Chapter 272
Ellie’s POV
The place Dominic wound up taking me to that night was a lounge in the neutral territory. The sign out front glowed neon, displaying the name of the lounge, with a depiction of a woman sitting on a crescent moon.
Dominic’s Beta dropped us off out front. Before I could get out, Dominic ran around to my side of the car and opened my door for me, offering his hand.
I hesitated but took it, and let him help me out of the car.
Inside, the air smelled like expensive perfume and even more expensive liquor. A woman in a shimmering red gown was singing in front of a golden microphone on a stage against the far wall. Everything was dark and moody and all of the guests were dressed impeccably.
The host led us to a booth that was more private than the tables, with curtains that could be drawn shut around it if we wanted. I didn’t reach for them as I sat.
“Negroni,” I said to the waiter when he came to take our orders. I checked my nails while Dominic ordered his own drink and an appetizer to share.
“You look nice tonight,” Dominic said once we were alone.
I glanced down at the simple black cocktail dress I’d chosen for tonight. I hadn’t exactly gone out of my way to get dressed up; my hair was still in its braid, and I’d foregone makeup entirely. I didn’t intend to stay out for long.
“Thanks,” I said. I looked at him. He’d selected a white button down with the first two buttons open, the sleeves rolled partially up his forearms. I hated that he looked good. Like, really good. “You’re not so bad, yourself.”
His mouth curved. “You’re just saying that to be nice.”
“Since when have I ever been nice for the sake of it?” I asked.
Dominic looked like he wanted to say something, but seemed to think better of it. Our drinks came along with a steaming plate of oysters. He took a sip from his drink and leaned back, crossing his legs.
“So,” he said. “It’s been a while since we’ve gone out like this.”
I looked around. At the guests. The singer. The decor. Anything but him. “This is a nice place.”
“I knew you’d like it.” Dominic leaned in a little. “I knew you’d enjoy laughing at the rich drunk people.”
As he said it, he nudged me with his elbow, nodding toward a couple by the stage who were leaning heavily on each other, practically holding one another up as they swayed-or rather, staggered-to the music.
My lips twitched. “You’re not wrong.”
“I’m rarely wrong about you,” he said.
“Well. You’re consistently wrong lately about one very large thing.”
Dominic’s expression fell a little. “Listen, Ellie.” He set his drink down. “I just worry about you, that’s all.”
“So you decide to be a jealous and controlling ass because you ‘worry’?”
He pursed his lips. “You haven’t exactly made it easy.”
“Don’t try to push the blame on me.”
“I’m not.” He sighed. Pinched the bridge of his nose. “Look. Can we just have one good night?” He picked up an oyster and held it out to me. “Even if we have to pretend?”
I looked at the oyster. It glistened with butter and smelled like fresh garlic. It admittedly made my mouth water.
Parting my lips, I let Dominic tilt the shell against my tongue. The oyster slipped down easily, melting in my mouth before it even hit the back of my throat. I shut my eyes for a moment, savoring the flavor as it burst through my senses.
When I opened my eyes, Dominic was looking at me still.
“Oysters are aphrodisiacs, you know,” I said, taking a sip of my drink.
He looked like he was trying not to laugh. “They say that about a lot of things.”
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