Surround me - the first novel

Chapter 28 - i could draw you

Taylor's POV

The way in which his hand encompasses mine, is just a small detail that makes me fall harder. I'm not doing well at staying casual, if anything I feel like I'm uncontrollably falling further and further under his spell.

We enter the restaurant and straight away I feel at home. There's an open fire with various pictures hanging above it. Real wooden beams come down from the ceiling. There's a smell of fantastic homemade food and lots of chatting from the patrons. It's relaxed yet special.

"Henderson" he says to the waiter. Of course he made a reservation, he planned ahead. I appreciate that. The waiter smiles, an older man with light hair, shows us to a table near the window looking out at the rose garden, there are two double doors which open out into the garden. It's fairly private.

I realise this place is much larger than it first appears. It's not just one large white washed room like you get in most modern restaurants. The outdoor space just goes on and on.

The waiter asks what we'll be drinking, I opt for a glass of rosé to start with and Matty goes for Diet Coke, because he's driving. The waiter leaves some menus and goes to get our drinks.

I can't help myself but feel grown up being able to ask for wine at a Restaurant. I take in all of the surroundings the pictures on the walls, one is a photograph of the royal ballet, another is a hand painted autumn landscape. There's lots going on and I'm drawn in by it all. It doesn't look over decorated too me at all, I want to explore it all.

The music isn't so loud that you can't hear yourself think or so that you can't talk without straining your voice. I finally rest my eyes on Matty who is a piece of art in himself. He's smiling at me, and I feel instantly embarrassed having his undivided attention.
He pushes his hair back, his leather jacket hanging off of his chair. We haven't even ordered or eaten any food and I know already that I have decided how I feel about him. I'm in deep here, and not just because he is gorgeous or irresistible.

And there it is that disarming smile again.
"What's caught your eye?" He asks me. Clearly he witnessed my staring.

"The royal ballet picture, it's an older one. And the autumn painting" I say a little shy.

"Oh and then you" I laugh and blush a little.

He smiles and his eyes glow watching me. I like it when he is happy.
"When did you start dancing" he asks interested.

"I started young of course. My mum always wanted me to dance. She always said it was a nice girly thing to do. She used to take me to Saturday classes and dress me up for shows" I recall. He chuckles. He's a good listener.

"So I studied ballet, but I like contemporary" I add and he nods.

"I know what ballet is I'm not completely common, but contemporary? What's that" he asks me.

"Contemporary is kind of hard to define, it can have elements of all genres of dance I like to add my ballet technique into it" I say to him.

"I'm boring you sorry" I smile at him. He reaches his hand across the table to grasp mine smiling.
"You are not boring. And don't apologise to me" he says genuinely.

"It makes a change to talk to someone who has a real interest in something" he adds.

The waiter brings our drinks and then discreetly leaves us to it.
"So what's your thing Matty, what do you like to do?" I say sipping my wine, college girl here.

"Oh no I am the boring one" he says clearly deflecting the conversation away from himself.
I am not having that, I want to know him more.

"Please choose some food, and then I'll tell you about me." He says softly and his tone of voice is different. It strikes me that maybe he hasn't had anybody ask him about himself before. He passes me a menu.

I look into his eyes before glancing down at the menu. His eyes are captivating. Surely it's illegal to look so wonderful and also to have such striking features.

Matty looks at me, a big smirk on his face. His menu is down and he appears to have chosen his starter and main already.

"What?" I smile.

"You've been here before you have a head start." I add.

"Take your time, I'm not rushing you babe" he says cheekily winking at me.

I decide to go for pasta arrabatia. I didn't want to contend with a burger in front of him. Matty orders a mixed grill for his main and orders some bread for the table and a jug of water.

"I'm into drawing, I'm not great at it I won't lie to you. But I like doing it, it keeps my hands busy" he says sticking to our deal and telling me about himself.

"That's great, I always really wanted to be good at art, but I'm just so bad at it" I say back.

"I could draw you" he says and he eyes me, like a piece of art itself. His hand sweeps my hair away from my face from across the table.

"The natural wave of your hair" he whispers.

"And the curve of your lips when they smile" he says as he brushes my lips with his thumb. I gaze up at him as he moves his hand away. I find myself wanting his hands everywhere.

"I've never drawn anybody" he admits softly.

"But I could draw you, Taylor. You're beautiful" he smiles.

Our food arrives as I am about to faint from his charm. Craving his hands, and his lips.

"This is really good" I comment and he eyes my food, smiling.

"I know you like to cook, is it as good as your own?" He smiles.

"Oh I'll show you my own food" I say majorly feeling like I've overstepped the mark. I look up at him and he smirks, happy with that development.

"I can't wait" he says and I smile blushing.

After we finish our mains we decide to share some ice cream. He gets me another glass of wine. I realise he doesn't really like sweet food as he barely touches the ice cream but he ordered it for my benefit. I finish my wine feeling decidedly tipsy. He pays explaining that this is a date and that he would love to treat me more.

After freshening up and touching up my lipstick which luckily didn't end up all over my face. We walk out into the cool air which smells like roses and various wild flowers. He pulls me towards the vines and flowers and we walk along together, the sun is beginning to go down and within an hour and a half it will be dark.