Plates and cutlery clinked together as chatter and laughter sounded around them. Danai and Everitt picked up their glasses of water in tandem, lifting them to their mouths in near-challenge as they watched each other. She took a sip first, then a few more, before setting her glass back on the table, not breaking eye contact once. He was acting stupid, more like the Everitt she'd first met, and she could not understand why.

She watched his throat bob as he downed the contents of his glass before he set it down with a low thud. His green eyes bore into her, and she felt her breath catch in her throat. Part of her wanted to look away, but that felt equivalent to running in a situation like this. So she doubled down instead, matching his intense look with her own. They sat there, with the most beautiful view of the city on one side of them and the bustling restaurant on the other, glaring at each other.

Leo soon returned with two wine glasses and a bucket filled with ice and two bottles of wine stuffed into it. He presented the first wine, the cabernet, to Everitt, before popping it open and pouring him a taste. Everitt nodded towards Danai, "She'll try some, too."

The server nodded before pouring a small amount into her glass. She picked up the glass, swirled it around, then took a small sip. It was drier than she expected, something that she'd usually avoid, but the fruity taste made it enjoyable. Everitt took a sip as well, then raised his eyebrows at Danai like a question.

"I like it," was all she offered in response.

Everitt didn't say anything about it, instead asking for the next wine. After taking a sip of the chardonnay, Danai's eyes widened and she looked at her glass. The chardonnay was the perfect mix of dry and sweet, and she could actually taste some notes of pear and peach in this one. As she took another sip to be sure, she felt Everitt's leg graze her own. Danai nearly choked on her wine.

Leo, looking alarmed, asked, "Are you okay?"

Danai glared at Everitt, who was smirking back at her. "I'm fine, just thought I felt something slimy on me."

Everitt ignored her comment, "we'll take the chardonnay. Thank you."

Confusion flashed across Leo's face before he nodded, taking the bottle of cabernet with him as he walked away. Once he was out of earshot, Danai shot daggers at the alpha across from her. She was happy to pretend that whatever had crawled up his ass could be his problem alone, but it was starting to interfere with her dinner and their so-called date. This was just like him, and she should've known the earlier bliss and romance would be short-lived.

"What is your problem?" Danai pressed Everitt for an answer.

His smirk fell slightly, and she saw something in his playful expression, but it was gone as soon as it appeared. Everitt opened the bottle of wine, pouring some into both of their glasses. He lifted the drink to his mouth, "I don't have a problem."

She couldn't help the frustration she felt in response to his nonchalant attitude. There was no way he didn't know how annoying he was being, he probably just didn't care. Suddenly, the time she'd spent getting ready and all the excitement she'd had about this night seemed like a waste.

Danai sighed, standing up, "I have to use the washroom." She didn't wait for Everitt to respond before she walked towards the back of the restaurant, assuming that's where the washroom was because she'd seen people go that way. When she reached the end of an empty hall, Danai spun around. She searched for doors, but all she found were a few places to sit and a water fountain that didn't seem like it belonged, yet had been surrounded by geometric patterns that matched the rest of the decor.

The washroom had just been an excuse to get away, so this random spot she'd discovered seemed just as well. She sat on the leather bench, staring into the wall as she thought of what to do next. Leaving immediately wasn't an option since she'd left her things at the table, but she didn't know what there was to look forward to. Everitt was in a sour mood and wouldn't explain why, and his mood was affecting hers. Danai felt like an idiot for entertaining thoughts about his interest in her, and was now more confused than ever. If he was going to act like that, why even invite her out in the first place?

Danai groaned when she finally stood again, regretting her decision to wear heels as she readied herself to go back when she collided with a hard wall that turned out to be a chest. She opened her mouth to apologise, lifting her head to look at whoever she'd walked into when dark, green eyes looked back at her. Nai stepped back instinctually, realising it was Everitt who was in her secret alcove. He reached out and around her, running one hand down the exposed skin of her back while the other cupped the nape of her neck.

Danai put her hands on his chest, then tried to push him away. "What-? Why are you-"

The effort was futile as Everitt kept her there with ease, trapped in his strong embrace. Several scents filled her nose, and she could smell hints of anger, some kind of frustration, and... Arousal? When he pulled her body into his, her mind was no longer unsure of that. His firm heat pressed into her made his arousal crystal clear, but it didn't make the other things any more so.

She felt herself getting swept up in desire, and made an effort to push that aside as his green eyes stared into hers. "I asked you what your problem was, and you said you didn't have one."

He bent down, brushing her lips with his, and the sensation made Danai's body tingle almost painfully. Every inch of her was aware of him, wanting him desperately. She closed her eyes, willing herself to stay sane and focused. There was no Heat to cloud her mind, yet she still felt like it was losing to the desire that was bubbling up in her body. The man was so frustrating, so unreasonable, so...

Danai let out a whine, despite herself, and heard Everitt groan before he swept her up in a passionate kiss. He claimed her mouth possessively, as though anyone that may bear witness would know immediately that she was his. She could feel his need against her, and in the way his tongue commanded hers as they danced and fought. He freed her mouth, moving to place a trail of hot, wet kisses along the column of the neck as he reached up under her dress to cup her ass. She gasped when she felt his hand there, moving her hands to his back and gathering his shirt in her fists.

After another moan escaped her mouth, Everitt brought his lips to her ear, "Someone might hear you, Nai."

The warning sent shivers down her spine, reminding her that they weren't in a private and safe place, but still at the restaurant with their things waiting for them at the table. Suddenly, the distant sounds of conversation and faint music came back to Nai, and she tried to pull away from Everitt. They could be discovered at any moment, grabbing and rubbing against each other.

She pulled back just enough to look at him, her earlier line of thought returning, "you can't just treat me like crap then kiss me and think that makes it better."

That got his attention. Everitt furrowed his brows, searching her eyes as he questioned, "When did I treat you like crap?"

Danai huffed, "When you acted like an ass at the table. What was that?"

He blinked several times, "Huh?"

"With the server," she clarified.

Danai could see the moment realisation dawned on him. Everitt sighed, and he raked a hand through his hair. "The server that was shamelessly flirting with you at our table?"

Danai squinted at him, confused. "What are you talking about?"

"You seemed to be enjoying it, too," he added under his breath as he looked away from Danai. He still kept her close, though, with one strong arm around her back.

It felt so obvious now that it was staring her in the face that Danai couldn't believe she hadn't thought of it earlier. Everitt's jealousy was the best explanation for his odd behaviour, and despite the irrationality of it in her eyes, it almost made her laugh. The man had been spreading his feathers in front of another guy, like a peacock showing another contender that he was no match for him. It was amazing to her, because Danai was there with Everitt and the server was just that--a server. What did he have to be worried about?

Everitt looked down at her, watching the thoughts run through her head with a curious look on his face. He touched her chin as she smiled up at him, though she'd been frowning not long before.

"What?" His question cut through her mind, and he seemed exasperated and amused at the same time.

Just as Nai was about to reply, an alarm beeped right by her ear jolting her in surprise. Everitt apologised, pulling his hand away and looking at the watch on that wrist. "I told the server to wait ten minutes before bringing our food out when I left to find you," he said, looking at her. "Time's up."

He fixed her dress and waited for Danai to check her hair before she walked out ahead of him and back to their table. Everitt kept one hand on the small of her back, a clear sign to anyone who looked their way that they were together. The whole way there she wondered if the other people in the place would be able to tell what they'd been up to while they were gone, but remembering that it all stemmed from Everitt's jealousy had her biting back a smile the whole way over.

*********