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I’m in the lobby now. We’re coming up.
I quickly type up a response back to her.
Ambros
Perfect. See you soon.
I already sent her my room number earlier today after I checked in.
Warmth spreads through my chest at the thought of seeing her again. I was a bit worried the other night she’d be turned off by the fact I got her number, but luckily that wasn’t the case. If anything, I think she appreciates how I go after what I want.
A couple of minutes pass, and there’s a knock at my door. I rise from the couch and head to the doorway. I don’t bother to look through the peephole, so I open the door.
Xava looks as radiant as ever.
Her deep hazelnut hair is in long, soft curls falling to her mid-back. She’s wearing a soft baby pink dress that stops a few inches above her knees. It molds to her body like a second skin yet isn’t too revealing. The arms are made up of a see-through material, and the wrists pinch in, almost as if they’re form-fitting. A portion of her dress cinches along the stomach into a bow, which only accentuates her natural curves. She knew this dress would compliment her body type. I don’t have one doubt about it.
“Ambros, it’s so great to see you.” Xava wastes no time stepping toward me, and I pull her into my embrace.
She wraps her arms around me like we’re long-lost lovers who have gone weeks without seeing each other. I hold onto her for as long as I can before I notice her driver, who I’m certain is more than likely security, giving me a dirty look.
I’m not buying the fact that she’s just a cousin of Ruslan’s. Xava seems much more important, and I’m sure, at some point, I’ll start to figure it out.
“Likewise. How have you been?” Xava and I have been texting back and forth since I got her number, but it’s been small talk. Tonight, we’ll really have the time to catch up.
“Good, actually. Things have been busy, but that’s nothing new. What about you? How are things?” Xava smiles softly, and it’s one thing that makes me feel great. It’s not like she’s being fake. Every word she utters feels like it’s authentic and genuine.
“They’re good. Same as you, busy. Want to get going so we can go grab some food?”
“Yeah, that sounds great.” I could have just met her downstairs in the lobby instead of her coming all the way up here. It makes me feel like I’m the woman, and she’s courting me. I have an internal chuckle about it, and we leave my suite.
We leave the hotel and walk toward Xava’s car, which is a blacked-out SUV. I can immediately tell it’s bulletproof, and again, I have this gut feeling that she’s far more important than she makes herself out to be. What don’t I know? My curiosity is going to kill me if I don’t find out soon.
Within twenty minutes, we’re on the other side of the city, and Xava’s driver pulls up to the restaurant. He puts the SUV in park, and when he does, I open the door and hold my hand out for Xava. She graciously accepts it and slides out the same side as me.
Her driver narrows his eyes on me. He thinks I’m trouble, and I can be… but I’m not going to hurt her. “Is your driver joining us, too?” I cock a brow as I ask Xava.
“No, not unless you want him to.” Xava’s giggle is carefree.
I shake my head. “I’ll pass. Shall we head inside then?”
“Yes, let’s do that.” I shut the door to the car, and we head inside.
We greet the hostess, who takes us back to a small, secluded area of the restaurant. This place is unlike any other restaurant I’ve been to before. There’s barely any lighting in here at all. It’s extremely dark, and the only light comes from small, delicate bulbs along the walls. There’s one exception in the center of the room where there’s a chandelier, but it’s very dim lighting as well.
Xava and I take a seat. I sit across from her, and there’s a sole lit candle in the center between us. “This place is very unique.”
“It is. It’s… different. Thank you for agreeing to come here with me. I haven’t had the opportunity, and I thought it would be fun to experience this together.” Even though I can hardly see Xava, her pearly white teeth are bright enough to be noticed in the darkest of rooms.
“I’m sure it will be. What made you want to come here?” I’m very curious. This place must have some sort of theme behind it or a unique experience that patrons crave.
“So, it’s pretty cool. The reason it’s so dark here is that they want customers to fully experience the food we’re enjoying. The concept is that in almost complete darkness, it helps refresh our senses, and I’m looking forward to seeing if there’s any truth behind that theory.”
“Ah, so this is an experiment of sorts?” I cock my brows.
“Pretty much, yeah.”
The waiter comes up and asks us for our drink order. Xava and I both get the house recommendations and end up choosing the same thing for our appetizers, entrées, and dessert items. It seems like we both want to have a great experience here, and I’m excited to be sitting across from her.
