"Hi." I kept my face straight, snapping into character and pretending I didn't just squeal and dance around my room like a little girl. I love going on dates, especially with hot people. And although I love a night out at the club, nothing beats a formal dinner and informal night.

"Hey. You look lovely."

I watched his eyes travel across my body, and I slowed my steps and swayed my hips to give him a taste of what he could possibly have.

"Thank you, you too."

"Nice to meet you, Camila."

"You too."

I smiled at my sister, trying to contain my squeals.

"Ten p.m. curfew miss, no drinking."

"Yes, Mom." I groaned sarcastically, "see you later, Cam."

"Have fun."

I blew her a kiss, stepping outside and allowing his hand to fall on my lower back. God it's big. I eased into it, letting him lead me to his car.

I've got a mental list of bare-minimum things they must do if they want to take me home for the night.

Number one: open the car door for me, bonus point if they help me climb in.

I'm not stupid, I could easily do it myself, but where's the fun in that?

I watched as he stepped forwards, hooking his first fingers under the handle and tugging the door of the glossy navy-blue Jaguar XF open. It's a nice car, pristine and not averagely cheap, which makes me wonder - he is only a bartender after all.

"Thank you." I smiled as I placed my hand on his held-out palm. I placed my purse on my lap, and relaxed into the seat as he closed the door behind me.

"Seat belt on?" He asked as he put on his.

"Why, are you a reckless driver?"

"Not when I'm carrying precious cargo." He smiled. That was smooth. I reached over, strapping it across my chest as he twisted his keys.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll have to wait and see."

I carefully snook peeks at him as he drove. His hand gripped the wheel easily, a couple veins stretched from his knuckles to his watch that peaked from under his sleeve.

He stole a few peeks too, his eyes flicking down to my thighs and a couple times my face, which I pretended to ignore.

"I like your car." I broke the silence.

"Thank you." He grinned, sharpening his jawline even more. "It matches your dress."

"Well spotted."

"It's beautiful by the way. Not just the dress, you in it I mean." He quickly corrected himself, making me chuckle.

'Thank you."

"We're almost there." He took a tight turn left, down a dark alleyway lit by a few street lamps. I've never been down here before, and I honestly didn't know it existed.

"You're not going to kill me, are you?" I joked.

"You'll have to wait and see."

He stayed mysteriously quiet, so I did too, while we made our way down the street. We eventually made it to a small town square, lit by street lamps and shop fronts. "Wow."

A statue of an angel was stood in the centre, surrounded by flowers and perfectly cut hedges. "See, perfect spot for a murder." He smiled as I looked out the window in awe, "can't kill you yet though, I still owe you a drink."

He hoped out, opening my door yet again. My hand met his as I stepped out into the warm breeze. I held his arm as he walked me to the small restaurant on the corner. Subtle chatter and music grew louder as we stepped inside.

"Hi, do you have a reservation?"

"Russell."

The middle-aged waitresses scanned her notebook before leading us to the back of the restaurant.

Spencer pulled out my chair before his own, sitting down in sync. "I didn't even know this place existed, it's so pretty."

"I thought you'd like it."

He passed rule number two without me even looking for it. This is going well.

"What do you drink?"

"I don't really have a specific drink I don't think." I scanned down through the drinks options on the black and gold menu. "You?"

"With dinner, wine. But I like whiskey."

"Mhm, that's too strong for me, I normally stick to white wine."

"White wine it is then. What do you fancy for dinner?"

You.

"What are you having?"

"Maybe steak?"

"Yeah, sounds good."

"How do you like yours?"

"Medium-rare."

"Me too."

My smile was soft but apparent, contrasting to the half grin on his face that revealed a dimple in his cheek.

I kept my posture straight but made sure he still towered taller, giving him access to glance at my cleavage. There's not much to see, I'll admit, I sometimes envy my little sister for getting the better genes, but I make it work.

"Are you ready to order?"

"Two steaks, medium-rare, and a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, please."

The waitress disappeared, leaving us and that awkward small talk people do on first dates.

"So, Russell, tell me about you."

"What would you like to know?"

"The basics." I shrugged, leaning back to look at him. "Age, family..."

"Okay. I'm twenty-nine... I have an older sister, Sofia and a little half-brother Manny."

"Are you close?"

"Not really with Sofia but Manny's one of my best friends."

"How old is he?"

"Eighteen. He still lives with my mom but spends most of his time at my flat. Your turn."

"I'm twenty-five and you've met my sister, Cami. She's all I've got."

"I'm sorry." He exhaled sincerely.

"Don't worry about it. Do you live close?"

"Around the corner of the hotel, I've lived here all my life. What about you?"

"We moved here about five years ago, after we lost our Mom, we just needed to get away from that town and that house so we came here."

"Do you miss it?"

"Sometimes, but I was finished high-school and Camila was starting it so it was okay timing. She settled in well, made friends with the boy next door. That's where she is tonight actually."

"And you? That's a lot of responsibility."

"It was, but we make it work. She's more like a roommate than a child. We've got some supportive aunties and uncles too so it all works out fine."

"I'm glad to hear it."

The waitress brought over our wine as we smiled at each other. He made sure to thank her after she poured both glasses, as did I.

Rule number three: be polite with everyone, not just me.

Being a waitress myself I know how bitchy some people can be, so I vow to never date a bitch. It's not that hard to have manners.

"To our first date." He held up his glass.

"To us."

Our glasses clinked before we brought them to our lips. I keep eye contact, the corners of my lips slightly turned up as I took a sip.

*

"No you didn't!" I giggled.

"I did!" He chuckled, attempting to drink another sip of wine but failing miserably to control his laughter.

We've had a few glasses now but I'm not drunk yet. We've progressed from the small talk to personal talk to our best memories and embarrassing stories. He has this contagious laugh and smirk that flashes his pearly white teeth.

We finished our wine and stories before deciding to call it a night.

Rule number four: offer to pay the bill.

I'm down for splitting, it's the right thing to do, but you always need that mini argument and then eventually give into the misogyny because it works in your favour.

"No, we can split-"

"You really think I'd let you split?"

"At least let me pay for my dinner."

He responded with a chuckle, handing his card to the waitress.

"Thank you." I smiled.

He stood up first, holding out a hand to help me to my feet. "You got everything?"

"Yeah."

I walked out of the restaurant holding on to his arm. "That was perfect, thank you."

"Good, I'm glad." He led us back to his car, helping me inside.

We kept the talking to a minimum on the way back. I visibly checked him out this time, letting him know I was staring. Every few moments he'd turn to me, giving me those bright blue eyes lit by street lights we drove passed before grinning and turning his focus back to the road.

He pulled up across from my house, turning off the engine and parking the car. I took off me seat belt so I could turn to him completely. "Thanks again for tonight."

"Thank you for coming." He turned too. His eyes flicked from each of mine, before down to my lips and back up. "Can I kiss you?"

I giggled at his question, leaning across the car while his hand darted for my jaw. He pulled me closer, softly pressing his lips to mine. They found their way around each other as he sucked on my bottom lip. My hand glided across to his thigh, which I used to push me closer.

He moaned softly as our lips parted, but he quickly returned them, slipping his tongue in between my red lips. I pulled away to watch what I was doing as I climbed across the car, onto his lap.

My parted legs made my dress rise as I straddled him, joining our lips again. His heavy hands rested on my waist as I ran my fingers though his hair and hooked around his neck. I rubbed softly against his crotch making him pull away from the kiss to catch his breath.

He moved to my neck, sucking on the tender skin as I felt him growing under me. "Mhm."

"Zoe..." one of his hands moved under my dress, making its way up my torso to cup my breast.

"Wanna come in?"

"As long as I can come in you." His raspy voice exhaled in my ear, sending electricity down my body.

I bit my lip, nodding as I picked my bag off the passenger seat. I'm not one to do it on the first date but I'm too wet to say no, and Camila's out at Theo's - I'm not spending tonight alone, he's perfect company.