A Taste of Spring

Chapter 6

Spring looked around the place then settled her attention back on Dez. His face was alight with interest as he stared at her. If she didn't watch herself, she might get lost in those soulful gray eyes of his. "Your friends have a really nice place."

"Well," he began but stopped when the server she'd almost knocked over appeared at their table. "Chris," Dez said, glancing up at the server.

"Dezmond," the server gritted out. He placed a basket of bread, two wine glasses, a glass of water, and a bottle of wine on the table then looked at Spring. His look of boredom was quickly replaced with a winning smile. "Is there anything else I can get you?" he winked. "Anything at all."

Amused, Spring started to tell him that she was fine but Dez answered for her.

"Go away, Chris."

Chris chuckled as he gave her a slight bow then walked off.

"I apologize. Chris can be a bit immature."

"It's not a problem, really." Besides, she found Chris's flirting adorable. He clearly wanted to ruffle Dez's feathers.

"I'm thinking eating here was a mistake." Dez looked over his shoulder.

Spring followed his gaze to an area where some of the staff were gathered. At least ten employees were talking as they periodically looked over at their table.

Dez turned back to her, his brows furrowed. "I know we just met but what do you say we get this to go? I live just around the corner. We can eat, maybe hang out. I don't know...I just don't want the night to end just yet."

Spring knew that going to his place was a no-no. She didn't know him and if this had been a chance meeting like he thought it was, she would never even consider leaving with him. Only, this wasn't a meeting of chance. It was a job and she felt she still had to see it through.

"You aren't a murdering psycho, who cut up women and wear their skin, are you?"

"Only during business hours. At night I'm just a regular guy." Dez reached into his pocket and took out what looked to be his wallet. He pulled out his license and slid it across the table. "You can trust that I won't do anything crazy. Snap a pic of that and send it to your family and friends." Spring raised a questioning brow. "I know," he chuckled, "it's little insurance but I just don't want to say good night just yet."

"Honestly, I don't either," Spring admitted.

"Great." Dez got to his feet and jogged over to the area where the gathering of employees stood. He said a few words to them then disappeared through a swinging door. Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

Spring lifted the identification card and looked it over. She giggled when she read his middle name. Huckleberry?

(Who in the world named him that?)

Spring took an image of his license then sent it to Summer with a text saying that she was leaving with Dez. Almost immediately her phone chimed with the tone that signaled she received a text.

Summer: You can't be serious. Don't go to his place

Spring: He's nice. Stop worrying

Summer: Famous last words. I'm gonna call Grams

Spring: You tell, I tell

Summer: Fine. He kills you and leaves a piece of candy on your body, I get your clothes. Win for me

Spring: TTYL

Summer: Whatever

Right after Spring pressed the send key for her last text, a shadow fell over her. She bit back a gasp then sighed when she realized it was Dez. The mention of killer and candy in the same sentence must have gotten to her.

"I settled with the kitchen and got our food to go. Do you mind sitting in the waiting area until our food is ready?"

Spring shook her head, "No."

Dez helped her with her chair then took her by the hand and led her back to the waiting area. Spring couldn't help but add "considerate" to the mounting list of things she liked about him. They could have sat at the table until their food was brought to them but he knew that people were waiting to dine in.

And he didn't want the attention we were getting from the staff, her inner voice whispered, but she ignored it.

She wasn't sure what she expected when she decided to do this job, but she didn't expect Dez to be as gorgeous as he was, as helpful, and as thoughtful. He definitely didn't need a paid escort, because by the way the women, customers, and employees were eyeing him, he could have company any time he desired.

They didn't talk as they stood in the crowded room waiting for their food to be brought out. Spring wasn't sure why, Dez was certainly standing close enough to her to engage her in small talk. Instead, Dez just smiled whenever she looked in his direction. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach whenever their eyes met, so Spring did her best to avoid his entrapping beautiful gaze. That, along with the alluring smile that put his beautiful white teeth and dimpled cheeks on display.

God...dimples, Spring thought as she tried to focus her attention on anyone and anything but Dez.

The customers who filled the waiting room talked about everything from food choices to the events happening in the news. It was all very interesting but Spring couldn't concentrate on any of it. The only topic of interest was to her left, and his attention was pinned on her.