#Palm Reading In Scottsdale

[ohbo-ohno]

run until you feel your lungs bleeding (ghost x reader)

summary: You're on the run after finally escaping from your abusive husband's clutches, hitchhiking south along California highways. A strange man in a black mask picks you up, and it doesn't take you long to realize that not every hand offered should be taken.

word count: 6.5k

cw: dark fic!, noncon somnophilia, referenced abuse from a past partner, ghost does not care about reader's feelings, mentioned drinking while driving but no intoxication

read on ao3 - see the pinterest board

One of your blisters is about to burst. You’d worn through your only pair of clean socks yesterday, leaving the back of your heel vulnerable to your old tennis shoes and their vendetta against your feet. You can feel your skin rubbing thinner and thinner with each step, know it’s only a matter of time before you’ve got blood flowing freely into your shoe. 

You keep your left arm stretched out, thumb held up in the hope that someone will take pity on your limping form and give you a ride.

It’s not likely, you’ve been hitchhiking for days now and not a single person has slowed down. You’ve got no real destination, just a goal of putting as much space between you and your piece of shit ex-husband as possible. Your end goal is Arizona - you’ve got an aunt somewhere in Scottsdale, if you can get to her you can only hope she’ll help you get back on your feet.

A few people honk as they drive by. In the two days you’ve been walking, none have stopped. You take short power naps at night off the side of the road, pray to every god you can think of that you don’t get run over or eaten by something.

You haven’t yet. But you know if you don’t get a good night's sleep soon, don’t start putting actual distance between him and you, then you might not survive your escape.

The sun is at its apex when the semi-truck pulls up beside you. It’s black, the trailer attached is plain white with no logo painted on. You can hardly believe your luck, gape up at the massive thing as it slows. The door pops open a moment after the truck rolls to a stop, but it’s so high up that you can’t see who’s driving past their hand - gloved - before they pull it back.

You don’t have the luxury of asking questions. You just stumble over, flinching back with a little hiss when you place your palm on the metal of the truck and burn your hand. It takes a minute to finagle your way into the truck, but you manage it eventually, huffing and puffing all the way up. 

The first thing you notice about the man in the driver’s seat is his size - he’s big. Bigger than any man you’ve seen before. You just reach his shoulders even with both of you sitting down, his legs are spread so wide his knees nearly rest on his door and the gearshift, his head is close to brushing the roof. He’s just… big.

He’s wearing a black neck gaiter pulled up to cover his mouth and nose, which strikes you as odd considering he’s driving on his own, but you brush the thought off. His hair is blond, greasy and limp on his scalp, you doubt he did more than run his fingers through it getting out of bed. His eyes are blue, a light shade that surprises you for some reason. You don’t know a thing about this man, certainly not enough to be surprised by anything about him, but the blond hair and the blue eyes… it doesn’t quite fit with the black gloves and the mask.

He’s reclined back in his seat, one hand resting on the wheel and the other on his thigh, eyes scanning you like a king his subject. His eyes linger on your tiny shorts (sleep shorts, what you’d been wearing the night of your escape), skip right past the sluggishly bleeding scrapes on your knees and scan your ratty backpack.

You hope he won’t ask you to empty it. You’d like to keep your gun for as long as possible, can’t imagine this trucker would be ok with the hitchhiker he just picked up having a loaded weapon.

He doesn’t speak when he finally makes eye contact with you. You can’t hold it for long at all, only manage a few seconds before you’re glancing around his truck.

He doesn’t speak. Neither do you.

His car reeks of smoke. There’s a beer bottle in his cup holder, open and helf empty. There are more bottles - empty - by your feet. He doesn’t have the radio playing.

When you look back at him, his eyes are already trained on yours. You can’t help but flinch - the intensity of his gaze feels suffocating, even after only a few seconds of being held under it.

You work up the nerve to speak, take a few deep breaths and a few more long looks around the truck, the space this man spends most of his days in.

There are cigarette stubs on the dashboard, which has clearly been used as a makeshift ashtray. The seats are old, the leather peeling and tempting you to pick, and the dash itself is sunbleached.

“I’m trying to go to Arizona,” you finally say, flickering your eyes quickly to his and away again. His jeans are worn - but naturally worn, like he’s had them for months and washed them so many times they’ve lost their color. “Are… are you heading that direction?”

You look at him long enough to see him incline his head a bit. You don’t think he’s blinked since you got in the car.

“Goin’ south,” he affirms. His voice is a low grumble, British accented. Not necessarily unsurprising to hear in California, but a shock from a truck driver. “I’ll drop you somewhere along the way.”

He pulls away from the shoulder with that and turns away from you, apparently finished with the interaction. 

Being dropped somewhere along the way isn’t necessarily your ideal situation, but your feet scream in relief at the lack of pressure, so you’re certainly not going to complain.

You shift a little further back in your seat, tuck the backpack between you and the passenger door. He could reach it if he wanted, but keeping yourself between this stranger and your prized possessions feels like the right choice. You think about propping your feet up on the dashboard, but decide you don’t want to seem too rude to your apparent savior.

You look out the window. You’ve never been in a car this high, and even the flat California highways look more interesting at a new vantage point. It’s easier to focus on the far-off mountains than the giant beside you.

“So,” you cough lightly, awkward in the relative silence of the truck. The engine is loud, but the driver’s radio is dead silent. “What’s your name?”

He grunts, gives no other response. You glance over to him, a little unsure of yourself. Had you made that bad of a first impression somehow?

He doesn’t turn to you, and he doesn’t answer your question.

Alright, you tell yourself. Maybe he does this all the time, maybe he’s tired of making small talk with homeless and desperate hitchhikers. That’s probably it.

You don’t give him your name. Instead, you tuck your feet up to the seat beneath your thighs, turn your body fully to the passenger window, fold your arms on the windowsill and lay your chin on your elbows.

The drive is smooth enough for you to relax, even though you know that logically you shouldn’t. You’re a young woman who’s just gotten into a car with a strange and intimidating man who could very clearly physically overpower you. Nobody knows where you are. You should have a hand on your gun already, ready for anything the driver might try.

But you’ve been walking for days, and hadn't been sleeping well before that either. You haven’t had a good night’s sleep since your wedding night. The low rumble of the engine, the heat of the sun beaming through the glass, the surprisingly gentle motions of the truck…

You don’t quite let yourself fall asleep, but it’s a near thing.

———————————————————————

The two of you stay like that for hours. Your benevolent driver seemingly comfortable in his silence with you drowsy and relaxing in his passenger seat. You don’t stay in the same position for more than an hour or two at once, shifting your legs and always keeping any pressure off your feet.

You’d like to pull your shoes off, to ask if the man has any band-aids. Maybe any food, any water. But you can’t risk pissing him off, not when your other options are nonexistent. So you settle for slow movements, trying to keep your blisters from being irritated.

He finishes his beer before the first hour has passed with you in his vehicle. Waits another two to have a second. You don’t comment on it, but the scent makes your lip curl, and you bury your face in your arms to hide the reaction. You hope he’s not a lightweight. And despite the heavy stench of cigarette smoke sunken into the interior, he hasn’t had one yet. 

He’s the one who speaks next.

It’s a quarter until 6, and the sun has started her slow journey to sleep. You’ve been watching the sight for a while, entranced by the slow process with nothing else to amuse you.

“Pullin’ off,” he grunts.

You can’t help but jerk up straight at the sound, caught off guard. You’d nearly forgotten about his accent, about how deep his voice really is.

“For gas?” You ask, turning in your seat to glance at him for the first time in at least an hour. He only grunts again, a noise you’re just going to assume means yes. 

“Alright,” you nod, letting your feet drop to the floor from where you’d crossed them beneath yourself. “Are you… do you want me to find someone else to ride with?” You cross your fingers where you tuck them beneath your thighs, pray to every god you know of that he doesn’t make that yes grunt again.

He looks over to you this time, and the two of you make eye contact for the first time since you’d gotten into the car nearly six hours ago. His eyes are brighter than you remember, and the impact of them sends a jolt up your spine.

You’re not sure how long he looks at you. You feel stuck under his gaze, a little wide-eyed prey animal spotted by a predator who can only lay still and hope they move on. You’ve never felt quite so pinned before, quite so unable to break eye contact. You don’t think you like it.

He looks away first, shifts in his seat and drops one hand from the steering wheel to lay on his thigh. You swallow at how tight his jeans are, how his thighs seem to nearly bulge from them. 

“No,” he finally answers. It takes a moment for you to remember your own question, but your sigh of relief is loud once you do.

If you’re lucky, he’ll try and drive through the night. Dangerous, since it’ll make for nearly twenty-four hours on the road, but you’d rather take your chances with him than falling asleep at the wheel then spend another night staring into a dark forest and wondering if there are wolves in this part of the country.

He turns off the highway three exits later, pulls his truck into the first reststop. It’s the only structure in the nearby area, a McDonald’s-Subway-Shell mix with ten pumps, less than half with someone using them. It’s the kind of rest stop you’ve seen on countless roadtrips, one that you know exists off half the exits in the States. The familiarity of it makes your lips twitch up in the corners.

There are several other semi-trucks pulled up getting gas, none quite the size of your driver’s. He parks quickly and easily, in one try, and turns the truck completely off. You shift a little in your seat, unsure what he’ll want from you, but he’s hauled himself up and out of the truck before you can open your mouth to ask.

You settle a bit. He’d said he wouldn’t make you leave but you still can’t fully relax for some reason, can’t bring back the looseness to your shoulders you’ve had since he picked you up. You entertain yourself by watching a middle aged couple try and wrangle six kids that look like they’re all under ten, since I’m sympathy when the littlest one’s face goes red and he starts to wail.

The door next to you opens without warning. You manage to catch your bag before it can go tumbling out of the car, can’t hold back the little yelp of surprise. Your eyes are wide, fingers holding tight to the bag, when you look up through your hair.

The driver’s face looks the same as it has for the last six hours - expressionless. Even with the mask, surely his eyebrows should move at least a bit? He looks almost like a corpse above you - pale face and flat features. It unnerves you. 

“Gettin’ food. You got money?”

You hesitate for a moment - you do have money, small bills you’d snuck from your husband’s wallet that you’d planned to use for a bus ticket. You’re not starving yet, the few granola bars you’d taken in your escape will tide you over for a little while longer.

You shake your head.

He nods, like he’d expected that, and glances over your form from head to toe again. “Alright. You want somethin’ to eat, now’s your chance. We’ll be back on the road for another few hours before I stop for the night.”

With that he turns away, jumps down to the parking lot and stalks off toward the McDonald’s. It takes you a minute to follow him, still a little shocked that you’d gotten multiple sentences from him at once.

The thought of free food is far too tempting to let you linger for too long, though, and you’re throwing your bag over your shoulders and scampering after him only a moment later. You have to trot a little awkwardly to keep up with his long strides. He doesn’t hold the door open for you, but you catch him glancing over his shoulder to see if you’re there.

The teenager working the register looks like it’s their first day, and you assume a middle-aged man leaning against the counter beside her is meant to be showing her the ropes. He’s far more occupied with whatever’s on his phone screen, leaving the cashier to stare up at your driver with wide eyes.

You get it. Standing next to him now, you decide he’s not big - he’s huge. Has to be at least six and a half feet tall, and at least a foot taller than you. Combined with his muscular form - another odd thing for a truck driver - and his all black attire, he seems almost like some sort of monster or omen come to warn about the future.

You step up to the counter beside him, give the cashier your best reassuring smile when she glances at you. It gives her enough courage to stumble over, “Welcome to McDonald’s, what can I get you today?” after only a few stuttering starts. You’re quite proud of her.

“Five Big Macs and fries. No drink.” The man rumbles, his mask umoving. He glances down at you, finally cocks an eyebrow (an expression!) for you to order.

“Uh, just… just ten nuggets for me,” you smile at the cashier, glance up at the driver to make sure you haven’t somehow ordered too much. “And, uh, a Coke?”

“Will that be all for you today?”

“Make it a twenty nugget meal,” your partner corrects, then pulls a worn leather from his back pocket and pays with a shiny card. You can’t help but eye the many bills folded neatly in the wallet.

“Thanks for the upgrade,” you say as the two of you slide onto a pair of stools to wait for your food. “I really appreciate it. I, uh, I can’t pay you back, though.”

He glances at you again, holds you pinned under his gaze and kicks your heartbeat up a few notches. It becomes a conscious effort to keep your breathing steady when he spreads his thighs enough to brush against yours. 

“Don’t worry about it.”

Your meal is largely silent. He all but inhales three of his five burgers, leaves the other two wrapped up presumably for later on the drive. You try and eat all of your nuggets and fries, but your granola bar diet of the last few days means your stomach feels stretched to his limit only a few bites into the meal.

After your fifth nugget, you tuck the little box closed. Shift towards your driver and glance up from the window you’d been staring out to see him already looking down at you.

You clear your throat, take a little sip of your Coke. “I’m done.”

He shakes his head once, reaches forward to pop the little box back open. “No, you’re not. We’re not getting back on the road ‘til you eat at least half.”

You can’t help but blink in surprise at him, not moving to take any more food. He won’t tell you his name, won’t make any small talk whatsoever, but he will worry about how much you’re eating?

He grunts when you don’t make a move to listen to him, pushes the little brown box closer to you. “C’mon. Eat.”

You get through another five under his eye. He doesn’t look away from you, and now you know about the stare. It feels heavier now, like every little twitch from you is catalouged by him. It makes every bite difficult to swallow.

He nods when you tuck the little box closed again, glance a bit wearily at him to make sure he’s content now. He picks up your tray, tucks his two sandwiches in one hand, and leaves. You scramble to keep up.

His strides are a little shorter in the parking lot this time, and the slower pace keeps your blisters from further irritation. You’re not sure it’s intentional, but you’re thankful nonetheless.

The truck is still difficult to get into, but the worn leather seats are a familiar comfort now. This time, your driver flicks on the radio as he pulls out of the rest stop.

For some reason, you feel like maybe he likes you. There’s something in the line of his body that feels a little softer now, the tension in the truck feels a little drained. It could be the music, but you prefer to think that he’s taken a bit of a liking to you. It means he’s less likely to end up hurting you, means you're less likely to have to rely on your non-existent shooting skills.

With the sun nearly fully set and the soft music from the radio, it’s much harder to keep yourself awake. You curl up in the seat, lay your head down on folded arms, and try your best to keep your eyes open.

———————————————————————

You don’t know how long it’s been when you wake up.

The truck is silent now, no engine and no radio, and the world outside is pitch black. You jerk up at the realization, quickly lay a hand on your bag and turn to your driver.

He’s staring at you. You nearly yelp in surprise, bite your tongue so harshly to keep the noise back that you taste the tang of iron.

He looks nearly inhuman in just the low light of the truck. Pale skin, blonde hair, blue eyes, a dark black mask obscuring half of his face. His body is turned towards you, black shirt and dark pants making him look almost like the top half of his face is just… floating. 

“I need to sleep,” he rumbles, keeping you held captive in what almost feels like a staring contest - like if you look away now, you’ll lose something. “You can take the bed in the back.”

That gets your heartbeat quickening, the thud of your pulse loud in your own ears. “Oh… I thought…” you swallow, finally tear your eyes from his to look around. You seem to be at another rest stop, this one a small dark building with two bathrooms and a few vending machines. There aren’t any other trucks parked around you. “I thought I might try and find a motel or something.”

“With what money?”

He’s got you there. You work your tongue against the roof of your mouth, clear away the blood and try to make your mouth not so bone-dry. “Yeah,” you nearly whisper, eyes darting back to his before away again. He hasn’t moved. You clear your throat before speaking again. “But, uh, I don’t want to kick you out of your bed. I can sleep up here.”

“You’ll take the bed,” he reaffirms, with no room for argument in his tone. You can’t help but feel like there’s something more here, like you’re missing something. You don’t feel safe anymore, not like you had after the McDonald’s. Why did you let yourself fall asleep? You could have pressured him to pull off somewhere with a motel, tried to finagle or scam yourself into a room with a lock on the door.

Now you’re stuck in this dark truck, no one else but the driver around for miles.

You swallow again, force down a cough.

You don’t want to sleep in his bed. But a glance over at him tells you that’s what’s going to happen. Your driver doesn’t seem the kind of man to take kindly to disobedience.

“What’s your name?” You ask again, voice weak and quiet. For some reason, this feels important. Like a name will make him more human, easier to swallow.

He only tilts his head a little, face still stoic. “Get in bed. We’ll drive again when the sun rises.”

“Please,” you try, a hint of desperation creeping into your voice. You can’t explain it, but you need his name. Need some evidence that he’s more man than he looks. This moment feels pivotal, and there’s a little voice screaming at the back of your head that things are going in the wrong direction.

“Sleep, doll,” is all he says. His voice isn’t softer, but it’s quieter, like maybe he understands the fear coursing through you.

You squeeze your eyes shut a moment before pushing yourself up, both hands holding onto your bag - your literal only possible defense againt this man - like a lifeline. You know they’d shake if your grips was any looser.

It’s too dark to make out much in the back of his cabin. The bed is a decent size for you, but you wonder if he’s able to stretch out fully on it. You think you can see the outline of a minifridge and a few books resting on the floor. 

He’s still watching you as you sit on the bed, his body unmoved but his head turned towards you. You try to keep your breathing steady as you toe your shoes off, tuck your feet up to the bed with you and curl up on your side.

The bag doesn’t leave your arms. His eyes don’t leave your form. He makes no move to stretch out and sleep like he’d said he would.

You force your eyes closed, no matter how wrong it feels. You try and will yourself to sleep, tell yourself everything will be fine. If he tries anything, you’ll shoot him.

You can still feel his gaze on you when you finally slip into unconsciousness.

———————————————————————

You wake slowly to movement behind you. 

You blink heavy eyelids open, let them fall shut again when there’s no difference in what you can see.  You feel cloaked by sleep still, like your brain has been held underwater and everything moves a little slowly, a little muffled.

The bed dips behind you, and there’s a warmth behind you. A hand at your waist. The top of a foot against the sole of yours. A chest against your back.

Your eyes stay closed, but your brows furrow a bit. Your husband has always hated the idea of cuddling, slept like a corpse on his back and berated you if you dared to touch him in your sleep. You nearly roll over, but figure that might set him off. Your arms still ache from the last argument you’d had.

The hand slips beneath your shirt, rough palm against your waist, thumb smoothing in little circles.

That catches your attention, too - your husband’s hands are soft. He’s never done a day of work in his life, the only job he’s had is some fake title made up by his father at his company. The hand on your skin isn’t soft at all, it’s rough with big, thick fingers that rest heavily on you.

The realization comes to you in pieces.

Your master bedroom was never this dark, the large windows always left wide open to allow moonlight into the room. Your ex-husband’s hands are smooth, boney and nearing on frail. The foot brushing against yours triggers a burning sensation in your blisters.

You keep your breathing even - an effort that feels impossible. 

It’s not your husband at your back, it’s the truck driver.

He’s silent as he tucks himself fully to you. His breath is damp against your neck and you fight down a shudder at the sensation. 

Your bag isn’t in your arms, which means you don’t have your gun. Whatever happens, whatever he does to you, you have no way of defending yourself.

The only reason you don’t cry at the thought is because you don’t want him to know you’re awake. It’s pure self-preservation that keeps your breathing even, your limbs loose, and your breathing slow.

He brings his head closer, his breathing loud in your ear. Every part of him is pressed against you, and you can’t help squeezing your eyes shut more tightly at the hardness poking into your back.

He’s silent as he sets his chin over your shoulder. His groin is tucked right beneath your ass, his knees behind yours and his feet benath yours. He’s just… spooning you.

It feels like an eternity passes just like that. Your heartbeat pounding in every bone, the heat of the driver’s body against yours. His breath is the only noise you hear, ghosting over your ear, heavier than your own.

Eventually, he starts to move. You almost whimper when you realize what he’s doing. 

He’s humping you.

His movements are slow at first, just a little rock of his hips against you. But as the minutes pass he becomes more incensed, his thrusts harder against you, his breathing heavier. He grunts at one point, and it takes everything in you not to flinch away.

You want to scream. You want to open your mouth and shout, to roll over and make him stop.

But you don’t have your gun. And he dwarfs you, every inch of your back covered by him and then some. You can’t stop him.

So you let it happen. You keep your eyes screwed shut, try desperately to go anywhere else in your head and pretend you don’t feel how quickly his hips begin to rock.

His hand moves from your hip to your stomach, his pinky resting on the waistband of your sleep shorts. You don’t think you could stay quiet any longer if his fingers slipped beneath the hem, and you let out a near silent breath of relief when his palm continues up instead of down.

He almost rolls you onto your stomach, angles you so your front is closer to the mattress and he can grind more on you than beside you. His hand slips further up your shirt, and you bite your tongue at the feeling of his rough palm against your nipples.

That gets another huff from him, another low sound that could almost be a moan. You feel him shift again, his hips working a little more roughly. You’re not sure how he possibly thinks you’re still asleep, but you pray he doesn’t take it any further as long as he does.

He doesn’t pinch, just softly strokes over one breast. His hand engulfs it fully, fingers wrapping all the way around the little mound of flesh. The calluses on his palm send little sparks down your spine, and you curse your body for the buzzing sensation between your thighs.

His breath gets heavier in your ear, he’s nearly panting over you. If you weren’t wearing shorts and he wasn’t wearing jeans, he’d be fucking you. His thrusting almost feels like he is. The… thing grinding against you is clearly large, even through all the layers of clothing, and you say another prayer that he doesn’t do more than this.

“Fuck,” he grunts, his chin pushing hard into your shoulder. You almost jerk at the sound of his voice, the evidence that this is real and not some horrible nightmare. 

You wish you could fall back asleep.

You don’t know how long the whole thing lasts. The pitch dark, the driver’s oppressive weight against you, it makes time feel liminal. You’re not sure if he lasts for five minutes or five hours.

But eventually his hips slow, give a few harder thrusts before he goes completely still and lets out a loud groan. Again, you wonder how he expects you to have slept through the noise. 

He shifts back a little in the aftermath, rolling you back to your side with a heavy hand on your stomach. You try to keep yourself as limp as possible, try to make your face go slack.

He lays with you for a while, breathing even and slow. You wish he would leave, wish he would let you start pretending this never happened. His hand stays on your stomach, and you can feel the other crossed over his midsection at your back. His feet hold your ankles to the bed. You hope he can’t feel that you’re squeezing your hands into tight fists where they rest against your thighs.

He doesn’t leave. Instead, he shifts his own thick thigh between your own, the rough denim of his jeans irritating the sensitive skin of your inner thighs. He tucks his leg up, settles it right against your core.

You can’t help the way your breath hitches at the sudden pressure. You hold it immediately after, then try to breathe normally again when you realize how obvious the sudden change sounds. He doesn’t react, though, so you think you’re safe. 

The pressure increases a bit more before stopping. You’re almost propped up on his thigh, your pussy pressed against him through your shorts. It’s hard not to open your eyes, to look down and see what’s happening.

His hand slips down from your stomach to the waistband of your shorts. You can’t keep yourself from moving this time, already knowing what he’s going to do. You shift your hips a little, make a tiny noise in your throat that you hope comes off as a normal still-asleep sound. The movement only presses you closer to him.

He hums lowly in your ear, fingers stroking across the waistband of your shorts before dipping inside, then past your little gray panties. You can’t help the little squeak you make, the way your hands twitch before you force them still.

The sound he makes is almost a laugh, too low and quiet to really be one though. He hushes you softly, pushes on the meat of your most vulnerable part to still you. 

You don’t know if he thinks you’re awake. You think he must, there’s no way you could have slept through what he’d just done, and you’ve moved twice now. But he doesn’t speak to you, doesn’t become more aggressive.

You debate putting up a fight when his fingers sink lower, his palm resting heavily over your cunt. But the thought of him becoming rough, of him restraining you… it makes bile churn in your stomach.

You resign yourself to waiting until it’s over, go limp against the bed again.

Another hum, and his free hand moves beneath your body to grasp your hip. He moves you slowly, little grinding motions over his thigh. The hand over your heat uses two fingers to spread the lips of your cunt, tucks the gusset of your underwear and the fabric of your shorts to the side so your clit makes direct contact with his jeans.

You keen quietly at the sensation, a little animal noise of fear, of pain. You wish you had your gun, wish you could make this man stop.

But you can’t. So you bear it.

He doesn’t touch your clit with his fingers, doesn’t touch any part of your pussy but to spread you wide. His thigh moves along yours, his hand grinding you against it. You hate the slickness gathering at your hole, hate the way your nipples tighten, the way your breaths become heavier.

You bite your tongue to hold back any other sounds, that tang of blood returning after only a few seconds.

“C’mon,” he says into your neck, his voice a low whisper. “Come f’r me, doll... be good.”

You don’t want to be good, can’t suppress the little whine you make at even the thought. He rumbles low in his chest in response, pushes against you a little harder.

You can’t stay quiet through your orgasm. It’s a slow thing, rolling and deep. You feel it in your toes, in your scalp, and in every vein between. Had you been willing, been with a partner of your choice, you may have thrown your head back and cried out. But here in the truck, with this man you can’t believe you were stupid enough to trust, you squeeze your eyes so tightly shut that tears eek out the corners and bite your cheek until there’s a sore. And still, a moan vibrates in your chest.

He stops grinding you against him when your orgasm is finished. His finges slip from you slowly, tuck your panties back over your mound and give you two little pats before he fully pulls his hand away. 

Both of his hands slip back up your stomach, grab a handful of your chest and massage you there for several moments. Your breathing gradually slows as your body comes down, your limbs going limp again despite the fact that his hands are still on you.

He rolls you to your back when he’s finished. You feel his lips press against each of your eyelids, squeezed shut no matter how hard you try to force your face to relax. Another tear slips down the side of your nose, and he kisses it away before it can reach your lips. You feel his tongue stroke beneath each eye, know that he’s cleaning away your tears. He gives you a final, chaste kiss on your lips before pulling away.

He’s gone a moment later, and you’re left cold and alone in his bed.

———————————————————————

He smokes a cigarette while he watches you sleep. Your nose twitches at the first hint of smoke, and he almost smirks at the expression.

He can’t believe he found you. A perfect little doll of a girl, limping all filthy and sad along the side of a highway, just waiting for someone to scoop you up. God truly does have a sick sense of humor, gifting a bastard like Ghost a gift like you.

He hadn’t planned to keep you at first. He figured he’d ride with you for a while, fuck you a few times to have a warm place to dump his cum before dropping you off at a rest stop for another driver to scoop up. But no, that won’t do now that he’s felt your cunt against his hand, watched you try desperately to hold back every expression because you thought it might keep you safe.

He’ll have to find out where the finger-shaped bruises on your arms are from. After this trip, he’ll find whoever left them and take care of them. He’ll be the only one hurting his little doll, no one else. Might even win him a few brownie points with you, if he’s lucky.

Your feet probably need bandaging, too. He’d seen the redness at the back of your ankles when you tucked your feet up on his seats, felt the blisters against his own feet when he laid with you. He’ll make sure you stay off your feet for a bit, give them time to heal.

That gets another smirk. You won’t be leaving the truck for a long time, there’ll be no need to worry about your blisters after tonight. He’ll keep you off your feet. Maybe have you thank him for taking such good care of you.

He’ll try your mouth next. He bites back a moan imagining your face pressed against his crotch, knows already that the difference in size between the two of you will be absolutely pornographic at that angle. Can’t wait to teach you to deepthroat him, salivating at the image of you holding him in your mouth on the road.

He’d already wasted one load, it’s only right you take the next. You’re his now, which means he shouldn’t have to come in his fucking pants like a teenager ever again. 

But he’d gone easy on you, hadn’t made you take him in any of your holes this first night. Even let you pretend to sleep through the whole thing, though your shifting hips and little scrunched up face gave you away as soon as he pressed himself against you.

It was endearing, really, the way you tried so hard to pretend it wasn’t happening. He can still taste your tears on his tongue, mixing with the acrid taste of nicotine. He can’t wait to learn what your pussy tastes like.

He takes a long pull from the cigarette and considers your little shaking form.

You won’t need much now that you’re with him. Only a few outfits in case he needs to bring you in somewhere, but you’ll be kept naked when in his truck. He’ll have to find a motel sometime soon, get all the grime washed off your skin and the grease out of your hair. He’d like to see it brushed out, see how you might style it for him.

He’ll take good care of you. Feed you when you’re hungry, maybe get some little toys or books if you’re good, fuck you whenever you - or he - needs it. 

It’ll take a while for you to settle, he knows. You’ll spend a bit looking for that girly little gun you’d been keeping tucked away in your bag. But that’s okay. He already knows he’ll enjoy training you, showing you just how to be the perfect little doll for him.

He stubs the cigarette out in an ashtray, climbs back into bed with you and tucks you tight to his chest. Your little sniffling breaths draw another little twitch of the lips from him, and he buries his nose in your hair before shutting his eyes.

Yeah, you're going to be perfect for him.

[reinersbb]

𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐓 [𝐉𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫] Chapter Eight- 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐏𝐓.𝟏 [𝓧]

Watching Jean approach an older black truck out of the abundance of cars from this decade packed in the parking lot caught you off guard as you followed close behind the tall figure. By the looks of it, the vehicle had to have been at least thirty years old; at least, that was your assumption. You stand idly by, watching Jean dip slightly as his truck key carves into the lock of the passenger side door, and sure enough, after a few twists and turns, the lock releases.

Near the front of the truck located just before the door crease reads the word "Scottsdale' in big, bold, capitalized silver letters. The light from a nearby streetlamp shines down on you both; your reflection which was pigmented on the reflective metal outside the rearview mirror shifts as Jean plucks the door handle allowing the old heavy door to peel open.

You take a small step aside, Jean walks alongside the truck door as he stands away to allow you entrance into the cab, all while holding the door open for you. Jean driving and owning such a vehicle came much as a surprise to you, but it did seem fitting, nonetheless.

"You drive a truck?" These were the only words that you could form as you approached forward to the cab.

"What? Is that some kind of insult?" Jean's brow creases upward but immediately a hearty chuckle breathes through his lips, "I'm just messing with you, and to be clear it's not just a truck, it was passed down to me from my mother, so I take great care of this vehicle. Now hop in please, I'll help you."

Hiking your left leg upwards while planting your foot against the truck's floorboard as your right leg remains sturdy on the asphalt beneath you. Heaving yourself upward into the cab had been made easy with Jean at your side guiding you along. His palm grazes your waist, and with a firm push and support from Jean, you practically hop into the passenger side seat.

"Thank you," you say to Jean in regard to him helping you.

"Not a problem," Jean double-checks for clearance before he presses the passenger side door shut.

Without wasting any time, your fingers pluck up the metal buckle that belongs to the safety belt. As Jean makes his entrance into the driver's side of the cab, you work on adjusting the seatbelt to the proper length.

Just before Jean inserts the key to the old truck into the ignition, he forwards his attention to you, he can't help but notice you somewhat struggling to adjust the belt. Without saying much or hardly anything at all, he reaches for the belt that sits unclasped on your lap and adjusts the belt to your appropriate sizing. Feeling his knuckles lightly bump and graze against your lower abdomen in an act so innocent such as helping you fix your seatbelt sent you spiraling. You knew that the gesture was innocent and sincere and that Jean just wanted to make sure you were safe before traveling, but there was still something about how Jean's fingers grazed you so close to an area so sensitive which riled you up. Maybe it was because the touch was familiar, inviting, and unmanageable, and maybe the fact of him touching you earlier in the evening couldn't help but get you riled up. Whenever Jean's fingers pull away from your hips, a wave of sadness washes over you.

"Feel secure?" Jean asks, feeling confident in himself, "sorry, that seatbelt is a little tricky, it doesn't like to adjust, and it gets stuck. Hardly anyone sits there so I don't usually fool with it."

"I think it's good, thanks for helping me."

"I was going to suggest if you wanted to sit right next to me because the middle buckle works just fine. Also, sorry ahead of time, the air is going to blow cold at first," Jean says before he inserts the key into the ignition and starts the truck.

The old truck vibrates with life as Jean finally turns the key in the ignition. The air that seeps through the vents is cold and feels bitter against your skin, Jean was right to say the least.

"Sorry again," he holds his hand out in front of a vent, analyzing the temperature of the blowing air before he begins to shrug is coat off of his arms as he did previously before.

"What are you..." words fail you as you watch Jean twist in his seat, peeling off his coat in a prompt manner and partly folding the coat together.

Jean turns to you once finished, "please put this on, I can help you out if you'd like."

"What about yourself, Jean?" You ask while you accept Jean's favor by putting his coat on to keep yourself warm.

Once Jean helps you settle into the large coat of his, he leans back into his spot and grips the wheel, "I will survive, I still have this sweater on, while I'm sure the long sleeves of that dress aren't the warmest."

The snowflakes seem to season against the truck's windshield in slow motion. You observe as the snow breezes in the wind, flying wildly in the wind. You were captivated by the sparkling white crystals that stuck against the windshield before being surely brushed away by the windshield wipers.

A mixture of the scents of cashmere, warm cedar, and leather flood the cab of the truck where the two of you sat. The smell of Jean. For some reason, the scent of him and the old truck's heater finally kicking in and blowing out warm gusts of air is comforting to you.

The leather upholstery is worn and has been used faithfully throughout the years. A single leather air freshener dangles from the rearview mirror, its scent lingers a trace of smoky cedar and fresh leather. Though the style of the truck itself was old, the entirety of the truck seemed well-kept and pristine for its climbing age. Considering the upgrades Jean had made such as a digital screen modern radio in place of where a stock radio used to belong, you could tell that Jean sure knew how to take care of things that were special to him such as his truck. The analyzation of this was also comforting somehow.

"Any song requests?" Jean asks, unsheathing his phone from out of his pants pocket.

You pause for a beat, taking a moment to allow yourself to think, but as you draw blanks you finally respond, "nothing is coming to mind, I think you'll have to pick this one, Jean."

"That's okay," Jean's eyes are glued to his cell phone screen as he taps away, "I'll press shuffle on my playlist, and we can hit the road before the snow starts coming down too heavy."

A black metallic stud implanted in his right earlobe can be spotted through the whisps of his ash-colored locks. Jean's jawline is sharp and speckled with well-groomed facial hair, though, you notice hair tapering from his jaw and bleeding to his neck as a well-passed five o'clock shadow. The muscles on Jean's face are tense as his jaw is clamped shut, his lips pressed together while evaluating the song that appears on his phone screen.

ılı.lıllılı.ıllı. ᴺᵒʷ ᵖˡᵃʸᶦⁿᵍ; [ 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 ] 0:02-◦————— -2:51

"Is this fine?" His strong yet syrupy voice snaps your attention away from his lips.

You hadn't realized you had been staring at the man for God knows how long.

The tune of a guitar strumming on the upbeat hums in the background through the cab of the truck as his pale-colored eyes are locked onto yours as he now faces you. The wave of embarrassment that washed over you was something you'd have to endure, there was no denying that Jean had caught you gawking at him. The light shining from a streetlight flicker just nearby, the shadows that carved into Jean's face shifting as the light dims momentarily before rebalancing. The light that casts from Jean's phone screen illuminates Jean's facial features until the brightness slowly fades until surely enough the screen dies.

His hand that holds his phone slowly lowers and gravitates to the center console.

"Yeah... this is fine," you mummer, the air in the cab of the truck suddenly shifted and grew thick making it difficult for you to breathe.

Cutting your glance away to stare back at the snow that flows with the wind, only to apply damage control to the situation. You count the moment down from the number five before you take a look just to your left in Jean's vicinity. There, you notice the man's hazel eyes staring intently at you with a sense of longing.

Your name slipping through Jean's lips breaks the silence that envelopes you both.

With a hesitant pull of your chin, you turn your head and face Jean once more. Jean's face is unreadable while his eyes are locked onto yours. A slight amount of pressure builds within the cavity of your chest, but this feeling doesn't deter you to look away from Jean.

The silence between you two is heavy and also comfortable. If it weren't for the purring of the truck's engine and the parts within the vehicle trickling with liquid, the sound of the snowflakes hitting the body of the truck were sure to have been heard.

"Jean," again, the silence is broken momentarily.

Instead of another word leaving Jean's mouth, his eyes narrow down- but only slightly as he leans towards you. With Jean's presence feeling so inviting, you do what felt most natural to you by leaning yourself into his orbit.

Jean's lips coax yours into a meeting his for a sweet syrupy kiss. Once you feel his lips press against yours, you feel a shiver tingle throughout your body starting from head to toe.

The smell of his scent wafts through your nostrils, breathing him in as the kiss deepens. Your knees buckle together, thighs pushing together out of the feeling of temptation.

Naturally, your right-hand lifts to feel for Jean's structured face. A small grin combs your lips as you can feel the stubble of his facial hair tickle the palm of your hand. Jean, who couldn't get enough of you, leans even further into you, his right hand propping his body up with his fingertips digging into the leather upholstery.

Feeling Jean's tongue brush past your lower lip and into your mouth causes you to react with a muted moan croaking from the depths of your throat. You can feel the side of your face be caressed momentarily by jean before the same hand hooks to the back of your neck, pressing you more into him to deepen the kiss.

"Jean," a breathy moan seeps through your lips as you pull your face momentarily to catch a quick intake of air.

In a rather fluid motion, Jean maneuvers his left hand to the latch of his seatbelt and sure enough, he is released from the constraints of his seatbelt that once held him into place while he stays glued to you. Your body had gravitated to him, being turned and exposed to the man who was hovering beside you. Jean dips once more so his lips are pressing against yours for another time with the same amount of intensity from earlier just as if your lips never parted in the first place.

Your fingertips dance away at the belt buckle, wanting to be freed from the hold that it had on you so that way you were allowed more wiggle room to be closer to Jean. It seemed like Jean could sense your struggling with the seatbelt, which caused the corners of his lips to peak up into a slight smile before a planted an array of short quick kisses on your lips before pulling away once more.

The locks of his hair fell over his sturdy brow as he studied the seatbelt in the dark. Your body purred with pleasure as you felt his lengthy fingers graze your pelvis as hooked the belt buckle into his hand. Feeling pressure build within you, you felt as if you were to explode just by feeling his hand within the proximity of such a sensitive area of your body.

The chime of the buckle disengaging rings through your ears, notifying you that you had been freed to move about freely. Immediately, you feel Jean's same hand brush against your hip and then to your waist as he scoops you closer to him. Your body melds to his as you manage to find yourself planted on top of Jean's lap. His back pressed against the middle seat, your legs bent and at either side of him while his hands were holding you into place by gripping onto your hips. If you leaned enough body weight down, you could feel his member protruding through his slacks and against you.

Feeling Jean's dick pressing against your sensitive area that was only covered by a simple lace thong caused a whimper to escape. Jean's chin is tilted upward as you are looking down at him, your lips pressing into his. His tongue swept against yours in fluid motions, his hands tightening in grip as he holds onto you, never wanting to let you go. Your arms are hooked around the back of his neck as he slowly begins to sensually stroke your body in smooth patterns.

Your body quivers and shakes while feeling helpless at the weight of his mercy. For another time, you draw your lips away from his and sip in breaths of hot air through kiss-swollen lips. Jean's chest rises and falls at an erratic pace as he stares at you through his dark lashes. You find yourself ducking your head down, beginning to place a few kisses on his radiating skin. The scent of a mixture of musk, sandalwood, and cedar with undertones of lavender emitting from Jean's bustling locks of hair ambush your nostrils.

Feeling your lips press against and suck on his neck causes Jean to inhale sharply through his nose as the back of his head rests against the seat, his hands latching onto you with more strength.

Had you found one of Jean's weaknesses?

Wanting to test your theory, your soft lips suckle on different areas of Jean's neck to compile an answer. Every time your lips press and suck on his neck you feel Jean grow more and more restless as you sit on top of his lap.

"You'd better stop that," he heaves a warning, "if you know what's good for you..."

"What are you talking about," you purr innocently into his ear with a playful tone.

Your parted lips press gently against Jean's hot skin as you continue to plant kisses and suck marks on his neck. With each time he feels your lips simply press against his neck sends him up a wall. His hands are holding onto you tightly, refusing to let go as he digs his hips upward, his boner pressing and rubbing against your covered pussy.

"I'm warning you," Jean says your name through seethed lips.

Sure, it seemed like an airless threat from Jean, or so you thought. To you, there was a lack of fuel behind the fire, that's why you didn't acknowledge either Jean's first or second warning. Coming from Jean's standpoint, there would be no third warning.

Jean's head is pressing against the upholstery while your lips hover just above his skin in a curious manner. You were somewhat hesitant to proceed even though you didn't believe Jean's warnings.

Another kiss but on the opposite side of Jean's throat causes a sharp intake of air to seep through his nostrils, at the same time his grip that was already clenched down onto your body tightens even more. You feel Jean's hips press up against you, his sheathed cock pressing into you in a tantalizing manner. A whimper forms from the back of your throat, feeling Jean's dick press and dig against you.

You felt him and now you wanted him.

Jean's right-hand releases you as he pulls his hand forward, feeling along your body from underneath the coat that you wore. Instinctively, your body meets and melds with the palm of his hand as he touches you in a sensual manner. Naturally, the hem of your dress folds upwards as your legs are stretched open to fit on top of Jean's lap. Jean's hand glides down your body, his thumb raking in the purple dress material slightly so that way you were more exposed to him.

A hiccup type of gasp breaks from your mouth as you feel one of Jean's weighted fingers slide past the hem of your lace underwear and begin trailing your throbbing clit in smooth sensual circles. Your legs press against Jean's strong figure from feeling his thumb swipe against your clit.

The pad of Jean's thumb is coated with your slick juices as he rubs the bud in counterclockwise motions, his thumb casually slipping from in and out of place due to the wetness of your folds. You felt at your wits end, unable to take much more of the insufferable pleasure without being able to take action.

Swaying side to side, your hips followed the pattern of Jean's thumb in the same synchronous motion. Pushing yourself forward and leaning back to feel the pressure fluctuate.

"Jean," you let out a whimper which only makes Jean's hardened cock twitch, "please, I can't take-"

Without any premeditation, Jean's left hand snatches up and cups the back of your head, pulling your face to his. His lips crash against yours, rather, yours crash against his. Another whimper from you is muffled by the passionate lip lock as Jean's thumb picks up in pace and begins circling around your clit in a quicker motion.

You felt the bundle of nerves begin to build up deep within you, starting at your core and the fuzzy feeling begin to boil over. Jean's tongue is hot as it fights with yours for dominance.

The palm of your hands lay flat against his lower abdomen as the two of you sit lip locked. You can feel Jean's stomach rise and fall frantically; the belt buckle that hooked around jeans hips shocks you with a cool sensation. Without a second thought or any thought at all you began to toy with the belt buckle. Though you weren't looking, you somehow manage to undo the belt that he wore, and you refused to stop there.

You felt the imprint of Jean's girthy cock through his boxer briefs with your fingertips. Jean sighs desperately, feeling how nice your touch was on his body. Jean's muscles relax into the seat, his lips parting from yours as the back of his head rests against the upholstery for another time while you slowly begin to stroke him by caressing his dick through the contours of his underwear.

By this time the song that was playing had already long and finished, and now the third song was on and playing a light tune in the background of the cab.

Jean's thumb strokes against your clit slowly growing lazy as he rides the waves of you stroking his cock in your hand. His hazel eyes burn through you in admiration. Jean reluctantly removes his hand away from your clit, taking a moment to brush his hair back, and immediately the absence of Jean's hand tending to your pussy makes you feel sad and greedy.

His hand drops back down, and instead of returning to your sensitive bud, his hand caresses yours as you toy with his dick through his underwear. Your hand goes limp, becoming submissive to his touch as he guides your hand to the brim of his underwear. Pushing underneath and past the logo imprinted band, his hand encouraging yours to grab his dick.

So, you do just that.

The base of his girthy dick is held in your grasp, unsure of how light or how hard to grip it. Jean's hand clasps around yours, your grip tightening just ever so slightly to adjust to his liking. Slowly, your hand begins to stroke up and down in a fluid motion from the assistance of Jean.

How you were grateful of the tinted windows.

As you were in the middle of such intimate moment, both you and Jean couldn't ignore the sound of the early winter storms winds howl in the background and shake the cab of the truck. Jean sighs reluctantly at the indication of the bad weather that was evident of arrival at any times notice.

"This will have to resume later, I want to get you out of here safely before the weather gets too terrible," Jean admits, and even though you understood the circumstances you were still a little disheartened with having to pause.  The drive from the restaurant back to the frat house is quick enough. Jean made sure to be cautious while on the road. Just before the two of you made it back, the snow started to fall in a greater density. At one point during the journey, the road was hardly visible, but luckily enough it was near the end of the trip.

Jeans jacket was wrapped tightly around your body as the bitter wind pounded and slapped across your body. Jean made sure to stay close beside you as the both of you ventured up the home's front yard. Any other time you would've been able to notice all of the features that the house had, but heavy snowfall prevented you from being able to do so. The only thing your eyes weren't deceived of was the large wooden front door before pushing past it to escape the oncoming assault from the snow.

Without even being seen, you could hear Eren shout from a room to your left, "it's about time you two made it back."

"I can't control that the snow started to come down like crazy," Jean calls out, carefully knocking the snow that hugged his feet off of his shoes at the carpeted entryway.

"Well, maybe if you didn't have that old ass truck of yours," you could hear Eren's voice drag on in a playful tone.

All Jean did was heave a deep sigh in response once he stood straight on his feet from being bent forward and polishing his shoes to near perfection. There might have been an eye roll

The warm air from the powerful heater felt nice to you like you'd been frozen for the short duration of being caught out in the snow and were simply thawing out in the heated atmosphere. Jean helps you peel the coat from your arms before hanging the material on a wall hanger.

"What game are we playing first?"

"Oh Shit."

"What is that?" You ask with a curious tongue, having no inclination toward the game.

"We will have to teach her," Eren sighs, "but don't worry, it's pretty simple."

"I'm sorry, my mom is calling," Jean says while glancing at his phone, "I need to step out and take this. I'll be right back."

Jean excuses himself from the living room and proceeds to the kitchen area since it was the closest exit to him.

"Guess we'll teach her the rules while mama's boy is on the phone," Eren says in a playful tone.

Connie is munching on a handful of trail mix and currently placing a pinch into his mouth before he begins to speak, "how much change do you have on you?"

"Change?" You furrow a brow, thinking back to the quantities of your purse, "I am not sure, I don't think I have any change or cash on me."

"You like to make things difficult, okay, fine," Eren begins to pull something from his pocket, "you can bum quarters off of me."

"We playing for keeps?" Connie wipes his empty crumb ridden palm on his pajama pants.

"No," Eren glances at the boy with buzzed hair, "not the first few rounds, at least."

As the two boys continue talking to each other, your gaze catches in the direction of the kitchen where Jean made his exit. Forwarding your attention back to the two, you take a seat in between Armin and Eren. As you get comfortable and make yourself acquainted, back your attention goes to the entrance of the kitchen. There, you are able to see Jean sitting at the kitchen island, one arm propped up to keep his head up while on the phone with his mom.

From the angle you see him, you are unable to see his face, but you manage to get a view of his side profile. His lips seemed pasted together, his lips moving animatedly every once in a while. There was something off-putting in his energy. You sat silently to yourself, studying the man.

Jean pushing his weight up from the island stool causes you to look back at the action currently happening at hand. You watch Eren and Connie fool with the sets of quarters, momentarily glancing back and over at Jean only to notice and watch him heading for the back door and exit to the extremities of the snowy weather, his cell phone still pressed to his ear.

"Did you catch all of that?"

"Huh?" Your attention clocks back to Eren and Connie.

"No, I'm sorry, I'm still a little confused," you lie to the two boys.

You weren't a little confused, you were still completely lost due to negligence of paying attention to Connie and Eren's presentation.

"If it means anything to you, I wanted to play Uno," Armin chimes in.

"You're the birthday boy, Armin, why don't you have any say?"

"There was a vote," Armin almost sounds a bit defeated.

"I told you that we are going to play Uno next, don't sweat it, blondie."

By the time you fully grasped the detailed explanation of the rules provided by both Eren and Connie, Jean had made his entrance back into the kitchen. The snow that settled onto his shoulders and tangled into the locks of his hair instantly began to melt once Jean steps inside. The tip of Jean's nose was red from the bitter chilliness of the outside elements, but it didn't seem to faze him any.

"Sorry about that," was the first thing Jean says to the group huddled in the living room as he steps foot into the living space, "you all could've started playing without me."

Jean is shoving his phone into his pants pocket while approaching the large sofa sectional, his eyes darting to you after glancing at Eren first and then eventually back to Eren where the hazel hues stayed placed.

Eren's face is turned to Jean while he shuffles the playing cards in his hand, "don't worry about it. We had to teach her the rules anyway," Eren's hand, which has half of the deck held in it, leans to the left, suggesting to you.

Jean eyes you once more, he seems to analyze the space around you that was occupied by Armin and Eren before finding an open area on the sectional that was across from you.

The rules seemed straightforward enough. Receive a card from the dealer of the round, hope it's low enough, and if not, swap with the person sitting to the left. Whoever has the highest number card pays a quarter. The winner keeps the pot of quarters. But for now, the first few games wouldn't be for keeps.

"I'm dealing," Eren announces as he finishes shuffling.

Reiner, who was to the right of Eren leans forward to the middle ottoman and cuts the deck before Eren recollects the cards into hand and passes one to you first. You peel the corner of the car up to view the number, a six, which isn't the worse you could obtain. Your lips pulse together, deciding to either stay or swap, which inevitably you decided to stay with your card considering how many people were playing.

Eren, who was left with what must've been a trash card immediately draws from the pile and flips it over to reveal an eight. Simultaneously, everyone else around the living room circle flips their cards up to reveal who would be the one paying up. Niccolo and Connie both having the same card, which was the highest value, both drop a quarter into the center cup to pay up. Your first time playing and you were already enjoying seeing everyone act betrayed by one another as it was only the first round.

You were next to dish out cards to the group. After the stack of cards were shuffled, Eren made sure to cut the deck and hand the stack back to you before you begin handing out one card to each player.

"Give me something good," Jean is grinning from ear to ear as he says your name, your fingers pinching on the top card as you go to deal a card to him.

Jean steals a look at his card, immediately the boys face lights up as he flips his card oer to reveal a King, the only card that is untouchable in the game. A few groans were emitted around the rather large group, as Jean was the only one to have received a King. Jean was safe, at least for this round.

"They're cheating," Connie whines, "you got yours coming, Jean."

"You all saw Eren cut the deck for me," you shrug your shoulders, a cheeky smirk following along.

Rounds of the chaotic game quickly flew by, every other person dropping out of the game left and right, dropping their last quarter into the collection cup. You, unfortunately also faced defeat somewhere along the way, but which was expected since you were only just introduced to the game not so long ago. The only players that remained were Jean, Niccolo, and Reiner. Eren had made it to the top four, but sadly his five-valued card was still the highest of the draw somehow.

Jean remained with one quarter left, both Reiner and Niccolo had two quarters left each. Things weren't looking good for Jean, but he had made it this far, so you continued to root for him, even if it was mostly internally.

Jean was decent at masking his tells, though sometimes you could catch the top of the bridge of his nose scrunching ever so slightly. While on the other hand, Reiner was a pro with masking his emotions, his face was way too serious to be read, while on the other hand Niccolo seemed to be in the top three based solely on luck alone.

"That's me," Niccolo drops a quarter into the pot after revealing a jack to the group.

Now the group was at one, one, two, Reiner still in the lead.

Jean rakes in the used cards and places them into the deck of cards before shuffling the entire deck with his long fingers. His pale eyes flash to you momentarily, as if he was checking on you to see if you were still there and tracking the game. His eyes locking onto yours- or rather, your eyes naturally finding his and locking onto one another sends a fresh volt of electricity to buss through your body, an encouraging smile forms on your lips that tells Jean that you are rooting for him to win.

Reiner takes the deck and cuts the deck into two sections before placing the top half onto the top for Jean. The first card was dealt to Niccolo, then to Reiner before Jean laid one for himself. Niccolo flipped his card up to reveal a king, not that Jean could take from Niccolo anyways, Reiner immediately swaps his card for Jean's card. Jean views the new card and chuckles slightly while Reiner groans in agony after viewing his newest possession. Jean taps the deck of cards with an index finger before drawing to reveal a seven, which was still much better than the Jack Reiner received.

The sound of stacked quarters clinking against one another Reiner plops one of his two into the cup. Now, everyone only had one quarter each to their names. You were practically on the edge of your seat as you watch the rotation move to the dealer being Niccolo. It was evident there would be someone eliminated this round and the round after that would mark a winner. You just hoped that the winner would be Jean. You knew him the most, you were closest to him, it was only natural that you would hope for Jean to win. Maybe it was favoritism, but you didn't want either Reiner or Niccolo winning one bit.

First card was dealt to Reiner, second to Jean, and last to Niccolo himself. Reiner stares at his card for not even a complete second before he claims that he wants to stay where he's at. The same as Jean who had taken one look at his card and called it that he would also be staying. Niccolo, even though he had the option to draw from the deck of cards since he was the dealer, also stayed with what he had.

"Three two..."Niccolo counts down and he flips his card on the number one.

Reiner jumps up from his comfortable seat when all the cards are revealed around the center console. Both Jean and Niccolo had an Ace while Reiner was left with the number two. Reiner's face is now heated to a mild shade of red out of disbelief, though still being a good sport, he drops his last remaining quarter into the center cup.

Not for much longer the game continues, Niccolo and Jean were the last two standing, but Niccolo was soon to face defeat whenever Jean wins the last round by having an ace in his possession and Niccolo having pulled a higher value card. The boys congratulate Jean on his victory though some of them are petty about it.

--------

The hexagon shaped bottom of a clear kitchen glass presses against the marbling of the kitchens center island as you place your cup down. Sounds of the bustling group yelling at one another while playing a round of Uno can be heard as you sit in the kitchen alone all by yourself.

To you, a small break away from the activities was needed. So that's exactly what you were currently doing, getting yourself something to drink.

Shadows that cast off of moving individuals illuminate the living room walls as you glance forward to the room adjacent from you. Your fingertips dance a subtle rhythm against the now emptied Libbey glass. The beat is dull and can be drowned out by the snowy breeze that's currently blowing against the frat home. In the reflection of the glass shows a hallway that's located directly behind you as you slowly turn the weighted glass at an angle in your hand.

And suddenly, the clogs begin to turn as a wicked idea begins to form in your head.

The hexagon shaped bottom of the drink ware is pressed against the polished marble island as you direct your weight away from the center counter space. Leaving the empty glass behind as you venture off out of the kitchen and into the hallway that had stolen your attention just a moment ago.

From left to right and back to left again you turn your head each way before glancing at the staircase that was ahead of you. Without a second thought, you find your hand against the rail of the staircase and already five steps upwards on the sturdy oak stairs.

The walls of the great foyer were painted with a recent coat of paint. The interior of the home seemed to be recently updated from what you had seen this far.

"Where exactly are you running off to?" A syrupy voice rings out from behind you.

It was more than safe to say that you'd been caught red handed.

One foot pivots as your other plants down firmly to the step in front of you as you turn in a one eighty degree motion. Chocolate brown eyes and a warm freckle kissed face greets you.

"I was looking for a restroom," a simple lie.

The smile on Marco's face never falters, "sure, right this way," Marco suggests to the top of the staircase and you turn around once more to finish the pursuit up the staircase.

"Thanks again, Marco," you thank the boy once the restroom had been found.

"Don't mention it," Marco begins to tread down the hallway that you two had just ventured through, "by the way, Jean's room is the last door on the right, just in case you were curious."

An excursion to the restroom had only been just a simple ploy for your true intentions, even if they were somewhat devious. Though, you did take advantage to utilize the restroom and to freshen your appearance since given the opportunity.

The somewhat narrow hallway is daunting to you. The sparsely decorated walls feel as though they were beginning to close in as you took short but delicate choppy steps to the door Marco had addressed to be Jeans from not only a few minutes ago. Soon, you found yourself planted in front of a pale plain white door with a golden circular knob as a handle.

Jean's bedroom.

[popculturelib]

A selection of cactus postcards from our collection. Information on the postcards is below the read more.

The Browne Popular Culture Library (BPCL), founded in 1969, is the most comprehensive archive of its kind in the United States.  Our focus and mission is to acquire and preserve research materials on American Popular Culture (post 1876) for curricular and research use. Visit our website at https://www.bgsu.edu/library/pcl.html.

"924:--Cholla Cactus on a California Desert." Published by Kashower Co, Los Angeles. Sent from Sierra Madre, California, to Kansas City, Missouri, in February 1937.

"F. F. 33 Night-blooming Cereus and Crotons, Florida." Photography by W. F. Gerecke, Pan American Photo Service, Miami. Sent from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Gardner, Massachusetts, by a granddaughter to her grandmother in January 1940.

"574 Yucca Palm or Spanish Dagger, California 1A-H455." By Western Publishing & Novelty Co. Sent from Pasadena, California, to Gardner, Massachusetts, in March 1933.

"909 Sentinels of the Desert, Giant Cactus (Sahuaro) 1A-H547." By Western Publishing and Novelty Co. Send from Los Angeles, California, to Burlington, Iowa, in July 1946.

"Riders on the Desert." Published by Bob Petley, Phoenix, Arizona. Sent from Phoenix to Bowling Green, Ohio, in February 1954.

"Desert Beauty PH-44-5." Published by H. S. Crocker Co., Inc. Photo by Jim Sexton. Sent from Bellevue, Washington, to Princeton, Massachusetts, in January 1963.

"H 1581 A Giant Cactus, Arizona." By Fred Harvey. Sent from Cactus, Arizona, to Gardner, Massachusetts, in December 1952.

"World's Largest Saguaro." Published by Bob Petley, Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Hubert Lowman. Sent from Phoenix to Dearborn, Michigan.

"Saguaros, Giant Cacti." by Mike Roberts and Petley Studios. Sent from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Princeton, Massachusetts, in September 1964.

[rockislandadultreads]

Read-Alikes: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple

Bernadette Fox has vanished.

When her daughter Bee claims a family trip to Antarctica as a reward for perfect grades, Bernadette, a fiercely intelligent shut-in, throws herself into preparations for the trip. But worn down by years of trying to live the Seattle life she never wanted, Ms. Fox is on the brink of a meltdown. And after a school fundraiser goes disastrously awry at her hands, she disappears, leaving her family to pick up the pieces - which is exactly what Bee does, weaving together an elaborate web of emails, invoices, and school memos that reveals a secret past Bernadette has been hiding for decades. 

Where'd You Go Bernadette is an ingenious and unabashedly entertaining novel about a family coming to terms with who they are and the power of a daughter's love for her mother.

Beauchamp Hall by Danielle Steel

Winona Farmington once dreamed of graduating from college, moving to New York City, and pursuing a career in publishing. Then real life got in the way when she left college and returned to her small Michigan hometown to care for her sick mother.

Years later, stuck in a dead-end job and an unsatisfying relationship, Winnie has concluded that dreams were meant for others. She consoles herself with binge-watching the British television series that she loves, Beauchamp Hall, enthralled by the sumptuous period drama set on a great Norfolk estate in the 1920s. The rich upstairs-downstairs world brilliantly brought to life by superb actors is the ultimate in escapism.

On the day Winnie is passed over for a long-overdue promotion, she is also betrayed by her boyfriend and her best friend. Heartbroken, she makes the first impulsive decision of her conventional life - which changes everything. She packs her bags and flies to England to see the town where Beauchamp Hall is filmed. The quaint B & B where she stays feels like home. The brother and sister who live in the castle where the show is filmed, rich in titles but poor in cash, are more like long-lost friends than British nobility. And the show itself, with its colorful company and behind-the-scenes affairs, is a drama all its own. 

Her Hidden Genius by Marie Benedict

Rosalind Franklin has always been an outsider - brilliant, but different. Whether working at the laboratory she adored in Paris or toiling at a university in London, she feels closest to the science, those unchanging laws of physics and chemistry that guide her experiments. When she is assigned to work on DNA, she believes she can unearth its secrets.

Rosalind knows if she just takes one more X-ray picture - one more after thousands - she can unlock the building blocks of life. Never again will she have to listen to her colleagues complain about her, especially Maurice Wilkins who'd rather conspire about genetics with James Watson and Francis Crick than work alongside her.

Then it finally happens - the double helix structure of DNA reveals itself to her with perfect clarity. But what unfolds next, Rosalind could have never predicted.

Mr. and Mrs. American Pie by Juliet McDaniel 

The year is 1969. Dick Nixon was just sworn in as the thirty-seventh President of the United States. Neil Armstrong just took one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind. And notable Palm Springs socialite Maxine Simmons just found out that her husband is leaving her for his twenty-two-year-old secretary.

After a public meltdown at Thanksgiving, Maxine finds herself not only divorced, but exiled to Scottsdale, Arizona. However, these desert boondocks will not be her end - only her Elba. The former beauty queen sets her eyes on a new crown: that of the Mrs. American Pie pageant, awarded to the nation’s best wife and mother.

Maxine only has one problem: to win the crown she’ll need to find - or build - a family of her own.

[tameblog]

Restaurant Decoration Ideas for Valentine's Day Setting the perfect mood goes beyond food. If you’re a restaurant owner or planning a special event, consider these Valentine's Day restaurant decoration ideas: Use red cloth napkins and oval placemats to add a pop of matching color to your table settings. Opt for round table linen in soft pink or cream shades to enhance the romantic ambiance. Decorate with candles, fairy lights, and fresh flowers to create an intimate atmosphere. When thinking about how to decorate a restaurant for Valentine's Day, remember that small touches like handwritten menus or personalized place cards can make guests feel extra special. Top Restaurants Offering Exceptional Valentine's Day Dining Experiences 1. Cafe Monarch (Scottsdale, Arizona) Known for its upscale ambiance, Cafe Monarch offers a curated Valentine's Day restaurant menu designed to impress. The multi-course dinner here is perfect for those looking to celebrate in style. Each dish is crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients, paired with an extensive wine selection to complete the experience. 2. 71Above (Los Angeles, California) Enjoy breathtaking views of the Los Angeles skyline while indulging in Valentine's Day food specials near me that include gourmet offerings like seared scallops and filet mignon. The ambiance is elegant, making it an ideal spot for romantic dinners. 3. Cesarina (San Diego, California) Cesarina’s authentic Italian flavors and charming decor set the stage for an unforgettable Valentine’s evening. The restaurant’s Valentine's Day restaurant specials often feature heart-shaped pasta dishes and decadent desserts. 4. Spencer's Restaurant (Palm Springs, California) For couples who enjoy outdoor dining, Spencer’s offers a romantic patio surrounded by lush gardens. Their Valentine's Day food deals often include special prix fixe menus, ensuring a delightful culinary experience. 5. 3 Arts Club Cafe at RH Chicago (Chicago, Illinois) Nestled in a historic building, this cafe combines fine dining with artistic architecture. Their Valentine's Day food promotions feature exquisite brunch and dinner options, perfect for couples seeking a unique setting. 6. Dominick's Steakhouse (Scottsdale, Arizona) This upscale steakhouse is a haven for meat lovers. Their Valentine's Day food bouquets, crafted with premium cuts of meat, are as creative as they are delicious. 7. La Grande Boucherie (New York City, New York) In the heart of NYC, La Grande Boucherie offers a quintessential Parisian experience. Their Valentine's Day restaurant NYC menu includes signature French dishes paired with champagne, perfect for a cozy night out. 8. C Level Lounge (San Diego, California) This waterfront restaurant offers spectacular views and creative dishes. Their Valentine's Day food board ideas include seafood platters and charcuterie boards designed for sharing. 9. Kyle G's Prime Seafood & Steaks (Jensen Beach, Florida) If you’re looking for coastal vibes, Kyle G’s is the place to be. Their Valentine's Day restaurant deals include a mix of surf-and-turf options, ensuring both land and sea lovers are satisfied. Also Read: What Are The Best Valentine's Day Food Specials  Unique and Fun Dining Options Fast Food with a Twist You might be surprised, but some fast-food chains go above and beyond on Valentine’s Day. For instance, which fast food chain offers tableside service on Valentine's Day? White Castle is known for transforming its restaurants with romantic decorations and offering tableside service to make the night extra special. Delivery and Takeout Options For those who prefer a cozy night in, consider Valentine's Day food delivery from your favorite local restaurants. Many offer curated meals or Valentine's Day food crafts, such as heart-shaped pizzas and themed desserts. These are perfect for a relaxed yet romantic evening at home. Read Related: How to Set a Table with a Runner and Placemats Creative Dining Ideas for a Memorable Evening Valentine’s Day Food BoardsCreate a luxurious spread featuring artisanal cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, and chocolates. These Valentine's Day food board ideas are easy to assemble and pair beautifully with a bottle of wine. Food BouquetsWhy settle for flowers when you can have food bouquets? Popular choices include edible arrangements made with fruits, chocolates, or even sushi. These Valentine's Day food bouquets make for a delightful and unexpected surprise. Deals and Promotions to Look Out For 1. where to get free food on Valentine’s Day?  Many restaurants offer special deals and freebies on Valentine’s Day to make the occasion even more special. For instance, Noodles & Company provides a free shareable entrée to rewards members with a qualifying purchase. Chick-fil-A joins the celebration by offering heart-shaped trays filled with nuggets, Chick-n-Minis, and chocolate fudge brownies, perfect for sharing with loved ones. These thoughtful offers add a delicious touch to your Valentine’s Day plans. 2. where to order food for Valentine’s Day.  In the United States, you have plenty of options to order food for Valentine’s Day, whether from restaurants, meal kit services, or online retailers. Many restaurants offer delivery or dine-in options to make your celebration special. Meal kit services like Goldbelly provide curated Valentine’s Day kits featuring pasta, surf and turf, and indulgent desserts. Online retailers also deliver a variety of treats, including popular Valentine’s favorites like chocolate, brownies, pasta, and donuts. Know About: How to Make Snow Cream Recipe: A Delightful Winter Treat From luxurious dining experiences to creative at-home celebrations, there’s no shortage of options for making Valentine’s Day unforgettable. Whether you’re booking a table at a top-tier restaurant, browsing for unique Valentine’s Day food specials near me, or creating your own romantic evening with Valentine’s Day food crafts, the key is to celebrate in a way that feels meaningful to you and your partner. So, start planning now! Source link

[ramestoryworld]

Restaurant Decoration Ideas for Valentine's Day Setting the perfect mood goes beyond food. If you’re a restaurant owner or planning a special event, consider these Valentine's Day restaurant decoration ideas: Use red cloth napkins and oval placemats to add a pop of matching color to your table settings. Opt for round table linen in soft pink or cream shades to enhance the romantic ambiance. Decorate with candles, fairy lights, and fresh flowers to create an intimate atmosphere. When thinking about how to decorate a restaurant for Valentine's Day, remember that small touches like handwritten menus or personalized place cards can make guests feel extra special. Top Restaurants Offering Exceptional Valentine's Day Dining Experiences 1. Cafe Monarch (Scottsdale, Arizona) Known for its upscale ambiance, Cafe Monarch offers a curated Valentine's Day restaurant menu designed to impress. The multi-course dinner here is perfect for those looking to celebrate in style. Each dish is crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients, paired with an extensive wine selection to complete the experience. 2. 71Above (Los Angeles, California) Enjoy breathtaking views of the Los Angeles skyline while indulging in Valentine's Day food specials near me that include gourmet offerings like seared scallops and filet mignon. The ambiance is elegant, making it an ideal spot for romantic dinners. 3. Cesarina (San Diego, California) Cesarina’s authentic Italian flavors and charming decor set the stage for an unforgettable Valentine’s evening. The restaurant’s Valentine's Day restaurant specials often feature heart-shaped pasta dishes and decadent desserts. 4. Spencer's Restaurant (Palm Springs, California) For couples who enjoy outdoor dining, Spencer’s offers a romantic patio surrounded by lush gardens. Their Valentine's Day food deals often include special prix fixe menus, ensuring a delightful culinary experience. 5. 3 Arts Club Cafe at RH Chicago (Chicago, Illinois) Nestled in a historic building, this cafe combines fine dining with artistic architecture. Their Valentine's Day food promotions feature exquisite brunch and dinner options, perfect for couples seeking a unique setting. 6. Dominick's Steakhouse (Scottsdale, Arizona) This upscale steakhouse is a haven for meat lovers. Their Valentine's Day food bouquets, crafted with premium cuts of meat, are as creative as they are delicious. 7. La Grande Boucherie (New York City, New York) In the heart of NYC, La Grande Boucherie offers a quintessential Parisian experience. Their Valentine's Day restaurant NYC menu includes signature French dishes paired with champagne, perfect for a cozy night out. 8. C Level Lounge (San Diego, California) This waterfront restaurant offers spectacular views and creative dishes. Their Valentine's Day food board ideas include seafood platters and charcuterie boards designed for sharing. 9. Kyle G's Prime Seafood & Steaks (Jensen Beach, Florida) If you’re looking for coastal vibes, Kyle G’s is the place to be. Their Valentine's Day restaurant deals include a mix of surf-and-turf options, ensuring both land and sea lovers are satisfied. Also Read: What Are The Best Valentine's Day Food Specials  Unique and Fun Dining Options Fast Food with a Twist You might be surprised, but some fast-food chains go above and beyond on Valentine’s Day. For instance, which fast food chain offers tableside service on Valentine's Day? White Castle is known for transforming its restaurants with romantic decorations and offering tableside service to make the night extra special. Delivery and Takeout Options For those who prefer a cozy night in, consider Valentine's Day food delivery from your favorite local restaurants. Many offer curated meals or Valentine's Day food crafts, such as heart-shaped pizzas and themed desserts. These are perfect for a relaxed yet romantic evening at home. Read Related: How to Set a Table with a Runner and Placemats Creative Dining Ideas for a Memorable Evening Valentine’s Day Food BoardsCreate a luxurious spread featuring artisanal cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, and chocolates. These Valentine's Day food board ideas are easy to assemble and pair beautifully with a bottle of wine. Food BouquetsWhy settle for flowers when you can have food bouquets? Popular choices include edible arrangements made with fruits, chocolates, or even sushi. These Valentine's Day food bouquets make for a delightful and unexpected surprise. Deals and Promotions to Look Out For 1. where to get free food on Valentine’s Day?  Many restaurants offer special deals and freebies on Valentine’s Day to make the occasion even more special. For instance, Noodles & Company provides a free shareable entrée to rewards members with a qualifying purchase. Chick-fil-A joins the celebration by offering heart-shaped trays filled with nuggets, Chick-n-Minis, and chocolate fudge brownies, perfect for sharing with loved ones. These thoughtful offers add a delicious touch to your Valentine’s Day plans. 2. where to order food for Valentine’s Day.  In the United States, you have plenty of options to order food for Valentine’s Day, whether from restaurants, meal kit services, or online retailers. Many restaurants offer delivery or dine-in options to make your celebration special. Meal kit services like Goldbelly provide curated Valentine’s Day kits featuring pasta, surf and turf, and indulgent desserts. Online retailers also deliver a variety of treats, including popular Valentine’s favorites like chocolate, brownies, pasta, and donuts. Know About: How to Make Snow Cream Recipe: A Delightful Winter Treat From luxurious dining experiences to creative at-home celebrations, there’s no shortage of options for making Valentine’s Day unforgettable. Whether you’re booking a table at a top-tier restaurant, browsing for unique Valentine’s Day food specials near me, or creating your own romantic evening with Valentine’s Day food crafts, the key is to celebrate in a way that feels meaningful to you and your partner. So, start planning now! Source link

[alexha2210]

Restaurant Decoration Ideas for Valentine's Day Setting the perfect mood goes beyond food. If you’re a restaurant owner or planning a special event, consider these Valentine's Day restaurant decoration ideas: Use red cloth napkins and oval placemats to add a pop of matching color to your table settings. Opt for round table linen in soft pink or cream shades to enhance the romantic ambiance. Decorate with candles, fairy lights, and fresh flowers to create an intimate atmosphere. When thinking about how to decorate a restaurant for Valentine's Day, remember that small touches like handwritten menus or personalized place cards can make guests feel extra special. Top Restaurants Offering Exceptional Valentine's Day Dining Experiences 1. Cafe Monarch (Scottsdale, Arizona) Known for its upscale ambiance, Cafe Monarch offers a curated Valentine's Day restaurant menu designed to impress. The multi-course dinner here is perfect for those looking to celebrate in style. Each dish is crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients, paired with an extensive wine selection to complete the experience. 2. 71Above (Los Angeles, California) Enjoy breathtaking views of the Los Angeles skyline while indulging in Valentine's Day food specials near me that include gourmet offerings like seared scallops and filet mignon. The ambiance is elegant, making it an ideal spot for romantic dinners. 3. Cesarina (San Diego, California) Cesarina’s authentic Italian flavors and charming decor set the stage for an unforgettable Valentine’s evening. The restaurant’s Valentine's Day restaurant specials often feature heart-shaped pasta dishes and decadent desserts. 4. Spencer's Restaurant (Palm Springs, California) For couples who enjoy outdoor dining, Spencer’s offers a romantic patio surrounded by lush gardens. Their Valentine's Day food deals often include special prix fixe menus, ensuring a delightful culinary experience. 5. 3 Arts Club Cafe at RH Chicago (Chicago, Illinois) Nestled in a historic building, this cafe combines fine dining with artistic architecture. Their Valentine's Day food promotions feature exquisite brunch and dinner options, perfect for couples seeking a unique setting. 6. Dominick's Steakhouse (Scottsdale, Arizona) This upscale steakhouse is a haven for meat lovers. Their Valentine's Day food bouquets, crafted with premium cuts of meat, are as creative as they are delicious. 7. La Grande Boucherie (New York City, New York) In the heart of NYC, La Grande Boucherie offers a quintessential Parisian experience. Their Valentine's Day restaurant NYC menu includes signature French dishes paired with champagne, perfect for a cozy night out. 8. C Level Lounge (San Diego, California) This waterfront restaurant offers spectacular views and creative dishes. Their Valentine's Day food board ideas include seafood platters and charcuterie boards designed for sharing. 9. Kyle G's Prime Seafood & Steaks (Jensen Beach, Florida) If you’re looking for coastal vibes, Kyle G’s is the place to be. Their Valentine's Day restaurant deals include a mix of surf-and-turf options, ensuring both land and sea lovers are satisfied. Also Read: What Are The Best Valentine's Day Food Specials  Unique and Fun Dining Options Fast Food with a Twist You might be surprised, but some fast-food chains go above and beyond on Valentine’s Day. For instance, which fast food chain offers tableside service on Valentine's Day? White Castle is known for transforming its restaurants with romantic decorations and offering tableside service to make the night extra special. Delivery and Takeout Options For those who prefer a cozy night in, consider Valentine's Day food delivery from your favorite local restaurants. Many offer curated meals or Valentine's Day food crafts, such as heart-shaped pizzas and themed desserts. These are perfect for a relaxed yet romantic evening at home. Read Related: How to Set a Table with a Runner and Placemats Creative Dining Ideas for a Memorable Evening Valentine’s Day Food BoardsCreate a luxurious spread featuring artisanal cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, and chocolates. These Valentine's Day food board ideas are easy to assemble and pair beautifully with a bottle of wine. Food BouquetsWhy settle for flowers when you can have food bouquets? Popular choices include edible arrangements made with fruits, chocolates, or even sushi. These Valentine's Day food bouquets make for a delightful and unexpected surprise. Deals and Promotions to Look Out For 1. where to get free food on Valentine’s Day?  Many restaurants offer special deals and freebies on Valentine’s Day to make the occasion even more special. For instance, Noodles & Company provides a free shareable entrée to rewards members with a qualifying purchase. Chick-fil-A joins the celebration by offering heart-shaped trays filled with nuggets, Chick-n-Minis, and chocolate fudge brownies, perfect for sharing with loved ones. These thoughtful offers add a delicious touch to your Valentine’s Day plans. 2. where to order food for Valentine’s Day.  In the United States, you have plenty of options to order food for Valentine’s Day, whether from restaurants, meal kit services, or online retailers. Many restaurants offer delivery or dine-in options to make your celebration special. Meal kit services like Goldbelly provide curated Valentine’s Day kits featuring pasta, surf and turf, and indulgent desserts. Online retailers also deliver a variety of treats, including popular Valentine’s favorites like chocolate, brownies, pasta, and donuts. Know About: How to Make Snow Cream Recipe: A Delightful Winter Treat From luxurious dining experiences to creative at-home celebrations, there’s no shortage of options for making Valentine’s Day unforgettable. Whether you’re booking a table at a top-tier restaurant, browsing for unique Valentine’s Day food specials near me, or creating your own romantic evening with Valentine’s Day food crafts, the key is to celebrate in a way that feels meaningful to you and your partner. So, start planning now! Source link

[angusstory]

Restaurant Decoration Ideas for Valentine's Day Setting the perfect mood goes beyond food. If you’re a restaurant owner or planning a special event, consider these Valentine's Day restaurant decoration ideas: Use red cloth napkins and oval placemats to add a pop of matching color to your table settings. Opt for round table linen in soft pink or cream shades to enhance the romantic ambiance. Decorate with candles, fairy lights, and fresh flowers to create an intimate atmosphere. When thinking about how to decorate a restaurant for Valentine's Day, remember that small touches like handwritten menus or personalized place cards can make guests feel extra special. Top Restaurants Offering Exceptional Valentine's Day Dining Experiences 1. Cafe Monarch (Scottsdale, Arizona) Known for its upscale ambiance, Cafe Monarch offers a curated Valentine's Day restaurant menu designed to impress. The multi-course dinner here is perfect for those looking to celebrate in style. Each dish is crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients, paired with an extensive wine selection to complete the experience. 2. 71Above (Los Angeles, California) Enjoy breathtaking views of the Los Angeles skyline while indulging in Valentine's Day food specials near me that include gourmet offerings like seared scallops and filet mignon. The ambiance is elegant, making it an ideal spot for romantic dinners. 3. Cesarina (San Diego, California) Cesarina’s authentic Italian flavors and charming decor set the stage for an unforgettable Valentine’s evening. The restaurant’s Valentine's Day restaurant specials often feature heart-shaped pasta dishes and decadent desserts. 4. Spencer's Restaurant (Palm Springs, California) For couples who enjoy outdoor dining, Spencer’s offers a romantic patio surrounded by lush gardens. Their Valentine's Day food deals often include special prix fixe menus, ensuring a delightful culinary experience. 5. 3 Arts Club Cafe at RH Chicago (Chicago, Illinois) Nestled in a historic building, this cafe combines fine dining with artistic architecture. Their Valentine's Day food promotions feature exquisite brunch and dinner options, perfect for couples seeking a unique setting. 6. Dominick's Steakhouse (Scottsdale, Arizona) This upscale steakhouse is a haven for meat lovers. Their Valentine's Day food bouquets, crafted with premium cuts of meat, are as creative as they are delicious. 7. La Grande Boucherie (New York City, New York) In the heart of NYC, La Grande Boucherie offers a quintessential Parisian experience. Their Valentine's Day restaurant NYC menu includes signature French dishes paired with champagne, perfect for a cozy night out. 8. C Level Lounge (San Diego, California) This waterfront restaurant offers spectacular views and creative dishes. Their Valentine's Day food board ideas include seafood platters and charcuterie boards designed for sharing. 9. Kyle G's Prime Seafood & Steaks (Jensen Beach, Florida) If you’re looking for coastal vibes, Kyle G’s is the place to be. Their Valentine's Day restaurant deals include a mix of surf-and-turf options, ensuring both land and sea lovers are satisfied. Also Read: What Are The Best Valentine's Day Food Specials  Unique and Fun Dining Options Fast Food with a Twist You might be surprised, but some fast-food chains go above and beyond on Valentine’s Day. For instance, which fast food chain offers tableside service on Valentine's Day? White Castle is known for transforming its restaurants with romantic decorations and offering tableside service to make the night extra special. Delivery and Takeout Options For those who prefer a cozy night in, consider Valentine's Day food delivery from your favorite local restaurants. Many offer curated meals or Valentine's Day food crafts, such as heart-shaped pizzas and themed desserts. These are perfect for a relaxed yet romantic evening at home. Read Related: How to Set a Table with a Runner and Placemats Creative Dining Ideas for a Memorable Evening Valentine’s Day Food BoardsCreate a luxurious spread featuring artisanal cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, and chocolates. These Valentine's Day food board ideas are easy to assemble and pair beautifully with a bottle of wine. Food BouquetsWhy settle for flowers when you can have food bouquets? Popular choices include edible arrangements made with fruits, chocolates, or even sushi. These Valentine's Day food bouquets make for a delightful and unexpected surprise. Deals and Promotions to Look Out For 1. where to get free food on Valentine’s Day?  Many restaurants offer special deals and freebies on Valentine’s Day to make the occasion even more special. For instance, Noodles & Company provides a free shareable entrée to rewards members with a qualifying purchase. Chick-fil-A joins the celebration by offering heart-shaped trays filled with nuggets, Chick-n-Minis, and chocolate fudge brownies, perfect for sharing with loved ones. These thoughtful offers add a delicious touch to your Valentine’s Day plans. 2. where to order food for Valentine’s Day.  In the United States, you have plenty of options to order food for Valentine’s Day, whether from restaurants, meal kit services, or online retailers. Many restaurants offer delivery or dine-in options to make your celebration special. Meal kit services like Goldbelly provide curated Valentine’s Day kits featuring pasta, surf and turf, and indulgent desserts. Online retailers also deliver a variety of treats, including popular Valentine’s favorites like chocolate, brownies, pasta, and donuts. Know About: How to Make Snow Cream Recipe: A Delightful Winter Treat From luxurious dining experiences to creative at-home celebrations, there’s no shortage of options for making Valentine’s Day unforgettable. Whether you’re booking a table at a top-tier restaurant, browsing for unique Valentine’s Day food specials near me, or creating your own romantic evening with Valentine’s Day food crafts, the key is to celebrate in a way that feels meaningful to you and your partner. So, start planning now! Source link

[tumibaba]

Restaurant Decoration Ideas for Valentine's Day Setting the perfect mood goes beyond food. If you’re a restaurant owner or planning a special event, consider these Valentine's Day restaurant decoration ideas: Use red cloth napkins and oval placemats to add a pop of matching color to your table settings. Opt for round table linen in soft pink or cream shades to enhance the romantic ambiance. Decorate with candles, fairy lights, and fresh flowers to create an intimate atmosphere. When thinking about how to decorate a restaurant for Valentine's Day, remember that small touches like handwritten menus or personalized place cards can make guests feel extra special. Top Restaurants Offering Exceptional Valentine's Day Dining Experiences 1. Cafe Monarch (Scottsdale, Arizona) Known for its upscale ambiance, Cafe Monarch offers a curated Valentine's Day restaurant menu designed to impress. The multi-course dinner here is perfect for those looking to celebrate in style. Each dish is crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients, paired with an extensive wine selection to complete the experience. 2. 71Above (Los Angeles, California) Enjoy breathtaking views of the Los Angeles skyline while indulging in Valentine's Day food specials near me that include gourmet offerings like seared scallops and filet mignon. The ambiance is elegant, making it an ideal spot for romantic dinners. 3. Cesarina (San Diego, California) Cesarina’s authentic Italian flavors and charming decor set the stage for an unforgettable Valentine’s evening. The restaurant’s Valentine's Day restaurant specials often feature heart-shaped pasta dishes and decadent desserts. 4. Spencer's Restaurant (Palm Springs, California) For couples who enjoy outdoor dining, Spencer’s offers a romantic patio surrounded by lush gardens. Their Valentine's Day food deals often include special prix fixe menus, ensuring a delightful culinary experience. 5. 3 Arts Club Cafe at RH Chicago (Chicago, Illinois) Nestled in a historic building, this cafe combines fine dining with artistic architecture. Their Valentine's Day food promotions feature exquisite brunch and dinner options, perfect for couples seeking a unique setting. 6. Dominick's Steakhouse (Scottsdale, Arizona) This upscale steakhouse is a haven for meat lovers. Their Valentine's Day food bouquets, crafted with premium cuts of meat, are as creative as they are delicious. 7. La Grande Boucherie (New York City, New York) In the heart of NYC, La Grande Boucherie offers a quintessential Parisian experience. Their Valentine's Day restaurant NYC menu includes signature French dishes paired with champagne, perfect for a cozy night out. 8. C Level Lounge (San Diego, California) This waterfront restaurant offers spectacular views and creative dishes. Their Valentine's Day food board ideas include seafood platters and charcuterie boards designed for sharing. 9. Kyle G's Prime Seafood & Steaks (Jensen Beach, Florida) If you’re looking for coastal vibes, Kyle G’s is the place to be. Their Valentine's Day restaurant deals include a mix of surf-and-turf options, ensuring both land and sea lovers are satisfied. Also Read: What Are The Best Valentine's Day Food Specials  Unique and Fun Dining Options Fast Food with a Twist You might be surprised, but some fast-food chains go above and beyond on Valentine’s Day. For instance, which fast food chain offers tableside service on Valentine's Day? White Castle is known for transforming its restaurants with romantic decorations and offering tableside service to make the night extra special. Delivery and Takeout Options For those who prefer a cozy night in, consider Valentine's Day food delivery from your favorite local restaurants. Many offer curated meals or Valentine's Day food crafts, such as heart-shaped pizzas and themed desserts. These are perfect for a relaxed yet romantic evening at home. Read Related: How to Set a Table with a Runner and Placemats Creative Dining Ideas for a Memorable Evening Valentine’s Day Food BoardsCreate a luxurious spread featuring artisanal cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, and chocolates. These Valentine's Day food board ideas are easy to assemble and pair beautifully with a bottle of wine. Food BouquetsWhy settle for flowers when you can have food bouquets? Popular choices include edible arrangements made with fruits, chocolates, or even sushi. These Valentine's Day food bouquets make for a delightful and unexpected surprise. Deals and Promotions to Look Out For 1. where to get free food on Valentine’s Day?  Many restaurants offer special deals and freebies on Valentine’s Day to make the occasion even more special. For instance, Noodles & Company provides a free shareable entrée to rewards members with a qualifying purchase. Chick-fil-A joins the celebration by offering heart-shaped trays filled with nuggets, Chick-n-Minis, and chocolate fudge brownies, perfect for sharing with loved ones. These thoughtful offers add a delicious touch to your Valentine’s Day plans. 2. where to order food for Valentine’s Day.  In the United States, you have plenty of options to order food for Valentine’s Day, whether from restaurants, meal kit services, or online retailers. Many restaurants offer delivery or dine-in options to make your celebration special. Meal kit services like Goldbelly provide curated Valentine’s Day kits featuring pasta, surf and turf, and indulgent desserts. Online retailers also deliver a variety of treats, including popular Valentine’s favorites like chocolate, brownies, pasta, and donuts. Know About: How to Make Snow Cream Recipe: A Delightful Winter Treat From luxurious dining experiences to creative at-home celebrations, there’s no shortage of options for making Valentine’s Day unforgettable. Whether you’re booking a table at a top-tier restaurant, browsing for unique Valentine’s Day food specials near me, or creating your own romantic evening with Valentine’s Day food crafts, the key is to celebrate in a way that feels meaningful to you and your partner. So, start planning now! Source link

[romaleen]

Restaurant Decoration Ideas for Valentine's Day Setting the perfect mood goes beyond food. If you’re a restaurant owner or planning a special event, consider these Valentine's Day restaurant decoration ideas: Use red cloth napkins and oval placemats to add a pop of matching color to your table settings. Opt for round table linen in soft pink or cream shades to enhance the romantic ambiance. Decorate with candles, fairy lights, and fresh flowers to create an intimate atmosphere. When thinking about how to decorate a restaurant for Valentine's Day, remember that small touches like handwritten menus or personalized place cards can make guests feel extra special. Top Restaurants Offering Exceptional Valentine's Day Dining Experiences 1. Cafe Monarch (Scottsdale, Arizona) Known for its upscale ambiance, Cafe Monarch offers a curated Valentine's Day restaurant menu designed to impress. The multi-course dinner here is perfect for those looking to celebrate in style. Each dish is crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients, paired with an extensive wine selection to complete the experience. 2. 71Above (Los Angeles, California) Enjoy breathtaking views of the Los Angeles skyline while indulging in Valentine's Day food specials near me that include gourmet offerings like seared scallops and filet mignon. The ambiance is elegant, making it an ideal spot for romantic dinners. 3. Cesarina (San Diego, California) Cesarina’s authentic Italian flavors and charming decor set the stage for an unforgettable Valentine’s evening. The restaurant’s Valentine's Day restaurant specials often feature heart-shaped pasta dishes and decadent desserts. 4. Spencer's Restaurant (Palm Springs, California) For couples who enjoy outdoor dining, Spencer’s offers a romantic patio surrounded by lush gardens. Their Valentine's Day food deals often include special prix fixe menus, ensuring a delightful culinary experience. 5. 3 Arts Club Cafe at RH Chicago (Chicago, Illinois) Nestled in a historic building, this cafe combines fine dining with artistic architecture. Their Valentine's Day food promotions feature exquisite brunch and dinner options, perfect for couples seeking a unique setting. 6. Dominick's Steakhouse (Scottsdale, Arizona) This upscale steakhouse is a haven for meat lovers. Their Valentine's Day food bouquets, crafted with premium cuts of meat, are as creative as they are delicious. 7. La Grande Boucherie (New York City, New York) In the heart of NYC, La Grande Boucherie offers a quintessential Parisian experience. Their Valentine's Day restaurant NYC menu includes signature French dishes paired with champagne, perfect for a cozy night out. 8. C Level Lounge (San Diego, California) This waterfront restaurant offers spectacular views and creative dishes. Their Valentine's Day food board ideas include seafood platters and charcuterie boards designed for sharing. 9. Kyle G's Prime Seafood & Steaks (Jensen Beach, Florida) If you’re looking for coastal vibes, Kyle G’s is the place to be. Their Valentine's Day restaurant deals include a mix of surf-and-turf options, ensuring both land and sea lovers are satisfied. Also Read: What Are The Best Valentine's Day Food Specials  Unique and Fun Dining Options Fast Food with a Twist You might be surprised, but some fast-food chains go above and beyond on Valentine’s Day. For instance, which fast food chain offers tableside service on Valentine's Day? White Castle is known for transforming its restaurants with romantic decorations and offering tableside service to make the night extra special. Delivery and Takeout Options For those who prefer a cozy night in, consider Valentine's Day food delivery from your favorite local restaurants. Many offer curated meals or Valentine's Day food crafts, such as heart-shaped pizzas and themed desserts. These are perfect for a relaxed yet romantic evening at home. Read Related: How to Set a Table with a Runner and Placemats Creative Dining Ideas for a Memorable Evening Valentine’s Day Food BoardsCreate a luxurious spread featuring artisanal cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, and chocolates. These Valentine's Day food board ideas are easy to assemble and pair beautifully with a bottle of wine. Food BouquetsWhy settle for flowers when you can have food bouquets? Popular choices include edible arrangements made with fruits, chocolates, or even sushi. These Valentine's Day food bouquets make for a delightful and unexpected surprise. Deals and Promotions to Look Out For 1. where to get free food on Valentine’s Day?  Many restaurants offer special deals and freebies on Valentine’s Day to make the occasion even more special. For instance, Noodles & Company provides a free shareable entrée to rewards members with a qualifying purchase. Chick-fil-A joins the celebration by offering heart-shaped trays filled with nuggets, Chick-n-Minis, and chocolate fudge brownies, perfect for sharing with loved ones. These thoughtful offers add a delicious touch to your Valentine’s Day plans. 2. where to order food for Valentine’s Day.  In the United States, you have plenty of options to order food for Valentine’s Day, whether from restaurants, meal kit services, or online retailers. Many restaurants offer delivery or dine-in options to make your celebration special. Meal kit services like Goldbelly provide curated Valentine’s Day kits featuring pasta, surf and turf, and indulgent desserts. Online retailers also deliver a variety of treats, including popular Valentine’s favorites like chocolate, brownies, pasta, and donuts. Know About: How to Make Snow Cream Recipe: A Delightful Winter Treat From luxurious dining experiences to creative at-home celebrations, there’s no shortage of options for making Valentine’s Day unforgettable. Whether you’re booking a table at a top-tier restaurant, browsing for unique Valentine’s Day food specials near me, or creating your own romantic evening with Valentine’s Day food crafts, the key is to celebrate in a way that feels meaningful to you and your partner. So, start planning now! Source link

[monaleen101]

Restaurant Decoration Ideas for Valentine's Day Setting the perfect mood goes beyond food. If you’re a restaurant owner or planning a special event, consider these Valentine's Day restaurant decoration ideas: Use red cloth napkins and oval placemats to add a pop of matching color to your table settings. Opt for round table linen in soft pink or cream shades to enhance the romantic ambiance. Decorate with candles, fairy lights, and fresh flowers to create an intimate atmosphere. When thinking about how to decorate a restaurant for Valentine's Day, remember that small touches like handwritten menus or personalized place cards can make guests feel extra special. Top Restaurants Offering Exceptional Valentine's Day Dining Experiences 1. Cafe Monarch (Scottsdale, Arizona) Known for its upscale ambiance, Cafe Monarch offers a curated Valentine's Day restaurant menu designed to impress. The multi-course dinner here is perfect for those looking to celebrate in style. Each dish is crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients, paired with an extensive wine selection to complete the experience. 2. 71Above (Los Angeles, California) Enjoy breathtaking views of the Los Angeles skyline while indulging in Valentine's Day food specials near me that include gourmet offerings like seared scallops and filet mignon. The ambiance is elegant, making it an ideal spot for romantic dinners. 3. Cesarina (San Diego, California) Cesarina’s authentic Italian flavors and charming decor set the stage for an unforgettable Valentine’s evening. The restaurant’s Valentine's Day restaurant specials often feature heart-shaped pasta dishes and decadent desserts. 4. Spencer's Restaurant (Palm Springs, California) For couples who enjoy outdoor dining, Spencer’s offers a romantic patio surrounded by lush gardens. Their Valentine's Day food deals often include special prix fixe menus, ensuring a delightful culinary experience. 5. 3 Arts Club Cafe at RH Chicago (Chicago, Illinois) Nestled in a historic building, this cafe combines fine dining with artistic architecture. Their Valentine's Day food promotions feature exquisite brunch and dinner options, perfect for couples seeking a unique setting. 6. Dominick's Steakhouse (Scottsdale, Arizona) This upscale steakhouse is a haven for meat lovers. Their Valentine's Day food bouquets, crafted with premium cuts of meat, are as creative as they are delicious. 7. La Grande Boucherie (New York City, New York) In the heart of NYC, La Grande Boucherie offers a quintessential Parisian experience. Their Valentine's Day restaurant NYC menu includes signature French dishes paired with champagne, perfect for a cozy night out. 8. C Level Lounge (San Diego, California) This waterfront restaurant offers spectacular views and creative dishes. Their Valentine's Day food board ideas include seafood platters and charcuterie boards designed for sharing. 9. Kyle G's Prime Seafood & Steaks (Jensen Beach, Florida) If you’re looking for coastal vibes, Kyle G’s is the place to be. Their Valentine's Day restaurant deals include a mix of surf-and-turf options, ensuring both land and sea lovers are satisfied. Also Read: What Are The Best Valentine's Day Food Specials  Unique and Fun Dining Options Fast Food with a Twist You might be surprised, but some fast-food chains go above and beyond on Valentine’s Day. For instance, which fast food chain offers tableside service on Valentine's Day? White Castle is known for transforming its restaurants with romantic decorations and offering tableside service to make the night extra special. Delivery and Takeout Options For those who prefer a cozy night in, consider Valentine's Day food delivery from your favorite local restaurants. Many offer curated meals or Valentine's Day food crafts, such as heart-shaped pizzas and themed desserts. These are perfect for a relaxed yet romantic evening at home. Read Related: How to Set a Table with a Runner and Placemats Creative Dining Ideas for a Memorable Evening Valentine’s Day Food BoardsCreate a luxurious spread featuring artisanal cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, and chocolates. These Valentine's Day food board ideas are easy to assemble and pair beautifully with a bottle of wine. Food BouquetsWhy settle for flowers when you can have food bouquets? Popular choices include edible arrangements made with fruits, chocolates, or even sushi. These Valentine's Day food bouquets make for a delightful and unexpected surprise. Deals and Promotions to Look Out For 1. where to get free food on Valentine’s Day?  Many restaurants offer special deals and freebies on Valentine’s Day to make the occasion even more special. For instance, Noodles & Company provides a free shareable entrée to rewards members with a qualifying purchase. Chick-fil-A joins the celebration by offering heart-shaped trays filled with nuggets, Chick-n-Minis, and chocolate fudge brownies, perfect for sharing with loved ones. These thoughtful offers add a delicious touch to your Valentine’s Day plans. 2. where to order food for Valentine’s Day.  In the United States, you have plenty of options to order food for Valentine’s Day, whether from restaurants, meal kit services, or online retailers. Many restaurants offer delivery or dine-in options to make your celebration special. Meal kit services like Goldbelly provide curated Valentine’s Day kits featuring pasta, surf and turf, and indulgent desserts. Online retailers also deliver a variety of treats, including popular Valentine’s favorites like chocolate, brownies, pasta, and donuts. Know About: How to Make Snow Cream Recipe: A Delightful Winter Treat From luxurious dining experiences to creative at-home celebrations, there’s no shortage of options for making Valentine’s Day unforgettable. Whether you’re booking a table at a top-tier restaurant, browsing for unique Valentine’s Day food specials near me, or creating your own romantic evening with Valentine’s Day food crafts, the key is to celebrate in a way that feels meaningful to you and your partner. So, start planning now! Source link

[iamownerofme]

Restaurant Decoration Ideas for Valentine's Day Setting the perfect mood goes beyond food. If you’re a restaurant owner or planning a special event, consider these Valentine's Day restaurant decoration ideas: Use red cloth napkins and oval placemats to add a pop of matching color to your table settings. Opt for round table linen in soft pink or cream shades to enhance the romantic ambiance. Decorate with candles, fairy lights, and fresh flowers to create an intimate atmosphere. When thinking about how to decorate a restaurant for Valentine's Day, remember that small touches like handwritten menus or personalized place cards can make guests feel extra special. Top Restaurants Offering Exceptional Valentine's Day Dining Experiences 1. Cafe Monarch (Scottsdale, Arizona) Known for its upscale ambiance, Cafe Monarch offers a curated Valentine's Day restaurant menu designed to impress. The multi-course dinner here is perfect for those looking to celebrate in style. Each dish is crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients, paired with an extensive wine selection to complete the experience. 2. 71Above (Los Angeles, California) Enjoy breathtaking views of the Los Angeles skyline while indulging in Valentine's Day food specials near me that include gourmet offerings like seared scallops and filet mignon. The ambiance is elegant, making it an ideal spot for romantic dinners. 3. Cesarina (San Diego, California) Cesarina’s authentic Italian flavors and charming decor set the stage for an unforgettable Valentine’s evening. The restaurant’s Valentine's Day restaurant specials often feature heart-shaped pasta dishes and decadent desserts. 4. Spencer's Restaurant (Palm Springs, California) For couples who enjoy outdoor dining, Spencer’s offers a romantic patio surrounded by lush gardens. Their Valentine's Day food deals often include special prix fixe menus, ensuring a delightful culinary experience. 5. 3 Arts Club Cafe at RH Chicago (Chicago, Illinois) Nestled in a historic building, this cafe combines fine dining with artistic architecture. Their Valentine's Day food promotions feature exquisite brunch and dinner options, perfect for couples seeking a unique setting. 6. Dominick's Steakhouse (Scottsdale, Arizona) This upscale steakhouse is a haven for meat lovers. Their Valentine's Day food bouquets, crafted with premium cuts of meat, are as creative as they are delicious. 7. La Grande Boucherie (New York City, New York) In the heart of NYC, La Grande Boucherie offers a quintessential Parisian experience. Their Valentine's Day restaurant NYC menu includes signature French dishes paired with champagne, perfect for a cozy night out. 8. C Level Lounge (San Diego, California) This waterfront restaurant offers spectacular views and creative dishes. Their Valentine's Day food board ideas include seafood platters and charcuterie boards designed for sharing. 9. Kyle G's Prime Seafood & Steaks (Jensen Beach, Florida) If you’re looking for coastal vibes, Kyle G’s is the place to be. Their Valentine's Day restaurant deals include a mix of surf-and-turf options, ensuring both land and sea lovers are satisfied. Also Read: What Are The Best Valentine's Day Food Specials  Unique and Fun Dining Options Fast Food with a Twist You might be surprised, but some fast-food chains go above and beyond on Valentine’s Day. For instance, which fast food chain offers tableside service on Valentine's Day? White Castle is known for transforming its restaurants with romantic decorations and offering tableside service to make the night extra special. Delivery and Takeout Options For those who prefer a cozy night in, consider Valentine's Day food delivery from your favorite local restaurants. Many offer curated meals or Valentine's Day food crafts, such as heart-shaped pizzas and themed desserts. These are perfect for a relaxed yet romantic evening at home. Read Related: How to Set a Table with a Runner and Placemats Creative Dining Ideas for a Memorable Evening Valentine’s Day Food BoardsCreate a luxurious spread featuring artisanal cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, and chocolates. These Valentine's Day food board ideas are easy to assemble and pair beautifully with a bottle of wine. Food BouquetsWhy settle for flowers when you can have food bouquets? Popular choices include edible arrangements made with fruits, chocolates, or even sushi. These Valentine's Day food bouquets make for a delightful and unexpected surprise. Deals and Promotions to Look Out For 1. where to get free food on Valentine’s Day?  Many restaurants offer special deals and freebies on Valentine’s Day to make the occasion even more special. For instance, Noodles & Company provides a free shareable entrée to rewards members with a qualifying purchase. Chick-fil-A joins the celebration by offering heart-shaped trays filled with nuggets, Chick-n-Minis, and chocolate fudge brownies, perfect for sharing with loved ones. These thoughtful offers add a delicious touch to your Valentine’s Day plans. 2. where to order food for Valentine’s Day.  In the United States, you have plenty of options to order food for Valentine’s Day, whether from restaurants, meal kit services, or online retailers. Many restaurants offer delivery or dine-in options to make your celebration special. Meal kit services like Goldbelly provide curated Valentine’s Day kits featuring pasta, surf and turf, and indulgent desserts. Online retailers also deliver a variety of treats, including popular Valentine’s favorites like chocolate, brownies, pasta, and donuts. Know About: How to Make Snow Cream Recipe: A Delightful Winter Treat From luxurious dining experiences to creative at-home celebrations, there’s no shortage of options for making Valentine’s Day unforgettable. Whether you’re booking a table at a top-tier restaurant, browsing for unique Valentine’s Day food specials near me, or creating your own romantic evening with Valentine’s Day food crafts, the key is to celebrate in a way that feels meaningful to you and your partner. So, start planning now! Source link

[shelyold]

Restaurant Decoration Ideas for Valentine's Day Setting the perfect mood goes beyond food. If you’re a restaurant owner or planning a special event, consider these Valentine's Day restaurant decoration ideas: Use red cloth napkins and oval placemats to add a pop of matching color to your table settings. Opt for round table linen in soft pink or cream shades to enhance the romantic ambiance. Decorate with candles, fairy lights, and fresh flowers to create an intimate atmosphere. When thinking about how to decorate a restaurant for Valentine's Day, remember that small touches like handwritten menus or personalized place cards can make guests feel extra special. Top Restaurants Offering Exceptional Valentine's Day Dining Experiences 1. Cafe Monarch (Scottsdale, Arizona) Known for its upscale ambiance, Cafe Monarch offers a curated Valentine's Day restaurant menu designed to impress. The multi-course dinner here is perfect for those looking to celebrate in style. Each dish is crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients, paired with an extensive wine selection to complete the experience. 2. 71Above (Los Angeles, California) Enjoy breathtaking views of the Los Angeles skyline while indulging in Valentine's Day food specials near me that include gourmet offerings like seared scallops and filet mignon. The ambiance is elegant, making it an ideal spot for romantic dinners. 3. Cesarina (San Diego, California) Cesarina’s authentic Italian flavors and charming decor set the stage for an unforgettable Valentine’s evening. The restaurant’s Valentine's Day restaurant specials often feature heart-shaped pasta dishes and decadent desserts. 4. Spencer's Restaurant (Palm Springs, California) For couples who enjoy outdoor dining, Spencer’s offers a romantic patio surrounded by lush gardens. Their Valentine's Day food deals often include special prix fixe menus, ensuring a delightful culinary experience. 5. 3 Arts Club Cafe at RH Chicago (Chicago, Illinois) Nestled in a historic building, this cafe combines fine dining with artistic architecture. Their Valentine's Day food promotions feature exquisite brunch and dinner options, perfect for couples seeking a unique setting. 6. Dominick's Steakhouse (Scottsdale, Arizona) This upscale steakhouse is a haven for meat lovers. Their Valentine's Day food bouquets, crafted with premium cuts of meat, are as creative as they are delicious. 7. La Grande Boucherie (New York City, New York) In the heart of NYC, La Grande Boucherie offers a quintessential Parisian experience. Their Valentine's Day restaurant NYC menu includes signature French dishes paired with champagne, perfect for a cozy night out. 8. C Level Lounge (San Diego, California) This waterfront restaurant offers spectacular views and creative dishes. Their Valentine's Day food board ideas include seafood platters and charcuterie boards designed for sharing. 9. Kyle G's Prime Seafood & Steaks (Jensen Beach, Florida) If you’re looking for coastal vibes, Kyle G’s is the place to be. Their Valentine's Day restaurant deals include a mix of surf-and-turf options, ensuring both land and sea lovers are satisfied. Also Read: What Are The Best Valentine's Day Food Specials  Unique and Fun Dining Options Fast Food with a Twist You might be surprised, but some fast-food chains go above and beyond on Valentine’s Day. For instance, which fast food chain offers tableside service on Valentine's Day? White Castle is known for transforming its restaurants with romantic decorations and offering tableside service to make the night extra special. Delivery and Takeout Options For those who prefer a cozy night in, consider Valentine's Day food delivery from your favorite local restaurants. Many offer curated meals or Valentine's Day food crafts, such as heart-shaped pizzas and themed desserts. These are perfect for a relaxed yet romantic evening at home. Read Related: How to Set a Table with a Runner and Placemats Creative Dining Ideas for a Memorable Evening Valentine’s Day Food BoardsCreate a luxurious spread featuring artisanal cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, and chocolates. These Valentine's Day food board ideas are easy to assemble and pair beautifully with a bottle of wine. Food BouquetsWhy settle for flowers when you can have food bouquets? Popular choices include edible arrangements made with fruits, chocolates, or even sushi. These Valentine's Day food bouquets make for a delightful and unexpected surprise. Deals and Promotions to Look Out For 1. where to get free food on Valentine’s Day?  Many restaurants offer special deals and freebies on Valentine’s Day to make the occasion even more special. For instance, Noodles & Company provides a free shareable entrée to rewards members with a qualifying purchase. Chick-fil-A joins the celebration by offering heart-shaped trays filled with nuggets, Chick-n-Minis, and chocolate fudge brownies, perfect for sharing with loved ones. These thoughtful offers add a delicious touch to your Valentine’s Day plans. 2. where to order food for Valentine’s Day.  In the United States, you have plenty of options to order food for Valentine’s Day, whether from restaurants, meal kit services, or online retailers. Many restaurants offer delivery or dine-in options to make your celebration special. Meal kit services like Goldbelly provide curated Valentine’s Day kits featuring pasta, surf and turf, and indulgent desserts. Online retailers also deliver a variety of treats, including popular Valentine’s favorites like chocolate, brownies, pasta, and donuts. Know About: How to Make Snow Cream Recipe: A Delightful Winter Treat From luxurious dining experiences to creative at-home celebrations, there’s no shortage of options for making Valentine’s Day unforgettable. Whether you’re booking a table at a top-tier restaurant, browsing for unique Valentine’s Day food specials near me, or creating your own romantic evening with Valentine’s Day food crafts, the key is to celebrate in a way that feels meaningful to you and your partner. So, start planning now! Source link

[iammeandmy]

Restaurant Decoration Ideas for Valentine's Day Setting the perfect mood goes beyond food. If you’re a restaurant owner or planning a special event, consider these Valentine's Day restaurant decoration ideas: Use red cloth napkins and oval placemats to add a pop of matching color to your table settings. Opt for round table linen in soft pink or cream shades to enhance the romantic ambiance. Decorate with candles, fairy lights, and fresh flowers to create an intimate atmosphere. When thinking about how to decorate a restaurant for Valentine's Day, remember that small touches like handwritten menus or personalized place cards can make guests feel extra special. Top Restaurants Offering Exceptional Valentine's Day Dining Experiences 1. Cafe Monarch (Scottsdale, Arizona) Known for its upscale ambiance, Cafe Monarch offers a curated Valentine's Day restaurant menu designed to impress. The multi-course dinner here is perfect for those looking to celebrate in style. Each dish is crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients, paired with an extensive wine selection to complete the experience. 2. 71Above (Los Angeles, California) Enjoy breathtaking views of the Los Angeles skyline while indulging in Valentine's Day food specials near me that include gourmet offerings like seared scallops and filet mignon. The ambiance is elegant, making it an ideal spot for romantic dinners. 3. Cesarina (San Diego, California) Cesarina’s authentic Italian flavors and charming decor set the stage for an unforgettable Valentine’s evening. The restaurant’s Valentine's Day restaurant specials often feature heart-shaped pasta dishes and decadent desserts. 4. Spencer's Restaurant (Palm Springs, California) For couples who enjoy outdoor dining, Spencer’s offers a romantic patio surrounded by lush gardens. Their Valentine's Day food deals often include special prix fixe menus, ensuring a delightful culinary experience. 5. 3 Arts Club Cafe at RH Chicago (Chicago, Illinois) Nestled in a historic building, this cafe combines fine dining with artistic architecture. Their Valentine's Day food promotions feature exquisite brunch and dinner options, perfect for couples seeking a unique setting. 6. Dominick's Steakhouse (Scottsdale, Arizona) This upscale steakhouse is a haven for meat lovers. Their Valentine's Day food bouquets, crafted with premium cuts of meat, are as creative as they are delicious. 7. La Grande Boucherie (New York City, New York) In the heart of NYC, La Grande Boucherie offers a quintessential Parisian experience. Their Valentine's Day restaurant NYC menu includes signature French dishes paired with champagne, perfect for a cozy night out. 8. C Level Lounge (San Diego, California) This waterfront restaurant offers spectacular views and creative dishes. Their Valentine's Day food board ideas include seafood platters and charcuterie boards designed for sharing. 9. Kyle G's Prime Seafood & Steaks (Jensen Beach, Florida) If you’re looking for coastal vibes, Kyle G’s is the place to be. Their Valentine's Day restaurant deals include a mix of surf-and-turf options, ensuring both land and sea lovers are satisfied. Also Read: What Are The Best Valentine's Day Food Specials  Unique and Fun Dining Options Fast Food with a Twist You might be surprised, but some fast-food chains go above and beyond on Valentine’s Day. For instance, which fast food chain offers tableside service on Valentine's Day? White Castle is known for transforming its restaurants with romantic decorations and offering tableside service to make the night extra special. Delivery and Takeout Options For those who prefer a cozy night in, consider Valentine's Day food delivery from your favorite local restaurants. Many offer curated meals or Valentine's Day food crafts, such as heart-shaped pizzas and themed desserts. These are perfect for a relaxed yet romantic evening at home. Read Related: How to Set a Table with a Runner and Placemats Creative Dining Ideas for a Memorable Evening Valentine’s Day Food BoardsCreate a luxurious spread featuring artisanal cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, and chocolates. These Valentine's Day food board ideas are easy to assemble and pair beautifully with a bottle of wine. Food BouquetsWhy settle for flowers when you can have food bouquets? Popular choices include edible arrangements made with fruits, chocolates, or even sushi. These Valentine's Day food bouquets make for a delightful and unexpected surprise. Deals and Promotions to Look Out For 1. where to get free food on Valentine’s Day?  Many restaurants offer special deals and freebies on Valentine’s Day to make the occasion even more special. For instance, Noodles & Company provides a free shareable entrée to rewards members with a qualifying purchase. Chick-fil-A joins the celebration by offering heart-shaped trays filled with nuggets, Chick-n-Minis, and chocolate fudge brownies, perfect for sharing with loved ones. These thoughtful offers add a delicious touch to your Valentine’s Day plans. 2. where to order food for Valentine’s Day.  In the United States, you have plenty of options to order food for Valentine’s Day, whether from restaurants, meal kit services, or online retailers. Many restaurants offer delivery or dine-in options to make your celebration special. Meal kit services like Goldbelly provide curated Valentine’s Day kits featuring pasta, surf and turf, and indulgent desserts. Online retailers also deliver a variety of treats, including popular Valentine’s favorites like chocolate, brownies, pasta, and donuts. Know About: How to Make Snow Cream Recipe: A Delightful Winter Treat From luxurious dining experiences to creative at-home celebrations, there’s no shortage of options for making Valentine’s Day unforgettable. Whether you’re booking a table at a top-tier restaurant, browsing for unique Valentine’s Day food specials near me, or creating your own romantic evening with Valentine’s Day food crafts, the key is to celebrate in a way that feels meaningful to you and your partner. So, start planning now! Source link

[januishstory]

Restaurant Decoration Ideas for Valentine's Day Setting the perfect mood goes beyond food. If you’re a restaurant owner or planning a special event, consider these Valentine's Day restaurant decoration ideas: Use red cloth napkins and oval placemats to add a pop of matching color to your table settings. Opt for round table linen in soft pink or cream shades to enhance the romantic ambiance. Decorate with candles, fairy lights, and fresh flowers to create an intimate atmosphere. When thinking about how to decorate a restaurant for Valentine's Day, remember that small touches like handwritten menus or personalized place cards can make guests feel extra special. Top Restaurants Offering Exceptional Valentine's Day Dining Experiences 1. Cafe Monarch (Scottsdale, Arizona) Known for its upscale ambiance, Cafe Monarch offers a curated Valentine's Day restaurant menu designed to impress. The multi-course dinner here is perfect for those looking to celebrate in style. Each dish is crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients, paired with an extensive wine selection to complete the experience. 2. 71Above (Los Angeles, California) Enjoy breathtaking views of the Los Angeles skyline while indulging in Valentine's Day food specials near me that include gourmet offerings like seared scallops and filet mignon. The ambiance is elegant, making it an ideal spot for romantic dinners. 3. Cesarina (San Diego, California) Cesarina’s authentic Italian flavors and charming decor set the stage for an unforgettable Valentine’s evening. The restaurant’s Valentine's Day restaurant specials often feature heart-shaped pasta dishes and decadent desserts. 4. Spencer's Restaurant (Palm Springs, California) For couples who enjoy outdoor dining, Spencer’s offers a romantic patio surrounded by lush gardens. Their Valentine's Day food deals often include special prix fixe menus, ensuring a delightful culinary experience. 5. 3 Arts Club Cafe at RH Chicago (Chicago, Illinois) Nestled in a historic building, this cafe combines fine dining with artistic architecture. Their Valentine's Day food promotions feature exquisite brunch and dinner options, perfect for couples seeking a unique setting. 6. Dominick's Steakhouse (Scottsdale, Arizona) This upscale steakhouse is a haven for meat lovers. Their Valentine's Day food bouquets, crafted with premium cuts of meat, are as creative as they are delicious. 7. La Grande Boucherie (New York City, New York) In the heart of NYC, La Grande Boucherie offers a quintessential Parisian experience. Their Valentine's Day restaurant NYC menu includes signature French dishes paired with champagne, perfect for a cozy night out. 8. C Level Lounge (San Diego, California) This waterfront restaurant offers spectacular views and creative dishes. Their Valentine's Day food board ideas include seafood platters and charcuterie boards designed for sharing. 9. Kyle G's Prime Seafood & Steaks (Jensen Beach, Florida) If you’re looking for coastal vibes, Kyle G’s is the place to be. Their Valentine's Day restaurant deals include a mix of surf-and-turf options, ensuring both land and sea lovers are satisfied. Also Read: What Are The Best Valentine's Day Food Specials  Unique and Fun Dining Options Fast Food with a Twist You might be surprised, but some fast-food chains go above and beyond on Valentine’s Day. For instance, which fast food chain offers tableside service on Valentine's Day? White Castle is known for transforming its restaurants with romantic decorations and offering tableside service to make the night extra special. Delivery and Takeout Options For those who prefer a cozy night in, consider Valentine's Day food delivery from your favorite local restaurants. Many offer curated meals or Valentine's Day food crafts, such as heart-shaped pizzas and themed desserts. These are perfect for a relaxed yet romantic evening at home. Read Related: How to Set a Table with a Runner and Placemats Creative Dining Ideas for a Memorable Evening Valentine’s Day Food BoardsCreate a luxurious spread featuring artisanal cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, and chocolates. These Valentine's Day food board ideas are easy to assemble and pair beautifully with a bottle of wine. Food BouquetsWhy settle for flowers when you can have food bouquets? Popular choices include edible arrangements made with fruits, chocolates, or even sushi. These Valentine's Day food bouquets make for a delightful and unexpected surprise. Deals and Promotions to Look Out For 1. where to get free food on Valentine’s Day?  Many restaurants offer special deals and freebies on Valentine’s Day to make the occasion even more special. For instance, Noodles & Company provides a free shareable entrée to rewards members with a qualifying purchase. Chick-fil-A joins the celebration by offering heart-shaped trays filled with nuggets, Chick-n-Minis, and chocolate fudge brownies, perfect for sharing with loved ones. These thoughtful offers add a delicious touch to your Valentine’s Day plans. 2. where to order food for Valentine’s Day.  In the United States, you have plenty of options to order food for Valentine’s Day, whether from restaurants, meal kit services, or online retailers. Many restaurants offer delivery or dine-in options to make your celebration special. Meal kit services like Goldbelly provide curated Valentine’s Day kits featuring pasta, surf and turf, and indulgent desserts. Online retailers also deliver a variety of treats, including popular Valentine’s favorites like chocolate, brownies, pasta, and donuts. Know About: How to Make Snow Cream Recipe: A Delightful Winter Treat From luxurious dining experiences to creative at-home celebrations, there’s no shortage of options for making Valentine’s Day unforgettable. Whether you’re booking a table at a top-tier restaurant, browsing for unique Valentine’s Day food specials near me, or creating your own romantic evening with Valentine’s Day food crafts, the key is to celebrate in a way that feels meaningful to you and your partner. So, start planning now! Source link

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Reap the benefits of palm reading in Scottsdale

Author Peter Ball Published December 18, 2019 Word count 497 Palmistry’s craft is old and has been around the globe for millennia. The docile palm reader in Scottsdale can get a glimpse into the future and the ability of the individual by reading a simple palm. It can expose so much reality of things that are taking place at the moment and knowledge about the unknown future, or a simple part…