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As we settle onto our pillow seats, Samuel pours me a glass of red wine, and I take a sip, letting the rich flavors roll over my tongue. He watches me, his eyes shining with delight.
“I’ve been thinking about this moment for a long time,” he says, his voice low and seductive.
I nearly choke on my drink. “Oh, yeah?” I ask, still coughing.
His lip quirks up. “I bought wine in the city, before we were anything but neighbors. I was trying to justify inviting you over, getting close to you... but it seems fate has a way of forcing things to happen when we can’t take the leap ourselves.”
I hide my smile with another sip from my glass.
Samuel reaches between us, unveiling a dish from beneath a silver cloche before placing it in front of me. It’s something I’ve only ever seen on TV, like when the butler offers Ariel food after she arrives at the castle and has dinner with the prince.
You deserve better, his note had said.
I grab my fork, holding it over the plate. This meal is a combination of flavors I’ve never had before. There are slices of brisket wrapped around asparagus, petite croissants accompany roasted potatoes sprinkled with herbs of varying sorts, and something that resembles sautéed spinach.
“This is amazing.” I take a bite of the brisket, savoring the taste. “You outdid yourself, Samuel.”
He grins as he pours himself a glass of red wine. “I’ve had time to practice my cooking skills,” he remarks, his eyes fixed on me. “And I wanted tonight to be perfect.”
He reaches toward me, and my heart races, anticipating his touch. When his fingers graze mine, I can hardly breathe.
“Why tonight?” I whisper.
His eyes flash with heat. “This.” He holds up his hands, gesturing to the surrounding room. “Hasn’t been the best example of what our life together could be.” He leans across the table, capturing my gaze. “I want to show you everything I have to offer, Jane.”
My mouth curves over my fork as I take another bite of food. Samuel watches me, his eyes fixated on my lips as they move, and then on my throat. I bite into a potato, slowly letting my lips slide over it.
He makes a strangled noise.
I tear off a piece of the croissant, dipping it into a small dish of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. As I eat, Samuel’s eyes roam over my body, taking in every inch of me. The air between us thickens, turning electric.
I finish my meal, setting my fork down with a clink.
“Um,” he smooths a hand over his chest, clearly flustered. “I have something else for you.”
I place my elbows on the table, hoping my cleavage diverts his attention. Seeing him rattled is quickly becoming my new favorite thing. “Sounds exciting,” I say, my voice husky.
He stares at me for a moment longer, lips curving upward. After a moment, he reaches beneath the table and brings forth a box.
A black, velvet jewelry box.
My fingers clench around a bundle of my dress. “Is that-“
Samuel lifts the lid to expose a necklace, an exquisite silver teardrop pendant attached to a thin chain. Set in the center of the teardrop is a gleaming ruby gemstone.
The room quietens, and the fire’s hissing seems to dim in the background.
“I realized I hadn’t bought you anything yet.”
I take the box from him, my fingers trembling. “You bought me a lot of things, Sam. The clothes, the phone... you didn’t have to do this.”
“I didn’t have to,” he agrees, stroking his chin. “I wanted to.”
Being careful not to damage the chain, I unravel it from the box and place it against my neck. “Would you secure the clasp?”
Samuel moves closer to me, his cold fingers grazing my neck as he attaches the chain. My senses are on high alert as he leans in, his breath close enough to make my skin tingle.
The ruby pendant rests in the hollow of my throat, catching the candlelight and shining like a beacon.
