Page 78 of Bastard Bartender

I place chips on the two again, feeling like it’s our lucky number.

I blow, Nic rolls, and I’m relieved he doesn’t crap out. A waitress comes by, and Nic orders us drinks. We roll and blow three more times. The game is addictive, and I can easily see how winning like this can have you back for more.

“Lady luck is here tonight!” one man shouts.

Nic places a protective hand on my hip as he gives me the dice and blows on them, urging me to take the chance. His hands skim up and down my sides as I throw them, just narrowly missing the wall. Thankfully, it still rolls a two.

My arms are up and over his shoulders, pulling him in for a kiss. He makes his way down my neck as the dice are placed back in front of me. I roll again and crap out.

I’d be sad, but that was an exciting run. Between the stack of chips in front of us and the way Nic is showing such attention to me, I’m on cloud nine.

Our drinks come, and we enjoy them as we take our spots back on the side, letting someone else roll. Our bets are made. Money is lost, more is won, and when Nic looks at his watch, he tells me it’s time for our reservation.

The hotel is gorgeous with a real-life Parisian feel. He saunters to the elevator and takes it to the top of the makeshift Eiffel Tower that stands as part of the hotel.

At the top, a waitress escorts us to our table by the window. My heart stops as I look at the stunningly romantic spot with a corner view of The Strip and a perfect bird’s-eye view at the water show of the Bellagio.

“Nic, this is too much.”

“Perfect date for the perfect girl.” He kisses my neck and lets me take the seat with the better view.

“How did you get this reservation at the last minute? You didn’t have a date set for tonight who canceled, did you?” I say as a joke, but really, I’m curious as hell.

“I’m friends with the sous chef. He’s a hiking buddy.”

We sip on wine and eat foie gras. Nic tells me about his travels to France when he went on his backpacking trip, and I listen intently. We talk about our dream destinations and the places we’ve been. I regale him with stories of my childhood, whereas his all seem to start when he was eighteen and left home. It’s amazing to hear how much he’s lived in the last twelve years, whereas I’ve had more freedoms in my entire life and yet not taken advantage of half as many.

He dines on lamb, and I savor the gnocchi when we get on the conversation of family. We’re both only children with awesome parents, and we have strong relationships with our grandparents.

Turns out, Nic wasn’t the best student, which he blames on being homeschooled. I was an average student who cared more about boys than academics yet still managed to pull together a high GPA.

We love dogs and all sea animals. He’s ridden an elephant in Thailand, me a camel at the zoo, and together, we have a list of places we’d like to see and things we want to do. Together.

“I have a confession to make,” he says as he stares into my eyes after our plates are cleared. “I’m crazy about you too.”

My heart pounds, but I try to play down the moment because I know he’s not into the gushy love stuff. “If you’re trying to get under my skirt, you’re trying way too hard. Your smile is enough to make me forget to put on panties tonight.”

He groans. “Are you not wearing anything under that dress?”

I bite my lip and shake my head slowly.

He shifts in his seat, seemingly adjusting himself, and then leans forward, taking my hand in his. “While I want nothing more than to peel that dress off of you tonight, I do want you to know that I mean it. I’ve never met a woman I want to do this with.”

“And what is this exactly?”

“A committed relationship. One where I put your needs ahead of my own. Where I remember to call.”

I smile at that. “What happened to my bad boy? You’re supposed to be breaking my heart. Not making me fall for you even more than I already am.”

“I’m still here. Just trying to find a good balance. Bear with me, okay? This is new for me, and I want to do this right. For you.”

If there were a guide for how to make a woman fall in love with a man, this right here would be a page from it. It’s more than the dinner and drinks. It’s the way the heat of his hand warms mine as he cradles it intently, clenching it, to me, like I’m the most delicate thing in the world. It’s the way his eyes bore into mine, those deep greens as he professes the most endearing words from his soulful mouth.

I lean over and kiss him.

At the most romantic table in the most romantic restaurant in the most romantic town, I kiss the man I’m falling hard for.

“Are you ready for the next part of your date?” he asks against my lips.