Vengeance Is Beautiful

Chapter Twenty-Three

I felt painfully out of place, like a pepperoni that had mistakenly made its way onto a vegetarian pizza.

Lino sat across from me, gleefully browsing through the menu with only his focused green eyes showing. We haven't said much to each other since he got here. He did the usual, hold my thigh, engage in a little small talk but after it was just silence.

The waiter came and gave us our order. I order a simple salad and some wine and I catch Lino's surprised gaze.

"What?" I smile nervously. He snorts softly and turns to the waiter. "She'll have the Teriyaki and cheese salad with a little vinegar on the top and as for me, I'll have the steak and peas, with wine as well", Lino explains.

I feel a blush forcing its way onto my face and I trap my bottom lip between my teeth and shake my head slowly. He turns to me and his eyes flash was seduction as he looks at my lips.

"You know damn well you didn't want a plain salad, chula". I can't help the small laugh that erupts from my mouth and he joins me smiling boyishly.

My heart melts into a million pieces as I watch him smile. It's been so long since I've seen him smile genuinely. When our food arrives, we're eating and laughing when I spot one of the pea's skin between his teeth. "Babe you got steak between your teeth". He goes for a tooth pick but he stops and smiles devishly when we spot the waiter coming back over.

"No, don't you dare!' I hiss at him, hiding my laugh. He straightens his jacket then grins widely at the poor waiter who looks at him painfully. "Uh, did you enjoy your meal sir?"

"My meal was great! I would like to take a photo with you, is that okay?"

The waiter's eyes bulge open and he smiles nerously, "N-no sir, that wouldn't be necesarry. I'm certainly glad you enjoyed the meal, is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Yes-"
"We'll have the check now, thanks", I smile up at the waiter who returns a smile with a look that lingers a little too long on my face.

Suddenly, the sound of silverware drops on the plate and Lino glares up at the man. "Don't be looking at my woman. She said get the check, don't let this piece of steak in my teeth lead you to believe I won't check you first", he says with a low growl. The waiter gulps then nods before scurrying back to the kitchen. When Lino turns back to me, he's met with my mixed up facial expression.

One showing how turned on I was, and the other how annoyed I was that he made a scene and now the other guests were side-eyeing us. His smile subsides and he stretches his hand across the table, "I'm sorry baby", he groans pinching the bridge of his nose. I slide my hands across the table and up his arm, "Take me out of here".

"Okay", he smiles. I blush, all the nervousness long gone.

I let my hands fly freely in the wind as I sit on the window by the seat. My eyes closed, letting all my worries fly with the wind and the only thing I'm holding onto is the handle to stay up-right. "WOOO!!!" I yell.

I hear Lino's laugh he hops out and scoops me over his shoulder. I yelp in laughter and playfully hit his back. "I have on heels! Come on! I don't want sand in my shoes!" He slaps my butt and I go limp on his shoulders, slightly annoyed as my stomach begins to cramp against his shoulders.

He sets me down and then watches as I straighten my clothes. He smiles softly when I glare at him and then he steps forward and grabs my hand. "Strip".
My heart skips a beat and I start getting nervous again, am I ready for all of this? Why am I so shy to have sex again?

"Let's go swimming babayyyy!" he enthuses taking off his clothes, left in his boxers. Relief washes over me and I begin laughing at him, smiling like a little boy. "Come on!" I roll my eyes and start taking off my dress and shoes and throw them in the car with his clothes. I untie my hair and he playfully fluffs them before pecking my cheek. He grabs my hand and turns his body, bending a little.