Connor looked at his watch impatiently. It was 6:45 pm, and the reservation at Laurels was for seven. Where was Sara? Mary had promised him that she would have her ready and there on time. Not that he was worried about losing the reservation or anything, he was just really anxious to see Sara.
"For fucks sake it's just dinner," he muttered and tugged at the color of his shirt. As well as having spent most of the day before trying to find a gift for Sara he had also bought some slightly dressier clothes at Mary's recommendation. He wore a pair of khaki slacks with a brown belt and shoes and a long sleeve blue button down shirt. He hadn't been this dressed up in ages.
But who was he kidding, it wasn't just dinner. It was her birthday, not to mention what could be considered their first official date even though they had already been together for a month.
Putting his hands inside his pockets, Connor's fingers brushed the case of the small jewelry box that was there. He wondered if Murphy ever got like this around Mary.
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Sara sat, hands clutched tightly in her lap, in the back seat of the cab. When Mary had finally explained that Connor was taking her out to dinner the first thing that had crossed her mind was that she didn't have anything to wear. She had told this to Mary who had laughed and simply said, "Not to worry. That's the other part of your present from Murphy and me. And it isn't white."
She smoothed her hands over the fabric of the dress and smiled. Mary had picked well.
"Here you go miss."
Looking up, Sara saw that she had reached her destination. She paid the driver and pulled open the door, putting one foot out onto the sidewalk.
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When Connor saw the taxi pull up he felt his heart skip a beat. When the first arm and leg appeared he swallowed, and when the passenger had fully emerged he stared.
Sara looked incredible. Not only was her hair and makeup done, but the dress she was wearing… he felt a familiar sensation down south but forced it back.
It was brown and hugged her figure perfectly. With smock capped sleeves, a deep v-neck line that ended in a gather just below her breasts, which then flowed into an A-line skirt that ended at the knee. And on her feet she wore a pair of bronze sandal wedges.
Not that any of this really registered with Connor. He was more focused on Sara.
She felt his intense stare and looked up, her eyes locking onto his. A smile broke out on her face along with a faint blush.
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Sara took a step forward towards Connor only to trip. Luckily Connor was quick enough to catch her and help her stay on her feet. "Ya alright?"
"Yes." Sara lifted her foot and adjusted the sandal. "It's just these stupid heels. I'm not used to them." She set her foot back down and straightened. With her heels she stood exactly eye to eye with Connor. She was rather surprised at the intensity which he was looking at her, it didn't help any that the blue shirt he was wearing brought out the color of his eyes, making them seem bluer than ever. "What?" She gave a nervous laugh.
"Nothin'." He ran his finger across her cheek and kissed her lightly on the lips. "Yer just beautiful is all."
"Thank you. You clean up pretty good yourself."
Connor grinned, offering his hand and she took it. "Ya hungry?"
"Starving. I haven't eaten anything since I had lunch with Murphy."
Inside Laurels they were quickly seated in the main dining room and given menus. Sara examined their surroundings, the restaurant was elegantly modest. High ceilings, warm lighting and soft colors filled the entire room with a comfortable atmosphere.
A waiter came over. "Good evening. Can I get you anything to drink before you order?"
"Yes, we'll have two glasses of yer best white wine."
"Very good sir." The waiter disappeared in the direction of the bar.
"Connor?"
"Aye?"
"The best? Isn't that a little much?"
Connor took Sara's hand in his and ran his thumb over her fingers. "Stop worryin'. This is supposed to be a fun relaxing evenin'. I can afford this. Tonight ya and I are just like any other couple. We're on a date and celebrating yer birthday."
"It's just that the makeover and the outfit seem like so much already."
"Well, that's from Murphy and Mary. This is from me." Connor leaned over and brushed his lips across Sara's, relishing the feeling. Sara wrapped her hand around the back of his neck and deepened the kiss.
"Excuse me… sir?" The waiter was back with their drinks and looking rather uncomfortable.
Connor sat back a smile playing at the corner of his mouth, and Sara looked down at her hands, her cheeks pink.
"Are you ready to order sir or would you like a couple more minuets to look over the menu?"
"I think we're ready.
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Sara placed the last bite of braised lamb shanks in her mouth and chewed, eyes closed and savoring every ounce of flavor. "Mm, so good." She set her fork down and dabbed her mouth with her napkin. Looking up she saw Connor looking at her with that same intense stare. "Would you please stop that?"
"Stop what?" Connor rested his arms on the table, it was clear that he knew exactly what she was talking about.
"Looking at me that way. It makes me uncomfortable."
He smirked. "I only look at ya this way because I love ya."
"I know. But stop."
"Stop lovin' ya, or stop looking at ya?"
"You know what I mean." Sara pushed back her chair and stood. Connor quickly did the same. "Sit down. I'm just going to the ladies room."
"But it's customary for a gentleman ta stand when a women leaves the table."
Sara laughed. "Be careful Connor, if you keep treating me this way I might get used to it." She set her napkin on the table and walked towards the bathroom.
She never heard him whisper, "Ya should get used to it. It's what ya deserve."
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On her return from the bathroom Sara saw that the dishes from their meal had been cleared and replaced by two cups of tea and a slice of triple chocolate cake. "What no candle?" she asked as she sat down.
Connor pulled a single small candle out of his pocket. "What do ya take me for? A cheapskate?"
"After all this, never."
Connor pushed the candle into the cake and whipped out his lighter. He pushed the cake in front of Sara. "Make a wish."
Sara closed her eyes, though for a moment and blew out the candle, receiving a smattering of applause from a couple neighboring tables when she did.
"What did ya wish for?"
"If I tell you that it might not come true." She removed the candle and sucked the bits of cake off that clung to the end. She noticed just the tiniest change in Connor's expression as she did. She had a rather cruel thought pass through her mind. Fine if he wanted to stare at her intently, she would give him something worth staring at. Keeping her brown eyes locked firmly on his blue she set the candle down on the plate and picked up the desert fork sitting next to it.
She pushed the fork into the cake and brought a delicious looking bite up, pausing just before putting it in her mouth. Connor raised his eyebrows at her. She gave him a coy smile in return and then as sensuously as possible place the bite in her mouth and rolled it around. As soon as she swallowed she lowered the fork to get a second bite. But Connor grabbed her wrist.
"Don't."
"Something wrong?" She asked him innocently.
Connor smirked. "Ya know very well what yer doing. I suggest ya stop before ya take things to far."
"Maybe I want to take things to far."
"Sara…"
"Connor." She gave him a pointed look.
Turning around Connor got their waiters attention. "Check please."
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Author's Note: I actually did research for this chapter. I'm so proud of myself, not that it was real extensive or anything. The restaurant is a real one in South End Boston. And you can even check it out it's website . And at these pages you can see the dress and shoes that Sara wore:
http/store.
http/store.
And the foreplay over dinner, I just love it. You know what to do, review! (Hey that rhymed) Because the more reviews I get the more incentive I have to write and upload another chapter as soon as possible.