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The smarter choice was to walk away now, before we burned each other to the ground. But I couldn't make myself let her go. The rapturous high she gave me was too addictive.
"You're playing with fire, sneaking out to see me," I warned, even as I pulled her tighter to me. "If anyone found out..."
"I know. But it's too late - I'm already on fire for you, Leonardo." Natalia's eyes blazed with reckless longing to match my own.
I captured her lips once more, pouring all my hunger and awe into the kiss. The rest of the room evaporated until Natalia was my entire universe. We would burn and blaze together, propriety and reason mere ashes beneath our passion.
Unable to resist, I flagged down a server and ordered two glasses of fine scotch. If Natalia was willing to throw caution to the windand defy all rules to be with me tonight, the least I could do was treat her well.
We settled into a cozy booth tucked away in the back, the plush leather seating drawing us close together. I slid one arm around Natalia's shoulders, reveling in the feel of her nestled against my side.
"To finding each other," I toasted, clinking my glass to hers. Natalia smiled and took a sip, her eyes bright with exhilaration over our secret rendezvous.
We talked and laughed easily, exchanging stories from our vastly different worlds. But our differences only intrigued me more. Natalia was unlike any woman I'd ever met - clever, passionate, yet innocent in some ways. I found myself utterly charmed.
Refilling our glasses, I couldn't resist letting my fingers trail slowly along her arm, delighting in the blush that rose to her cheeks. The attraction simmering between us was undeniable.
"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" I murmured. Natalia bit her lip alluringly.
"Even after I tackled you in front of everyone?" she replied with a laugh. Her playful spirit enchanted me.
I brushed a strand of hair from her face, my thumb grazing her soft skin. "I happen to enjoy having a beautiful woman fall into my arms," I teased gallantly.
Natalia's eyes smoldered. We both knew this fiery flirtation could blaze out of control at any moment. But heeding reason was impossible now. I was too captivated by her, consequences be damned.
As we sat together, a bit of Natalia's lightheartedness faded. She glanced down, idly tracing patterns on the table.
"What is it?" I asked, gently tilting her chin back up to meet my eyes.
She hesitated. "It's just...I know you think I'm reckless for sneaking out. But Leonardo, you don't understand how stifling it is being trapped in that mansion all the time, guarded 24/7."
I listened intently as she continued, voicing frustrations she likely rarely shared.
"I love my family, but I'm not a fragile doll to be put on display and always protected. I crave adventure, excitement. Coming here tonight, being with you...it makes me feel alive."
Her words resonated through me. I understood all too well the thrilling lure of freedom, of breaking rules meant to cage you in.
I took Natalia's hands firmly in mine. "You are far from just a pretty doll. You have a fire in your soul that blazes brighter than anyone I've ever met." I brought her knuckles to my lips in a fervent kiss. "Never let anyone extinguish that flame."
Natalia's eyes glistened. In them I saw reflected the same yearning for escape, to live unfettered by others' expectations.
I could see the weight of responsibilities and rules pressing down on Natalia's delicate shoulders. Tonight was likely her first taste of true freedom. I refused to let anxieties darken her spirits.
"Forget all that for now," I urged. "No talk of family or expectations. It's just you and me tonight doing exactly as we please."
A smile bloomed on Natalia's face. "That sounds perfect."
I signaled the server for another round. If we only had stolen moments together, I intended to make them as pleasurable for Natalia as possible.
The whiskey loosened us both, banishing inhibitions. Soon we were laughing freely, trading stories and leaning into each other tipsily.
"Tell me more about your globe-trotting adventures," Natalia requested, chin propped on her hand. Her emerald eyes shone with vicarious excitement.
I regaled her with tales of my travels to Morocco, Vienna, Prague - dangerously won freedoms I now realized had always felt hollow before meeting her. With Natalia, even a hidden corner of this dingy bar felt more thrilling than any exotic location.
Her infectious smile was contagious. I loved how it made me feel.
The hours flew by in a haze of laughter and stolen glances. Natalia's cheeks were endearingly flushed from the whiskey, her smiles coming more frequently.
