Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

The following evening…

The Italian restaurant was everything Rosario had promised—cozy, intimate, and filled with the mouthwatering aroma of freshly baked bread and simmering sauces. The interior was a testament to Rosario's impeccable taste, creating the perfect ambiance for a romantic dinner. We settled into a corner booth, hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the main dining room, the flickering candlelight setting the mood.

Dinner was a delightful experience. We began with an antipasto platter featuring an assortment of cured meats, olives, and marinated vegetables. Each dish was accompanied by a wine Rosario had chosen, and they complemented the food perfectly. We shared stories, laughed at each other's jokes, and discovered common interests. The more time I spent with Rosario, the more drawn I became to him.

“So, tell me more about your pets,” Rosario said, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

I smiled, happy to talk about my furry and scaly family members. “Well, I have three dogs—Milo, Luna, and Buster. They're a handful, but I love them to the moon and back. And I also have a bearded dragon named Mushu. He's quite the character.”

Rosario raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “A bearded dragon, huh? That's cool. I've never seen one before. How did you end up with such a diverse group?”

I chuckled, thinking back to how each of them had come into my life. “Milo was a rescue I couldn't resist, Luna was a stray I found on the hospital steps, and Buster was a gift from a client. Mushu, well, I’ve always been fascinated by reptiles, and he just seemed like the perfect fit.”

Rosario leaned in a playful grin on his face. “Sounds like your house is a mini zoo. Maybe one day, Comet can join the pack for a play date.”

I laughed, the idea of all my pets and Comet together bringing a smile to my face. “That would be quite the sight. We'd need a referee, things could get wild.”

“No kidding,” he laughed.

As we finished our meal, Rosario leaned back, a satisfied smile on his face. “That was amazing. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a meal this much.”

I nodded, feeling the same. “Me neither. Thank you for tonight, Rosario. It was perfect.”

He reached across the table, taking my hand in his. “I'm glad you enjoyed it, Sanova. I do love spending time with you.”

I bit my lip. “I love spending time with you too.” However, in the back of my mind, I wondered how much time we did have since he was just passing through. However, thoughts of what I wanted to do with this man overrode all the uncertainty. I was here with him at the moment, and that was where I wanted to stay.

We left the restaurant and walked down the quiet, moonlit street, hand in hand. As we reached my car, Rosario turned to me, his eyes searching mine. “Sanova, there's something I've been wanting to do since the moment I met you,” he said softly, stepping closer.

My heart raced as he leaned in, towering over him, engulfing me in his massive embrace. His lips brushed against mine in a soft, tentative kiss at first, but then it quickly became fierce and full of longing. I closed my eyes, whimpering in between our tongues tangling together. I savored the warmth of him, the intoxicating smell of him. I wanted to be stuck In this moment with his lips on mine forever. His hands slowly traveled down to my ass, pulling me in as he deepened our kiss.

“Fuck, you're lips are so sweet,” he whispered, in between shoving his tongue deeper into my mouth, thereafter, tugging on my bottom lip with his teeth.

I let out a moan as we were enveloped in the magic of the night before he gently squeezed my hand to ask, “Another date soon?”

I giggled. “So greedy, Mr. Knight.”

“What can I say, I just can't get en–”

Just then, a loud voice interrupted our moment. “Dr. Park! There you are!”

I turned to see Mr. Mallory. His face was crimson, a telltale sign of the tumultuous emotions raging within him. “You haven’t prescribed the medication for Mr. Meow, and I will report you to the board for such negligence if you don’t get me that medication!” his voice thundered like a distant clap of thunder, shaking the very ground beneath our feet.

Rosario, unwavering in his resolve, stepped forward, his expression hardening like stone. “Mr. Mallory, this is not the appropriate time or place to discuss this. Dr. Park has dedicated her utmost efforts to assisting you and Mr. Meow.”

The atmosphere crackled with tension, the ocean's rhythm echoing the turmoil within each of us. Mr. Mallory's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowed, and veins throbbed visibly on his neck. “My cat's life is at stake, and you expect me to wait?” he retorted, his words like daggers aimed at my heart.

My steady gaze met Mr. Mallory's anger. “I understand your concern, Mr. Mallory. I genuinely care about Mr. Meow's well-being, and I assure you I'm doing everything in my power to help him. However, prescribing medication without a thorough exam could potentially harm him more,” I explained, my voice a soothing balm amidst the storm.

Rosario, ever the mediator, stepped in once more. “Let us focus on finding a solution right now. Dr. Park is committed to resolving this situation as soon as possible. Would you be willing to schedule an appointment for Mr. Meow so that she can perform a comprehensive exam and determine the best course of treatment?”

Mr. Mallory sneered. “For the last time. He doesn’t need another exam! Do you know who I am? I'm the mayor's brother, and I can make things very difficult for you both, boy!”

“First off, I'm no boy . Second, I don't care who you are. Bullying people won't get you what you want. If you have a legitimate concern, go about it properly. But harassing Dr. Park on her night off won't solve anything. So, I suggest you back the fuck off.”

Rosario's unwavering attitude appeared to catch Mr. Mallory off guard. With a huff, he abruptly turned and walked back into the shadows, leaving me to exhale a pent-up breath I hadn't noticed I was holding.

“Thank you, Rosario,” I said softly.

He looked at me with gentle eyes. “No one should treat you like that, Sanova. I'm here for you, whenever you need me.”