“At thirty grand a year membership, I’m sure it will,” I replied, giving her a wink.
“No way?”
“Keeps the riff-raff out,” I said.
A bottle of champagne was cooling beside the table and I poured us both a glass opting not to wait for someone else to do it. The restaurant, although it had waiting staff, obviously, was also about intimacy. Plants and objects such as statues and a fountain were strategically placed to give privacy to the clients. There was no table for more than two occupants. Veronica had said it was to keep the noise level to a minimum.
“I’m so glad you decided on this,” Gabriella said. “I was going a little stir-crazy indoors.”
“In what way?” I asked.
“I know this might seem silly but knowing the attacker might have my address has somewhat soured the house for me.”
I wasn’t sure I’d feel the same way but nodded anyway. “You are more than welcome to stay with me,” I offered.
She placed her hand over mine. “I know I’m welcome anytime but in spite of what I just said I feel I need to stay in my home alone, just to get over this silliness.”
I breathed a sigh of relief at that point. She wasn’t asking me to leave because she didn’t want me there, but so she could re-establish herself in the house and shrug the fear from her shoulders.
“I can totally get that. I just want you to do whatever it is that you want and to feel safe doing it.”
“That’s why I—” She was interrupted by a waiter with menus.
She never finished her sentence, instead we discussed the food options, marvelling at some of the choices. I had no doubts the restaurant would achieve Michelin stars at some point, if one could be given to aclubof its type.
We placed our orders and our chat moved to our families. Gabriella was keen to revisit my mother and showed concern when I’d said the police didn’t seem to have much to go on where the deception was concerned. We continued to chat through three courses of mouth-watering food.
We drank the champagne and moved on to a nice red. I kept my intake to a minimum knowing I had to drive. At some point we noticed the restaurant start to empty. We also saw how, when the bill was presented in a black leather folder, so was a key with a coloured tassel. Couples headed off to their respective rooms.
“Lucky people,” Gabriella said, laughing gently.
I signed our cheque and, reluctantly, led Gabriella to the hallway. “We didn’t say goodbye to Mackenzie,” she said.
“He seemed to have snuck off, didn’t you notice his empty table?” I laughed.
She shook her head, then took my hand. My car was ready, the engine running and on each seat were our phones.
The valet stood beside the passenger door. “Thank you for visiting, Ms. Collingsworth, Lord Duchoveny,” he said.
I slipped him a tip while he helped Gabriella into her seat then walked around the car to mine.
She sighed as she settled back and reached over to place her hand on my thigh. “I’ve had a lovely evening, thank you, Alex,” she said.
“There is no need to thank me. Although you keep rubbing your fingers in that exact spot if you want,” I said.
As she’d slid her hand to my thigh, her fingers just brushed my stiffening cock.
She chuckled and cupped the bulge, squeezing gently. “You keep your eyes on the road, my Lord,” she said, reaching over to undo my trousers. She freed my cock and wrapped one hand around it.
I took in a deep breath as she slid her hand up and down while I drove. The faster she moved, the harder it was to concentrate, moreso when she lowered her head and took me in her mouth.
“Jesus, Gabriella,” I hissed out.
I raised my hips causing my foot to lower slightly on the accelerator. Thankfully, we were on a rather empty motorway and I laughed as a camera flashed, wondering what image would be sent through with my speeding fine.
She released my cock from her mouth and whispered, “Find somewhere to pull over.”
I immediately indicated and pulled into the left-hand lane. Whatever the next junction was, I was taking it.
