"Chicken Parm for me." Marc looked toward Geno, the two of them smiling like a joke was being passed between them.
"I'll try whatever you whipped up today. I'm not picky." She handed over her menu before reaching for the wine bottle. She poured Marc a glass and then herself. Marc and Geno talked for a few minutes about Kari and her adventures in Maine.
"I'll have some salads out here for you guys soon." He popped Marc on the shoulder. "Hang on to this one, boy... She's something special."
"How so?" Lisa asked, leaning forward and letting her confidence find its place back on her features.
"You're willing to trust me and try my new creation. Smart girl. I know Italian food. I've cooked and eaten my share of it." He patted his large stomach and chuckled, the sound drawing Lisa's lips into a smile.
Geno walked away, singing something in a beautiful tenor. Lisa turned her attention back to Marc.
"Are we really going to pussyfoot around this conversation?" he spoke, leaning toward her, his stare pinning her in place. She reached across the table and ran her fingers through his unruly hair, sliding her hand down the side of his face.
"I can't have this conversation. I don't know how it will go and being vulnerable isn't something I'm interested in. I'll leave if you bring it up again. Got it?"
He nodded, placing his hand over hers and turning it to kiss her palm. "Fine. But we're talking about us before you leave tomorrow."
"I agree. Tonight let’s just enjoy the food, the wine and the possibility of you taking me violently again later tonight."
"Death, taxes and me wanting to fuck you senseless. All unavoidable events." He kissed her hand again and moved back. Lisa sat back in her seat, letting out a soft sigh.
"Tell me how your mom is."
"She's good. She's making a big lunch after church tomorrow. I told her I would drag you over there if you're free."
"She wants to see me?" Lisa laughed loudly, the emotion bringing a buzz of happiness to her. "She hates me."
"She does not. She's just a holy roller. Cursing and fucking offend her. It's not you... it's your wicked, sinful ways."
"So no telling her that you took me in a dressing room today?"
Marc visibly paled. Lisa laughed loudly again, leaning back and crossing one arm over her chest, her other hand tilting her glass of wine back and forth.
He was beyond stunning. His chestnut hair was almost too long, the large curls fitting him well. Dark brown eyes filled with mischief stared at her, his lips full and so very kissable.
"What’re you thinking?" He spoke softly, leaning forward and slipping his hand under the table. His fingers brushed by her knee softly as he watched her.
"I was thinking about how handsome you are."
"All the men in the world and I'm handsome?"
"Handsome. Sexy. Funny. Brilliant."
He laughed and sat back, picking up his glass. "I think you’re just horny. I'm not brilliant. I'll take those others and run with them, but brilliant?"
"I'm always horny when I let you infiltrate my senses." She took a sip of her wine, her lips lingering along the edge of the glass as she undressed him with her eyes. "Your degree is in biology. You're brilliant. Enough said. I'll not be stroking your ego."
"I have something else you can stroke." He set his glass down and winked at her as the server approached. Depositing salads before them, the young man worked fast to clear bread plates and move back out of the room.
"So you'll come to lunch tomorrow with us?" Marc asked.
"Yes. I need to get back to my parents tonight, but let's spend tomorrow night together if you're free. I leave Monday morning early."
"I'll clear my schedule." He looked down at his salad, his expression shifting again as he glanced back up. "I hope you've been as miserable dating other people as I have since we met. I'd hate to think I'm suffering alone here."
CHAPTER SEVEN
Lisa let the conversation die between them, the warning look she gave pensive and painful. She was stunned to think that he might feel the same. Even if he did... nothing was going to change. She didn't do long-distance relationships, or relationships in general. Falling in love with Marc couldn't change that. It was core to who she was as a person. She had built her identity on her sexuality, on her prowess. It was a protection if nothing else.
They finished dinner and Geno refused to let Marc pay. Lisa tugged at his arm, urging him to let the restaurant owner treat them.
"Thank you. See boy? Beautiful and smart. Hold on to her. Once in a lifetime." Geno reached over and touched Lisa's shoulder before popping Marc on the back again. "Get out of here and go live your life, eh? You only get one."
"Thanks, Geno." Marc opened the door as Lisa moved out onto the busy New York street. She turned to wait for Marc to move in beside her. "Let's go get the car and I'll get you home."
"Sounds good. Dinner was delicious. Just enough, but not too much."
"I can't believe you ate vegetable lasagna. Fucking nasty." Marc scrunched up his face.
"I like vegetables. Not everything has to be meat and potatoes."
"I would have taken you as a girl who loved a big piece of meat."
She turned toward him, pulling him against her as she flipped her hand around and cupped his crotch, leaning into him. "I like certain types, but it has to be a prime cut for me to even consider wasting my time on it."
He slid his hand over her and pressed his hips forward, rubbing himself subtly against her as his other hand slid along her neck, squeezing softly.
"I think you'll be quite pleased with what I'm packing. You didn't get a good look today, but I'd say by the convulsions of your sexy ass, you felt it."
She leaned in and nipped at his lips. "Are you wanting me to get up close and personal with it?"
"Do I want to see your mouth spread around my dick? Is that what you're asking me, you naughty girl?"
"Do you?" She pulled her fingers in a come hither, scratching at the stiffening base of his erection.
"I do. I need to. I want to see that sexy look on your face that says you can handle anything I can throw at you. I can't imagine not getting to live in that moment for a long time."
"Mmmm... So hot, Marc."
"Yes, you are, baby." He moved his hands to slide along her face, leaning down and kissing her in the middle of Times Square. People moved past them, but the world slowed down for a moment.
His fingers were warm and gripping, his lips so soft and wet. He explored her mouth, groaning into the kiss. The vibration of his actions brushed across her tongue. Her fingers dug into him, need rolling over her in crashing waves. She pulled back breathless, unsure of how things could get any hotter between them.
"We're going to get arrested for public indecency." She smiled and moved back, pulling her hands from him and letting out a long aggravated sigh.
He moved toward her, wrapping her in a side hug and moved them toward the parking garage. "I couldn't agree more. Many more kisses like that and I'm going to rip your panties off of you and have my way with you until you beg for mercy."
"More."