Losing Control

Chapter 4

"We're going to have to stop by my place so I can change before food, Shannon." She insisted after she climbed into his vehicle.

He looked at her out of the corner of his eye and made a face before shaking his head no. "You look beautiful. We're just going somewhere simple."

"Shannon! I can't go into a public place in your clothes!" she made a face at him.

He pulled into a parking space and jumped out to circle around to her door. "Too late" he grinned and held his hand out to her. She made a face at him and refused to take his hand.

He leaned in and kissed her "You seriously look fine. Come on woman. I need food." She climbed out after taking his hand grudgingly.

They were seated at the back of the small restaurant and she immediately looked over the menu. He watched her as she looked over the options while chewing her lip.

"I think that's my job" he said softly, making her look up at him with a confused expression.

"Huh?" she asked before looking back down at the menu.

"Biting your lip. That's my job." He answered and winked at her when her eyes darted up to his and she blushed. She giggled and looked back at the menu, trying to make a choice fairly quickly after he put his on the edge of the table.

The waitress arrived and asked for their drink order. She looked up and said "I think we're ready to order actually. Just water for me. Can I get the salad without cheese or eggs on it?"

The waitress nodded and also noted to put the dressing on the side. She picked up the menus after getting Shannon's order and left.

He looked across the table at her and said "Very specific with your order. Do you feel that strongly about everything you order?"

"Depends on what it is. I made decisions about my diet a long time ago and do my best to stick with them. How on earth did you get me to come in here in your clothes?" she said as she looked down to brush some invisible speck from the leggings she was wearing.

"Nobody is paying any attention to the clothes on your body. Are you getting weird on me again?" he chuckled and smiled at the waitress after she approached and put their drinks on the table.

"You make me nervous" she admitted after thanking the woman warmly.

"Why do I make you nervous?" he asked after taking a sip from his water glass.

"If I knew the answer to that question, I would know how to stop it." She answered and then picked up her glass.

He sat back and watched her while she sipped her water, letting her eyes wander around the restaurant. When she finally looked at him again he asked "So, why weren't you nervous when I first met you in the café?" He knew that she was not being completely honest.

"That was before..." she answered and looked down.

"Before...oh come on. You were fine at my house once we got past the initial attack of nerves this morning. Sorry, gorgeous, I'm not buying what you're tryin' to sell me. Let's start again. Are you getting weird on me again?" he grinned and stared at her while he waited for her answer.

She looked around the restaurant again and then her gaze dropped to the table "I'm not trying to be weird. What if someone recognizes you?"

"That's going to happen sooner or later. I'll take a pic with them if they want. Talk to them for a second and we'll be on our way. Is that really what's bothering you?" he paused when the food arrived. He waited until the plates had been put on the table and smiled a thanks at the woman delivering them.