assurance hums through me.

When her eyes find mine, I sit back in my seat, forcing her gaze to stay locked on me. Her false confidence wavers.

“I’ll have ice water with a slice of lemon, please, and a side of respect. Thank you. That’s all.”

I turn back to Alec, whose jaw is now on the floor, and he’s barely containing his laughter. The waitress sees his giggles and storms off.

His gorgeous hazel eyes find mine, and his thumb continues to stroke my palm. “Laura Young. Tsk-tsk-tsk. Youfuckingamaze me.”

I smirk at him, bathing in his compliment.