Chapter 6
Chez Riviera was an upscale French bistro in an area downtown where Lisa rarely went.She’d never been to the Chez,as it wascalled,but the few times she’d driven past it,she always envied the celebrities she saw dining on the covered patio.Even the restaurant’s website was posh,and the menu was written in a patois of French and English that made everything sound divine.The fact that there were no prices listed only underscored how expensive it was.
She couldn’t wait to go.
Their reservation was at seven,which was a bit late,but it worked out given the laid-back day Nick had planned for her.Breakfast at a crêperie food truck parked by the river,a leisurely stroll along the canal afterwards.Then a trip to themovie theater—her choice,and Nick didn’t complain when she chose a sappy,feel-good love story over the latest superhero action flick.Lunch at Milly’s was toasted paninis and homemade chips outside in the café’s secluded backyard.The high wooden fence kept the noise and traffic of the city from intruding,and the branches stretched overhead added a lush ambiance to their meal.They sipped wine and cuddled in a back booth,and before they left,Nick picked a wild rose from the garden and tucked it behind her ear.
The afternoon was spent at the outdoor mall.Nick followed Lisain and out of every store without comment,a smile on his face as she tried on outfit after outfit and modeled each for him.She didn’t spend much,but she didn’t need to—trying on the clothes was fun enough,and having Nick watch her added to her enjoyment.It was so good not to have to rush through anything,to linger over purses and shoes and jewelry without being hurried along.Now and then she’d catch sight of him seated near the dressing room,head propped up on one hand,eyes shut as he snoozed.But he carried the things she did buy,and he let her enjoy herself.
“It’s your birthday,”he reminded her when she thanked him for being so nice.“Show me how thankful you are tonight.”
By the time they reached the Chez,she felt like a princess,pampered and pleased in every way.Ray was already seated,and as the ma?tre d’led them to their table,he stood and gave Lisa a warm hug.“Happy birthday,beautiful,”he murmured into her ear.“I always knew wanted a piece of me.”
“I have to admit,”Lisa said,sitting into the chair Nick held out for her,“the thought of getting it on with two sexy guys at the same time has me wet already.”
Nick choked on his wine and glanced around,but no one seemed tohave overheard.A pale blush colored his face.“Can we save the trash talk for the bedroom?”
With a laugh,Lisa reached over and patted his cheek.“Aww,poor baby.Don’t want anyone to know we’re having a threesometonight?”
A throat cleared behind her,and Nick’s flush deepened as the waiter stammered,“Uh,okay?Should I maybe come back,or…?”
“We’re ready,”Ray assured him.In flawless French,he took the liberty of ordering for all of them.Appetizers,salads,entrees,desserts.As the food began to appear,it soon became obvious Ray had ordered a little bit of everything,and they sampled and shared every plate.
While they ate,Ray chatted about a role he’d landed in a television series and Nick talked about his latest modeling gig.Lisa concentrated on the food,savoring each bite.At somepoint,Ray winked at her and said,“I think we’re ignoring the guest of honor.”
“I think she’s ignoring us,”Nick replied with a grin.“Careful,hon,or you’ll be so full,you’ll fall asleep as soon as we get home.”
“Oh no,”Lisa assured them,“I’m saving room for both of you.It isn’t every day a girl turns thirty,you know.”
Nick’s grin widened.“I thought it was twenty-nine again?”
Ray laughed.“My mother’s twenty-ninth twenty-ninth is coming up next month,now that I think of it.”
“Lisa’s only having two,”Nick told him.“After this one,she’s going to age backward.”
“Better marry her while she’s still legal,”Ray teased.
The color returned to Nick’s face and he ducked his head as Lisa laughed.“We’ve been together this long,”she pointed out.“Why ruin it by getting married now?”
****
Ray had taken the bus to Chez Riviera,so as Nick paid the check,Ray walked Lisa to their car.He had Nick’s keys and unlocked it,then surprised her by opening the rear passenger side door for her,as if it were a limo and not a Honda Civic.“M’lady,”he intoned with a bow.
Lisa stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.“So chivalrous.But why the back seat?I want shotgun.”
“Ah,but Her Highness doesn’t ride up front with the chauffeur,”Ray joked.“It’s frowned upon in royal circles.”
She slapped his arm playfully.“Please.It’s my birthday.I call shotgun.”
Suddenly Nick’s arms wrapped around her waist,and he kissed the side of her neck.“Now,now,dear.It’s your birthday but we’re pampering you.So slide on into the back seat with me andlet’s see how far things go between us before we get home.”
His hands slid over her belly,one darting up under her shirt and the other dipping over her tummy to cup her crotch through her jeans.With a girlish giggle,she let him help her into the back,crawling towards the far end of the seat and then turning as Nick lay down above her to claim a kiss.Ray slammed the door shut,then hurried around the other side of the car to get in the driver’s seat.As he started the engine,he glanced in the rearview mirror at them,his eyes stern.“Hey,you two!Don’tget too busy without me.”
“Get back here with us,then.”Nick’s words were muffled;hehad Lisa’s shirt up over her stomach and was nipping at the front closure of her bra with his teeth.
“You better wait,”Ray threatened.“Hard to have a threesomewith just the two of you.Don’t make me get stopped for speeding back to your house.”
Lisa laughed and squirmed beneath Nick’s hot breath.“I can just see the look on the cop’s face when he sees us back here getting it on.”
“And our threesome becomes a foursome,”Nick said.Then he stopped and sat up,eyes wide as a sudden thought hit him.“Hey…”
“No,”Lisa said,pushing him away so she could sit up,too.“Don’t even say it.”
“What?”Nick pouted with a wounded look on his face.“I was just going to say maybe—”
“My birthday,my rules,”Lisa reminded him.“Or you can drive and let Ray and me get it on back here instead.”
Nick pouted harder.“You don’t even know what I was going to suggest.”
But Lisa did.“You were going to say let’s call Beth.I told you,I’ll ask her when you turn thirty.Tonight’s all about me.”
From the front seat,Ray smiled at them in the rearview mirror.“With me.”
Nick leaned forward and kissed Lisa’s bare stomach,where her shirt was still rucked up.“And me.Are we home yet?I’m readyalready.”