Behind Closed Doors by Ashelyn Drake Page B

Caroline as she glares at me and walks away. “You don’t have to pay for me,” I say once we’re alone again.
     
    “Don’t sweat it. It’s a new item on the menu. I have a thing for mocha. Dad said we didn’t need to add any new desserts, but I disagreed. If you want to pay me back, you can rave about the cake on the comment cards at the hostess booth.”
     
    “Deal.”
     
    Darren stares at me for a moment. “You know, if you’re going to have the mocha cake, you should really try this wine we just got in. The two go together perfectly. Hang on a second. I’ll tell Caroline to bring us two glasses.”
     
    I watch him get up and walk to the bar. His dark jeans hug him in all the right places. As long as he doesn’t figure out he’s about to serve an underage college co-ed, the rest of the night looks promising.
     
    I jump as Noelle and Andy suddenly show up at the table. “What are you doing?” I ask them in a hushed tone.
     
    “We came to say goodbye,” Noelle says, but she quickly adds, “Oh wait, we can’t leave. You won’t have a ride home.”
     
    Damn it. She’s right. It’s not like I can hang out all night while Darren works his shift. I’d look pathetic, but I don’t want to leave yet either.
     
    “There’s a bus stop around here, right?” I ask, thinking fast.
     
    Andy nods. “At the traffic light on the corner, but you shouldn’t walk alone at night.”
     
    Andy and his overprotective R.A. speeches. I resist the urge to roll my eyes because I know he means well. “I’ll make sure I leave before it gets dark, Dad .”
     
    “Have fun,” Noelle says, “but not too much. He looks older than us.”
     
    “I know.” I smile and wave. Being older is part of Darren’s appeal. The incoming freshman guys aren’t going to be much different than high school guys, and I’m over the games they play. I think Noelle and Andy work so well together because he’s older than she is. He’s mature in a way guys our age aren’t.
    Darren walks back to the table carrying two glasses of wine. “Our food should be here in a minute.” He hands me a glass, and I take a sip without hesitation.
     
    Holy crap that’s good wine! “Thanks. This is delicious.”
     
    “Just wait until you try it with the cake.” He leans over the table, closing the distance between us, and flashes me a sexy smile.
     
    Again, as if on cue, Caroline returns. It’s almost like she’s stalking our table—or, more accurately, Darren. “All set.” She smiles at Darren as she places his steak and fries in front of him. She doesn’t even bother looking at me as she shoves the cake down. “Can I get you anything else, Darren?”
     
    “No, we’re all set. Thanks, Caroline.”
     
    She lingers, not wanting to leave. “Yeah, thanks,” I say, snapping her out of her Darren-induced trance. I can’t really blame her though. He’s nice to look at.
     
    “It seems weird that I’m eating dessert while you haven’t had your meal yet,” I say once Caroline walks away.
     
    “Not at all. In fact, I’ve been known to eat my dessert first every once in a while.” He smiles again, and I notice how it reaches his eyes.
     
    “A guy who knows what he wants—I like it.”
     
    He reaches forward and takes my fork. “May I?”
     
    I’m assuming all the dessert talk made him hungry so I nod, but he breaks a piece off and holds the fork out to me. He wants to feed me. Wow! I lick my lips, keeping my eyes locked on his, and open my mouth. He’s right about the mocha cake. It’s heavenly. A moan escapes my lips, making his smile widen.
     
    “Like heaven in your mouth, right?”
     
    I can’t even answer because between the cake and the way he’s looking at me, I’m in a euphoric stupor.
     
    “Now have a sip of the wine.”
     
    I raise the glass and sip. The flavors couldn’t compliment each other better. “That’s incredible.”
     
    “I know.”
     
    “Would you like some?” I push the plate