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“Very good, sir.” As soon as the waiter moved away, my companion settled into his seat, crossing one leg over the other, his eyes penetrating mine as he gave me his full attention. “Tell me, Stephanie. What do you fantasize about?”
I’d paid so much attention to his full mouth and strong jaw that it took me a few seconds to realize what he’d asked. Under any other circumstances, I would be insulted, but he was purposely trying to push my buttons, to see what I was made of. He had no idea that even though I appeared the jilted bride, my spine was as strong as steel, my unforgiving past producing a strong backbone.
“I’m not certain that’s polite conversation, especially with a stranger.”
“Think of it this way. You’re likely to never see me again. That should make confiding your utmost desires at least tolerable.”
Tolerable. As I gazed at him, I felt a sense of relief, untethered by the need to toe some imaginary line.
I leaned forward, sliding my fingers across the thick linen tablecloth. I was feeling daring so why not? “To be tied and required to surrender.”
“Please, do go on. I find that fascinating.”
“Why, because most women act as if they desperately need to have full control? If that’s the case, then they are lying to you. There isn’t a woman out there who wouldn’t enjoy being taken roughly by a man, stripped of all ability to make demands or issue orders. The thought of being incapable of breaking free from tight confines is sinful, filthy, and completely desirable.”
His slight smirk was an indication my answer had pleased him. He leaned further forward, allowing me to catch another whiff of his exotic aftershave. “Very few women have the courage to submit to a monster.”
“Is that what you are, a monster?”
“Yes.” He elongated the word, the deep bass of his voice forcing a series of trembles.
“Then should I be scared of you?”
He took a deep breath, holding it while the waiter presented the wine. While I was vaguely cognizant the young man was saying a few words, I was caught in a strange vacuum, far too attracted to the stranger when I knew the hunger swelling within me wouldn’t go anywhere decent.
The wine poured, his lifted his glass, waiting for me to do the same. “Yes, Stephanie. You should be very afraid.”
“You might be surprised what frightens me. I’m very much a product of my sign, a Leo.”
“Ah, a lioness. That does suit you, Stephanie.”
Even the way he over-enunciated my name was a powerful aphrodisiac, drawing me into a deeper layer of darkness.
I found his statement as alluring as the man, allowing me to remain in the dark fantasy as I sipped the rich wine, savoring the taste before swallowing. My companion studied every move I made, completely relaxed in the environment. The air was suddenly sucked away from me, his aura overpowering. I sensed his hunger increasing by the way his nostrils flared. Even though he did nothing overt, it was obvious he was undressing me with his eyes.
While I was flattered, I also realized this couldn’t go anywhere decent, even if the thought of exploring passion with one of Gregory’s friends was tempting.
“Tell me about you, Stephanie.”
He said my name in a way that left me tingling, my heart beating erratically. “What would you like to know?”
When he dared to lean further forward, my breath was taken away for a few seconds. He had that kind of power, which left me apprehensive even though he’d done nothing but ask me to dance.
“What makes the most beautiful woman in all of New York tick?”
The smoothness to his voice, the delicate yet pronounced accent was the reason I licked my lips, the slight motion noticed, his eyes twinkling. How could a man be this good looking? I eased back in my seat on purpose, refusing to give in to his overt advances. “Making a difference in the world.”
“Ah, you’re one of those.”
“One of what?”
“Women who believe they can control evil.”
“Does that mean you believe otherwise?”
“What I believe is that you are either born with a light infused in your system or a darkness and that nothing can change your path in life.” He made the statement sound so eloquent, as if the obsidian blackness he mentioned was more appealing.
I swirled my glass before lifting my gaze. “Then we agree to disagree.”
