Page 22 of Not in the Plans (London Lightning #1)

Chapter Eighteen

OLIVIA

I pick at a loose string on my gloves. Winter has settled in the city, and while I could wait for Tag inside, I don’t want to miss him. The date night I have planned is something so unlike me, I don’t know how I came up with it.

Well, I do know.

Imogen was talking about doing it with her newest boy toy, and well, why not?

After the heaviness of my confession to Tag about my parents, I wanted to get things back on track.

Things are supposed to be fun, not heavy. Heavy leads to more feelings, and more feelings lead to things going off plan.

“Hey, baby.”

Tag’s sultry voice as he walks towards me pulls me from my thoughts.

“Wow.”

He certainly got the dress code right. He didn’t balk at all when I told him he needed to dress nicer for the evening.

Not that he doesn’t look sexy at all times, but with the buttoned-up shirt, tie, and sport coat, he looks positively dreamy.

“You clean up nicely,” I tell him, tugging him close by the strap of his overnight bag crossed over his chest.

“It’s a shame I can’t see what’s under this coat.”

The black coat reaches my knees, hiding the slinky dress underneath. I’m in my least sensible pair of heels for the evening.

“You’ll see it soon enough.”

Pecking his cheek, I hold my hand out to hail a taxi.

“Still no hint of where this epic date is that you’re taking me on?”

Tag opens the door to the taxi, and I step inside, giving the driver the address.

“Don’t you want to be surprised?”

His hand rests on my knee as the driver pulls away into the evening. I rest my hand over his, dragging my fingers along the veins in his hand.

Tag leans over and nips at my ear. “I don’t care what we do, as long as I’m doing it with you.”

Cupping his cheek, I pull his mouth towards mine and kiss him. I don’t care that we’re in the back of a dark taxi. I need his touch more than anything.

It’s a scary thought, but the moment his tongue touches mine, every thought flies from my head.

All I want is Tag.

Heat swirls around us as desire takes root in my chest. I arch into his touch as he swallows my quiet gasps.

Something I’ve learned about Tag is he is an excellent kisser. Soft. Firm. Controlled.

I’ve never experienced anything like it.

“Here.”

I’m in a daze as I pull back, staring at his lust-filled eyes .

“Want to say fuck it to the evening and head home?” Tag asks, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear.

I shake my head, pulling out the fare to pay the cab driver. “No.”

He groans next to me. “Fine.”

“Trust me. You’ll enjoy this evening.”

“And where exactly is this evening taking place?” A row of townhouses is stretched out before us as we step onto the sidewalk. “Are you going to harvest my organs?”

I swat at his chest as I find the correct house. It’s white stone with a black door and a light shining out the front window.

“There will be none of that this evening,” I tell him, linking hands and dragging him towards the door. “Not that I would have the pertinent skills to do that.”

“That’s the only thing that is stopping you?”

Tag laughs as I knock on the door. The door opens to reveal a woman dressed in a black silk robe. Her dark hair is slicked back in a low bun and her face is expertly made up.

“You must be Miss Montrose.”

“Hi there.”

“Welcome, welcome.” She sweeps us into the entryway. “Welcome to the Lust Supper.”

The door clicks shut behind us as Tag crowds behind me.

“Did I hear her correctly?” he whispers.

“Please, follow me. My name is Wendy and I will be your host this evening.”

I don’t reply as I follow her up two sets of stairs. The walls are bare, nothing but paint coating them. On the second floor, a small table sits holding a single lamp and mirror. We’re led to another room right off the landing.

“This will be your room for the evening. Once you’re ready, dinner will be served across the hall. It will be ready whenever you are, and once finished, you may return to your room for the rest of the evening. As a reminder, the rooms are soundproof, so you can be as loud or as quiet as you like.”

With a wink, she bows her way out of the room and the two of us are left alone.

The lamps are dim, covered in red silk, casting romantic shadows across the room. The large bed is covered in rose petals, and a bottle of champagne rests in a silver bucket on the dresser.

“Okay, what is this ‘Lust Supper?’” Tag asks, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall.

The look he fixes me with has me squeezing my legs together.

“Exactly what it sounds like. We enjoy a sexy meal together, a couples massage if we want one, and then we get to spend the night here.”

Tag stalks towards me like I’m the prey he is going to devour. His fingers find the buttons on my coat and unfasten them. His eyes widen as he pushes the soft material over my shoulders.

“Damn, Liv. This might be the best surprise of all.”

The strapless red dress dips between my breasts. It is ruched on the sides and hits mid-thigh. It’s simple, but it has the intended effect as Tag runs his hands over me.

“Do you like it?”

“Fuck, yes. I can’t wait to peel you out of it after dinner.”

I rest my hands on his chest. “I can’t wait to peel you out of this.”

Tag groans, burying his face in my neck. “Are you sure we have to go to dinner? ”

I pull back, taking his hands in mine and backing out of the room. “Yes. Because we’ll need our energy.”

“Oh yeah?” The look on his face is downright sinful.

“C’mon. The faster we eat, the faster we can get back in here.”

He crowds behind me as we walk into the other room. Heavy, velvet curtains cover the windows. Soft music plays from a speaker. Candles dripping wax sit on the table.

“You outdid yourself on this, Liv.”

Tag helps me into my seat as Wendy appears with a tray of food.

“Feel free to take your time. Oysters. A pasta dish with a chili sauce. Chocolate dipped strawberries, and figs to finish off the meal. And,” she flourishes her arm, “red wine for both. Bon appétit.”

Wendy disappears, leaving the two of us together, sitting side by side. Tag grabs his glass and holds it up.

“Cheers to a sexy evening, Olivia.”

“Cheers, Stanley.”

I clink my glass to his before taking a sip of the robust drink, then I pick up an oyster with the tiny fork.

“I had no idea you had something like this in you.”

Stabbing the meat, I hold it out to Tag. “I guess I’m full of surprises.”

The way his lips close over the tines has my body shuddering. Heat bursts in his dark eyes as he licks his lips.

“Delicious.” He takes the fork from me and gets my own bite ready for me. “Your turn.”

The entire meal is like this. Feeding one another. Staring into each other’s eyes.

My need for the man sitting across from me is at an all-time high. Being here in this small room, eating these sensual foods, is turning me on in a way I’ve never felt before .

I’m drunk on lust for Tag. By the time he holds a strawberry out for me to eat, I’m ready to throw him down on the table and have my way with him. I close my lips around his fingers, dragging my tongue over them.

I have never felt so wanton in my life.

And we haven’t even gotten to the last surprise sitting in my bag.

Wendy knocks on the door, peeking her head inside. “Shall we start the massages?”

“You know what, Wendy? I think we’ll pass,” Tag says, not looking at her.

“They are included,” she clarifies.

My nipples pebble under his stare. I don’t want a couples massage. All I want is to be with Tag.

Something that we both seem to be in agreement on. His tone leaves no room for argument.

“Not tonight.”