Chapter 4 The Dinner

When they returned to Tank's home the cats showed themselves for dinner. Stephanie picked up the white fluff ball that she has held some many times while she was there.

"Hi there Snowball" Stephanie said to the cat.

"She is purring Pierre" Then Steph let her down.

"I guess I should put on the new dress on and you go get cleaned up so we can go out." Stephanie said to Pierre.

"I think that is a great idea" the he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to him. He then kissed her on the lips and then went to his bedroom to get ready.

"Wow, can he kiss" Steph said to herself then she went to her room and put on her dress. Which was much easier to do then putting on her shirt and pants.

She zipped up her dress and looked at herself in the mirror. "I think this will shock him." She once again said to herself. It was a long blue dress with a slit in the left leg and she put black heels on so that she was a couple inches shorter the Tank.

She was just finishing her make up when she heard a knock on the door.

"I am just finishing up, Pierre I will be out in two minutes."

"Okay Steph I made reservations at St. Martins Restaurant for Seven PM so we better get going or we are going to be late." Tank told her.

"I am coming" then she opened her door and his face dropped.

"Wow you look awesome baby girl" Tank said

"You too I love the tux." Steph said as she walked out of her bedroom.

Tank walked over to the couch and grabbed her long sleeved jacket and helped her put it on. Then Tank grabbed his dress jacket and they walked to the garage.

He opened the door for her and she got in Tank's BMW car. He then got in and they drove to St. Martins Restaurant.

They got there at six forty five and he gave the car to the bus boy who was taking care of the cars.

They then went inside and Steph was in shock there were chandlers and then she noticed the waterfalls that were draining into a fountain. The tables all had candles on them and had white tablecloths.

"Tank I can't believe this, is gorgeous." Steph said as she put her hand to her chest.

"I aim to please" Tank said to her.

"Now let's go and get our table" He took her arm in his and they walked to the waiter.

"I have a reservation for two under the name Sherman." Tank to him.

"Of course right this way." And then the waiter showed them to their table which was right across a water fall.

The waiter pulled out Stephanie's chair for her and she sat down. Then Pierre sat down directly across from her.

"Pierre can you afford a place like this?" Steph asked him.

"Yes, baby girl I can and I told you I would show you what it would be like to date someone who can take care of you." Tank said with a smile and then he took her hand.

"I am so glad that we are giving each other a chance." Pierre said to Steph.

"I agree, I am just worried as to how Ranger is going to react whenever he comes home. And what are we going to do about Lula she is already trying to come between us." Stephanie told him.

"Don't worry about Lula she does not mean a thing to me and she won't try anything serious to split us up, it is Ranger that worries me more." Pierre replied to her.

"But enough of that talk for now let's just enjoy the music and dance with me." Tank said as he stood up and took her by the hand and let her to the center of the room.

He took her into his arms and started to dance to a slow song, Steph just put her arms around his broad shoulders and she let him take lead. They danced for three songs and then Steph's stomach growled.

"I think we should get some food Pierre." Stephanie said as she looked into his deep brown eyes.

He then lowered his head and kissed her she stood there and embraced the deep kiss. He came up for air and said, "I agree we should eat."

They went back to the table and Pierre waved for the waiter. He came up with menus. Steph took one and then Pierre took the other one.

"What to have" Stephanie said.

"You can have anything you want baby girl" Pierre told her.

"I will have your steak medium rare and a baked potato with broccoli." Stephanie said to the waiter.

"I will have the bass with a bake potato and broccoli and a bottle of your finest red wine" Tank said to the waiter.

"Very well I will put this order in right away" then the waiter left.

"Pierre what is going on between us and why did it take so long?" Steph asked him.

"I love you Stephanie Plum and I think I was too scared to tell you because of Ranger, but after you were hurt in the bombing a few days ago I realized that if I did not say anything now that it would never come out and I would lose you to another man which I don't think I could handle." He said.

"I love you too Tank, I think I always did, but I to was scared of what Ranger and Lula would do." Stephanie responded.

"Well I think we should stop hiding our feelings for each other and finally act on them." Then Pierre leaned in and kissed her.

After a few minutes of more chit chat the food came and they finally were able to eat. After they ate then the bill came and Pierre payed for the meal on one of his credit cards and then they left to go back home.

When they got inside Tank opened the door and let Stephanie in, then he kissed her good night and walked to his bedroom and she went into her's.