Free Craving HIM (Serving HIM Vol. 7) by M. S. Parker, Cassie Wild

different time and place. Light, ethereal music was playing and tiny little lights were strung from the ceiling, giving it in a surreal sort of glow. The tables were small, with delicate lamps providing the only other illumination. Conversation was muted and low, the servers moving around with a quiet discretion that made them almost invisible. In the very center of the room, a small fountain burbled while lights played below the surface of the water.
    “Wow.” A sigh escaped me as I looked around one more time. “How do you keep finding these places?”
    His only response was a smile as the maître d’ approached us.
    “Mr. Snow.” The middle-aged man gave me a warm smile as well. “Your table is ready. Right this way.”
    I expected to be led to some place quiet and tucked into the corner. Dominic usually preferred privacy, but that wasn’t the case this time.
    The restaurant, small as it was, was practically packed. More than a few people greeted Dominic as he walked by, either by way of simple nods or with low murmurs. I recognized several of them. To my surprise, Jefferson Sinclair was sitting at a table with a pretty lady. Judging by how closely they sat, I had to assume they were on a date. He gave us each a quick smile before turning his attention back to his date.
    We were led to a table at the far end of the restaurant and the maître d’ waited as Dominic and I both took our seats. He gave us a soft smile as Dominic's hand brushed against my back while he pushed in my chair.
    Once we were settled, the man asked, “May I offer you some wine?”
    Dominic looked at me and I nodded. A few moments later, the wine steward approached. While they discussed wine, I looked around, fascinated with the décor.
    I had never been to Italy, but if I had to make a stab at what this place reminded me of, it would have been an Italian grotto, tucked away in some small, privately owned vineyard. Or at least what I imagined a place like that would be like. It was beautiful, quiet and romantic and I couldn’t think of a better place to spend the evening with the man I loved.
    Well, unless I spent it under him. But that would come later.
    The wine steward brought out the wine and, after Dominic approved it, he poured a glass for each of us. I took a sip, enjoying the cool tartness as it broke over my tongue.
    A few minutes later, the server appeared to tell us about the specials and then, with a smile, he added, “The chef would like to offer you a special dinner, Mr. Snow. If you’d be willing to let him prepare something not on the menu?” He glanced at me and added, “For both you and the lady?”
    Dominic nodded after glancing at me, but as the server walked away, I leaned forward. “I’m not going to end up eating anything too adventurous, am I?”
    “What’s too adventurous?” He traced a finger along the back of my hand.
    “Um…” I swallowed and wondered how unsophisticated I’d look if I started listing all the things I had no desire to try. After deciding that I didn’t care, I blew out a breath and said, “I don’t like innards or organs of any kind. I don’t care how they're prepared. And I have no desire to try anything that crawls on the ground.”
    Dominic stared at me for a minute and then he started to laugh, one of his rare, real laughs. I loved the sound, but still stuck out my tongue.
    His chuckles faded and he leaned over, kissing me high on the cheek, close to my ear. “Don’t worry, Aleena. He’s not going to feed you es cargo or surprise us with some sort of pre-dinner appetizer that consists of bull testicles or anything like that.”
    “Good.” Pretending to be miffed, I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him. “See what I get for trying to surprise you with a birthday dinner?”
    “I knew we were going out to dinner, remember?” He toyed with my hair. “You told me you wanted to go. I made the reservations.”
    “I know.” Then I lifted my chin, knowing he was