Chapter 4

“Hello Melissa,” the words dripped from him like honey. Taking a seat on the stool next to hers at the bar, she quickly glanced in the mirror behind the bar.

The restaurant had a real Italian feel, it was owned by a Tony and Maria Rosetti, they were first generation Italian immigrants, they had four children, and they had at some point or another worked in their parents restaurant. Tony was working tonight, he loved to cook authentic Italian ingredients, always making everything himself from scratch. The food was out of this world and was one of Melissa’s favourites.

Maria was waiting on tonight, she approached the couple who were talking quietly “Ciao Bella, Melissa, you look beautiful tonight.”

Melissa smiled a genuine smile “Ciao Maria, how are you? And Thank you.”

The older lady was starting to look her age, she had grey streaks in her black hair, her brown eyes twinkled in the low lighting of the restaurant, her flowered dress and apron had been her favourite, but never seemed to look old.

Grabbing two menus, Maria led the the couple to a semi secluded table, this was the table that Tony and Maria always gave to Melissa, when she either ate there alone, or on a business meeting.

Melissa stopped at the table and Blake grabbed the chair and she sat down. “Such a gentleman.” Melissa said, Maria with her notepad out, “I’ll bring you two more boubon’s?”

Melissa stopped Maria “If it’s okay with Blake, could we have a bottle of red?”

Maria seemed to freeze, in all the time she’d known Melissa, she’d never once drank red wine on a business deal, even when her father was CEO and doing business in the area, if Melissa was with him, she always had bourbon.

“One bottle of red coming up.” The lady’s Italian accent coming through.

Maria dashed off, despite her years she could move.

“So red wine? Why do I get the feeling that you only ever drink bourbon?” Blake asked a perfectly sculpted eyebrow raised.

Smiling gently “I like Maria, but if she’d have got bourbon she’d have been back quickly, with red wine she has to go down to the cellar then pick a decent bottle, decant it, allow it to breathe for an hour, and we can take out time.”

Blake’s eyes sparkled with mischief, the table was simple a white table cloth, with a gingham table runner, a wicker basket of bread rolls, one of butter, and a jug of water, with two glasses.

Blake picked up the jug turning the hi ball glasses over “Water?” Melissa nodded, “Please.”

Blake’s mind wandered at this, the “Please” that came from Melissa’s direction, sounded so good to him, he wondered how it would sound making her beg for more. Shaking his head slightly, they made small talk, Maria came back and asked what they’d like for to eat, Blake picked the Lasagna al forno Melissa had linguini with roasted garlic Alfredo sauce.

“So tell me more about you Blake.” Melissa was a great conversationalist she knew all the topics and when it came to facts about people had an eidetic memory. A bit of a scatterbrain at other times but people she was great.

“So I have a brother and a sister. Brock and Andrea. They’re great. I live with my brother. It’s cheaper that way. My sister is still in high school. How about you you have any siblings?”

“Yeah a half brother. Ryan. He’s a pest but I love him dearly. He’s also in high school.” Melissa replied it’s true, she loved her younger brother more than life itself. He was, however, a pest and would often spoil dates by “protecting” his little sister. Yes little sister. He’s taller than Melissa at 6’ 6” he calls her shorty, squirt, little one even though he is nearly 16.

The food was brought to them along with the red wine, it was as always amazing, having finished a full bottle of wine, and both meals Melissa went to the bathroom.

Stepping in to the little room, it had enough for one person at a time, a toilet, small sink, a mirror. Checking her reflection Melissa spoke to the image of herself staring back at her “Ok give him a little kiss then leave. Go back to the office. Pick up my things, call Vinnie and go home.”

Unlocking the door, she walked back to the table, everything had been cleared away and Blake was nursing a bourbon, she noticed another one in her place, slipping into her seat she smiled “Shall we get the bill?” Melissa asked,

“I’ve least paid it.” Came the response, “Oh, normally I....”

“I know” Blake responded “You pay it forward, I was watching you at the coffee shop. Why do you do that?” Searching her eyes.

Melissa started to feel the full weight of his gaze on her, taking a swallow of bourbon, a small drop slipped out of her mouth and down her chin, Blake watched in anticipation as to what she would do, gently sticking out her tongue to catch the droplet, she caught it and sucked it into her mouth, Blake noticed how erotic that seemed even though it wasn’t, ‘God I need to get laid.’ Blake wasn’t the sort of guy to keep a woman around long, one maybe two dates at a push, he always made it clear that he wasn’t up for a long term thing, they got what they wanted, sexually and that was it. It suited him and the girls he went with. It was at that point he realised Melissa was talking.

“I pay it forward, because I haven’t always been fortunate with money, my dad worked hard to provide for me and eventually my step mother and half brother, so I try to spread a little bit of good. You never know when somebody could need it.” Blushing ever so lightly, Blake said something that shocked and interested Melissa “I bet you’re a good girl in all ways.”

The implications of his words were lost on Melissa but she played a long. “No there’s times when I can be very bad.”

A ringing cut the conversation dead. Blake gripped his phone “Excuse me.” Pressing the button he snarled into the device “Yes? Brock I....”

‘Brock’s his brother. There must be something wrong.’ Getting up from the table Melissa walked towards Tony who was having a drink

“Hey Bella, when are we going to see a ring on that finger?” Melissa smiled a vague non committal smile. “Tony I’m too busy to marry.” Sensing Blake behind her and hearing he’d finished his conversation he had a dark complicated expression on his face.

Blake was horny, his face always said so and he could see it in the mirror behind the bar. He wanted to bend her over the bar, and fuck her while everyone watched, and he wanted to mess her up, ruin her for others, to the point she wouldn’t be able to be with anyone else. Heat pools in his lower stomach, a fire had been lit in his loins.

Grabbing Melissa’s hand he pulled her out of the restaurant, “Blake woah slow down.” He wondered what was wrong with him, he didn’t want her talking to other men. Even older guys like Tony. He wanted to be the only one who talked to her.