Page 31 of Parentmoon

“We’re having steak tapas tonight, so the wine selection is red.” He lifts a bottle of malbec and I smile at the choice. “I wasn’t able to vary the menu too much from what they are serving in the main dining room.”

“I love steak and malbec.”

“I remember.”

My brows crease. When did we share steak and red wine?

Before I can ask, he adds, “Let’s sit outside.” He pours me a glass of wine, eyes averted as he fills one for himself.

Dallas can come on a little strong but softens his tone with playfulness. Slaying dragons. Storming castles. Then there are these strange moments, like mentioning cinnamon on French toast. Or red wine and steak that leave me puzzled. The comments come like bullet points off a list.

As Dallas waits for me by the sliding glass door, I wipe away all my thoughts, deciding to just linger in the tropical setting and the romantic mystique of this place.

I follow him onto the patio and lower myself into a wooden beach chair. My descent isn’t graceful, and I giggle as I land with a thud. Thankfully, I don’t spill my wine. “These chairs are so low. I never anticipate how shallow they are.”

Dallas sets the bottle of wine in the space between our chairs. He pulls his phone from his pocket and soft island music suddenly surrounds us. Then he lowers to the seat near mine.

“You’re really good at this,” I tease.

“At what?” he sips his wine.

“This place is already seductive but you’re adding to the aura. Flowers. Wine. Music. A private dinner.” I nod at the table awaiting our meal. “Women must go crazy when you bring them here.”

Dallas lowers his glass and sets it on the opposite side of him. His gaze returns to me. “I told you this is my sanctuary. I don’t bring anyone here.”

“What?” I choke on a sip of my wine, staring at him over the rim of my glass.

Dallas focuses on the ocean, choppy and rough in the early evening. The sea grass has piled up despite the best efforts of the grounds’ crew earlier in the day.

“I’ve never brought anyone else here with me.” He turns to me, shifting his body to drape his arm casually over the back of his seat. “You’re the first.”

“Oh goodness, under duress, no less.” I attempt another laugh, but humor doesn’t fill my voice.

Dallas’s casual expression hardens. He gazes down at his knees, legs spread wide in the low seat. “It hasn’t been that bad, right?”

“Not that bad at all.” Timidly, I smile.

Our day has been lovely, relaxing even. We lingered by the pool. He gave me an orgasm. We had a casual lunch. I napped under the sun.

“I’m glad.” His returning smile is soft, but I’ve struck a nerve again, one I didn’t intend to hit. Despite his serial dating, Dallas might be as lonely as me. As I lift my wine and take another sip, I dismiss my thoughts. He’s worldly and wealthy, and clearly experienced with women. He can’t possibly feel alone.

“How often do you come here?” The question is intended to alter the conversation.

“I try to get here at least twice a year. Typically, in March and around New Year’s.”

A fierce brush of breeze blows, swirling the tablecloth over the table. My short hair skitters across my face a second. “With all this wind, you should consider farming down here.”

“I have, but windmills in oceans are a tricky thing. Environmentalists are caught between a soft spot for wind energy instead of the burning of fossil fuels and the hard spot of disrupting oceanic habitats with the large bases necessary to secure the turbines.”

Dallas waves out a hand at the deepening blue sky and the soft rush of waves. “Besides, you wouldn’t want anything to obstruct that view, right?”

“It really is beautiful here.” I breathe in the tropical air.

“Yeah, beautiful.”

I turn at the low hum of his voice. He isn’t looking at the scenery but observing me. I smile again and take another sip of wine, fighting the desire suddenly rippling through my body. A yearning to climb over him and apologize for suggesting he’s brought women here. Then show him how honored I am to be the first.

I don’t get the chance to live out my sudden fantasy as Marietta arrives with Miguel, each carrying a large tray with covered platters.