The early autumn evening breeze was slightly chilly.
Following the date outfit suggestions, Dakota chose a style she was comfortable with—a high-quality satin red spaghetti strap rose dress.
The halter-neck design accentuated her swan-like neck, with a magnificent flower on the side, complementing the straight-shouldered straps and deep V-neck, revealing a pure yet seductive sexiness.
She wore a coat when she stepped out.
Blocking the autumn night breeze, it also concealed the white and smooth skin on her chest.
The date arranged by Curtis wasn't particularly extravagant.
After all, this was his first formal invitation for a date with Dakota, so he chose a relatively conservative plan.
On the way, Dakota was distracted.
She kept recalling the dating tips she found on the Internet:
1.Spray appropriate perfume and find a chance to get close, leaving your scent on him.
2. Use eye contact frequently, ideally creating a lingering gaze.
3. Have appropriate physical contact, not deliberately touching the corner of his mouth or adjusting his collar, just subtle touches.
Dakota repeated these silently in her mind:
Get closer, get closer, get closer...
Eye contact, eye contact, eye contact...
Touch, touch, touch...
Seeing that she seemed to be lost in thought throughout the journey, Curtis turned to her during a red light, "Kota."
"Ah?" Dakota lifted her head, suddenly called upon.
Curtis raised an eyebrow, "What are you thinking about?"
Dakota instinctively felt guilty and wanted to avoid eye contact but then remembered the tips from the Internet.
Her heart tightened involuntarily.
She forced herself to stay calm, building up her courage as she looked at Curtis, her long lashes fluttering. "Hmm? I wasn't thinking about anything."
Curtis glanced at her seemingly casually.
But he nearly got lost in Dakota's clear and alluring eyes with just a casual glance.
Dakota continued to look at him intently.
Curtis looked away after a moment, feeling uneasy, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly.
That gaze...
Was indeed quite different from usual.
Curtis, holding the steering wheel with one hand, his left ear slightly reddened, feigned nonchalance and laughed softly, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Was it her gaze just now?
Dakota felt guilty again.
She batted her eyelashes and looked away, muttering softly, "Just looking normally..."
Curtis tilted his chin again, glancing at her from the corner of his eye.
Noticing that her cheeks were slightly flushed, he raised his lips and laughed softly, indeed feeling that she seemed different today.
Seemed...
More proactive.
Though it was a bit deliberate.
But it didn't hinder Curtis's joy, his heart felt sweet like honey.
Dakota didn't dare to make any rash moves anymore.
She just followed the tips, unsure if she was doing it right, but Curtis's smile made her scalp tingle and her spine feel weak.
Could it be that she was awkward in her attempts?
Dakota nervously gripped the hem of her dress, turning to look out the window, wishing she could hide from the awkwardness.
Fortunately, the restaurant Curtis booked wasn't far from Whispering Pines, and the awkward situation didn't last long. Dakota quickly unfastened her seatbelt and opened the door to get out.
Curtis had intended to lean over to help her with her seatbelt.
But he saw that Mrs. Pineda, who had been teasing him with her gaze, turned into a frightened little rabbit, getting out of the car as if escaping a big bad wolf.
He raised an eyebrow and chuckled lightly, composed.
Then he also unbuckled his seatbelt, stepping out in his shiny Derby shoes.
Curtis had booked a revolving restaurant.
He had indirectly sought advice from Tyrese and Jasiah, thinking that a candlelit dinner at a romantic Western restaurant for their first date shouldn't go wrong.
Dakota was still wrapped in her coat.
The early autumn evening breeze blew strands of her hair across her face, giving her an added softness and allure.
After getting out of the car, Curtis walked to her side and offered his arm, "Are you cold?"
Dakota lifted her eyes to look at Curtis.
Her beautiful eyes, glittering with fine sparkles, shone under the pinkish-purple evening sky, "No."
She shook her head.
Then she noticed Curtis's extended arm, seemingly inviting her to link hers with his.
Something inside Dakota stirred.
She looked up at Curtis openly and straightforwardly, then released her coat and lifted her hand to link with his arm.
In that moment of contact, a faint fragrance wafted into Curtis's nostrils.
Through his sleeve, he sensed Dakota's warmth and the bewitching perfume that seemed to seep into his soul.
Curtis's throat moved slightly.
He suppressed the excitement and rapid heartbeat, tilting his head to look down at Dakota. "You're being awfully forward today, aren't you?"
"Well, if you don't like it, then forget it..."
Dakota felt a bit nervous and tried to pull her hand back, but in the next second, Curtis held it tightly.
He turned his head to look at her, pulling Dakota back who was trying to retreat, "Didn't plan on giving you that chance."
Dakota's heart quivered gently.
She always fell for this combination of gentleness and strength, politeness and dominance, making it irresistible.
Dakota hummed softly, not pulling her hand away.
She somewhat reluctantly held onto Curtis's arm and led him into the restaurant.
The dark, classic-style decor, combined with dim, dreamy lighting and the soft sounds of a violin, created an atmosphere of subtle romance in the revolving restaurant.
Curtis knew Dakota's taste preferences.
He had ordered the dishes ahead of time and coordinated the timing with the restaurant, so shortly after they sat down, their freshly prepared meals began arriving one by one.
It felt like she was going to succumb... her heart was hard to control.
In the midst of this romantic and ambiguous atmosphere,
unfamiliar feelings seemed to stir under the dim, dreamy lights.
Dakota casually toyed with her salad using a delicate silver fork, glancing up now and then to discreetly study the man across from her.
Curtis had attended a formal event earlier, so he was dressed more sharply than usual.
His elegant, perfectly tailored black suit, paired with the understated luxury of his watch, made his wrist appear even more sensual, like a sculpted work of art.
Dakota found herself staring, a bit mesmerized.
Curtis, meanwhile, absentmindedly lowered his head, his long fingers gracefully holding the knife and fork, cutting his steak as if handling a piece of fine art.
Bothered by the occasional clink of his cufflinks against his watch, he paused, setting down his utensils, and casually wiped each of his fingers with a napkin before rolling up his sleeve, revealing a sleek, toned forearm.
Just as he was about to pick up the knife and fork again to cut more steak for Dakota, he glanced up and caught her staring straight at him.
Curtis froze for a split second.
He smirked as he cut through the steak, "Why are you staring at me like that again?"
Dakota hadn't realized she'd been caught.
She had only glanced at him because of how focused he was while cutting the steak. Honestly, she'd never noticed how handsome Curtis looked when he was this quiet…
Dakota pouted, stabbing a cherry tomato with her fork and popping it into her mouth. "I wasn't looking at you, I was looking at the steak."
Curtis's eyebrows raised, "Thanks."
He slowly cut the last piece of steak, then set down his knife, pushing the entire plate toward Dakota. "Clearly, it's Mrs. Pineda's steak."
Dakota blinked in surprise.
Her lashes fluttered as she looked at Curtis, surprised. "For me?"
"What else?" Curtis replied, equally surprised by her question. "Isn't it my duty to take care of you?"
Dakota pressed her lips together.
She unconsciously tightened her grip on her fork, eyeing the plate of steak in front of her, a strange warmth bubbling up inside.
She glanced at her beef tart, which she'd just tasted and found delicious, and decided to offer it to Curtis.
Curtis, noticing how much she seemed to enjoy the tart, also reached out to push it toward her.
It was as if their thoughts were in sync.
Their hands accidentally touched as they reached for the same plate, their fingertips brushing together.
A sudden shiver ran through Dakota's heart.
Curtis, too, froze for a moment.
That unexpected spark from their fingertips touching felt like a soft feather grazing her most sensitive nerves, shooting straight into her core.
Startled, Dakota quickly pulled her hand back.
She instinctively looked up, only to find herself locked in Curtis's deep, mesmerizing gaze.
In that moment, Dakota suddenly understood all those dating tips she'd read online.
The dim lighting, the intimate atmosphere, the accidental touches, and the perfectly timed eye contact—it all made her heart race.
Dakota's fingers curled slightly. "Um…"
She awkwardly pulled her hand back and quickly hid it under the table. "I just thought the beef tart tasted good and wanted you to try it."
Curtis's expression also faltered.
His throat moved slightly as he slowly withdrew his hand, caressing the tip of his right finger with his left hand, seemingly relishing the warmth left by Dakota's touch.
"Mmm," he responded softly.
Then he looked at Dakota and smiled gently, "I noticed that you liked it."
Dakota felt her heart sink once again.
She covered the hand Curtis had touched with her other hand, feeling the warmth he had left behind.
He had noticed... she liked.
Dakota couldn't deny it. She really enjoyed the feeling of being cared for and paid attention to.
It felt like she was going to succumb... her heart was hard to control.
His heart was hard to control.
Dakota gently pinched her fingers and suddenly remembered something, "Oh, oh."
"Mmm?" Curtis lifted his gaze to look at her.
Dakota reached behind her, grasping the bag she had carried all along, the one Curtis had offered to carry but she refused, "I prepared a little gift for you..."
Curtis was taken aback again, "A gift?"
Dakota nodded slightly, bringing the bag from behind her, placing it on her lap, and slowly unzipped it.
Curtis watched intently.
He noticed the tote bag Dakota had been carrying since they left.
He had offered to carry it, but she always hid it in her arms, refusing to let him take it.
He had even thought that
Dakota didn't feel secure around him and wasn't willing to let him carry her personal items.
Turns out it was because of the gift?
Curtis's eyebrow raised slightly. He suddenly became interested, filled with anticipation.
But Dakota still seemed a bit uneasy.
She reached into the bag and, under Curtis's expectant gaze, pulled out a delicate picture frame.
Handcrafted paper roses surrounded a sturdy silhouette, depicting a tall figure with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, the profile fluid and masculine.
Dakota handed the picture frame to Curtis.
Curtis took it and realized the silhouette was familiar, "This is... me?"
Dakota felt her ears burning.
She gently rubbed her ears, easing the discomfort and tension in her heart, "Yeah... Since it's our first date, someone suggested I should prepare a small gift. There wasn't time to go out and buy anything, so I made this."
Curtis smiled gently, lowering his eyes.
Dakota muttered quietly, "What are you laughing at? If you don't like it, just give it back."
She started to reach for the frame.
It was just a casual gesture, but unexpectedly, her wrist was caught by Curtis.
The heat of his touch warmed her skin as Curtis leaned forward, his grip on Dakota's slender wrist firm but gentle.
"Kota," he stared at her intently.
Dakota lifted her gaze, locking onto the determination in Curtis's eyes. He looked at her steadily, his voice low and resonant, "I like both—the gift and you."
