There was a knock on our door promptly at eight. Faith and Natalie were both hanging out in the common area so they could get a glimpse of Drake before we left for dinner. Aubrey had told them about the date and threatened them with bodily harm if they flirted too much with him when he picked me up. Her warning didn’t stop either of the girls from primping before he showed though.
Aubrey waved them away and answered the door. “Hey, Drake. Not sure if you remember me. Aubrey Silver, Jackson’s sister and Alexa’s best friend.”
Drake nodded his head. “Yeah, I’ve seen you around with Jackson. Nice to see you.”
Aubrey waved Drake into the room. “These are our suite mates, Faith and Natalie.”
Drake lifted his chin in greeting at the girls on the couch, his eyes locked on me. They giggled and whispered to each other.
Drake came over to me and pulled my body towards his. “Babe, you look fantastic! I’m starved. Ready to go?” he whispered into my ear with his husky voice.
I shivered in response and just nodded my head. I felt his lips graze my ear as he pulled away to look at me.
“You okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Just really hungry,” I answered.
“Let’s get you fed. Can’t have you starving on my watch.” We waved goodbye to my roommates, and Drake took possession of my hand as we walked out of the dorm. He laced his fingers through mine and held on tight, like he thought I was going to pull away.
He led me to a Dodge Viper parked illegally at the curb in front of the dorm and opened the passenger door. Once I was settled into my seat with the door closed, he went to his side of the car and climbed into the driver’s seat. The car smelled like Drake, I inhaled deeply and closed my eyes.
Drake looked over at me as he started the engine. “You doing breathing exercises over there?”
My eyes snapped open, and I blushed. I was embarrassed to have been caught sniffing his car, but I wasn’t about to admit to it. “Nope, just trying to catch my breath.”
“I take your breath away, huh?” Drake flashed me a sexy smirk in response.
He really could be a cocky bastard. “Not what I said. It’s been a busy day, and I’m starving. I’m happy to have a moment to relax and think about food.”
Drake chuckled in response. “Sure, that’s what you were doing. Where am I taking you to satisfy that hunger of yours?”
“Do you like Italian?” I asked. “Ciao Bella is probably my favorite restaurant in town.”
Drake picked up my hand and placed a light kiss into my palm. He put my hand on his thigh and squeezed before he pulled the car away from the curb. “Sounds good to me. I like the idea of feeding you your favorite foods.”
I could feel the heat from his body through his jeans. His muscles clenched as he pressed the gas, and it took all my willpower not to squeeze his thigh. My hand still tingled where he’d kissed it, and my heart was racing. “It’s downtown, across the street from the library.”
I sat in silence, darting occasional glances his way as we drove to the restaurant. It was only a few minutes from campus and served fantastic food. I’d been going there since I was little, so it seemed like a safe place for our first date. When we pulled up in front, Drake opted to use the valet service. He hopped out of the car and waved the attendant away from my side of the car to help me out himself.
I smiled up at him, happy that he had opened the door for me. “Good manners. Your mom would be proud.”
“I’m sure she would, but it doesn’t have anything to do with the manners my mom taught me. Don’t need to give another guy an excuse to get up close and personal to you.” Drake tugged me into his side as we walked into the restaurant.
The hostess who greeted us wasn’t one I recognized from my previous visits. She was young, probably still in high school, and she stared at Drake as he asked for a table for two with some privacy. He smiled at her while making his request, and she giggled in response without looking my way even once.
“Right this way,” she sighed as she sashayed her way to our table, swaying her hips while she walked in front of us. I glanced over at Drake, expecting his eyes to be glued to her ass. I was surprised to find him staring at me instead, a twinkle in his eye. He rolled his eyes at me and shook his head as he glanced at the hostess. I felt so much better knowing that he found her actions amusing instead of attractive.
She gave Drake exactly what he’d asked for—a booth in the corner, away from the other diners. As she placed the menus on the table, Drake ushered me into the booth and squeezed in next to me. The hostess huffed a little as she finally noticed me. She gave Drake a secret little smile before walking away.