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Instead I led her toward the restaurant. A sign on the front window showed that the restaurant was closed for a private affair.
My private affair with Grace.
I pulled the door open for her and let her walk in before me. The soft sound of music playing in the background set the ambience with the low lighting and the scent of freshly baked bread.
Vincenzo’s was known for its incredible and authentic Italian cuisine. Featured in many papers and magazines since it opened, with reviews all positive, the restaurant always had a long wait list.
Vincenzo and I went way back to when we were both trying to stay out of trouble so we didn’t disgrace our families.
But that was a whole other story, one I knew I’d have to tell Grace at some point. This wasn’t a one-time thing for me where she was concerned, and because of that I wanted her to know all of me, not just the professor she saw at the front of that classroom.
Not just the man who loved her.
I stepped up beside Grace and immediately slipped my hand into hers. She looked over at me, a little bit shocked, and I couldn’t help but smile, the innocence pouring from her so strong I actually felt drunk from it.
“Lucian,” I heard Vincenzo say as he made his way toward us.
He had a smile on his face and his arms outstretched. His jet-black hair was cut short and slicked back from his face, and his equally dark eyes were creased at the sides as he grinned widely.
He embraced me instantly. “It’s been too long, my friend.”
I pulled back and nodded. “It has been.”
He put his attention on Grace, and his expression softened. “Bella,” he said and took her hand, leaning down and kissing the back of it gently. “Welcome.”
If this had been anyone other than Vincenzo, I would’ve been in a blind rage that they had touched Grace and called her beautiful. And even though I felt the sting of possessiveness and jealousy that Vincenzo had done it, I knew he had no lewd thoughts concerning her.
“Please,” he said and moved to the side, gesturing for us to follow him.
The restaurant was small, with a handful of tables in the center of the room, and booths lined up around the sides of the wall.
“I have you set up at our nicest table, with the prettiest view.”
He took us to the very back, where a large picture window showed a small pond, a lining of thick trees around it, and a soft glow from the decorative lights giving an ethereal ambience to the setting.
The table in front of the window was a two-seater, with a candle lit in the center and white china place settings.
I held the chair out for Grace, and she sat, her hands slightly shaking. I hated that she was nervous, but was also a little bit thrilled that I’d been the one to cause this reaction in her.
It told me her emotions ran deep, and even though she cared for me, a physical affirmation of that pleased me.
After I gave the wine order to Vincenzo and we were left alone, I sat there and stared at her, the soft glow from the candlelight casting small shadows along her face. I loved that she’d left her hair down for me, the dark strands making my fingers itch to touch them again. They’d been so soft, and the scent, sweet yet floral, turned me on.
She was looking out the window, her profile showing me her delicate nose, the slight slope of it, how it was so feminine. Her lips were full, pouty and pink. I thought about kissing her, about how she felt against me, how she tasted on my tongue.
Grace looked at me then, maybe feeling my gaze on her. The way her cheeks turned slightly red had this feral sensation filling me.
“What?” she asked softly.
“Nothing.” I smiled, and she looked away, her hair slightly obstructing her from my view. “It’s just hard to take my eyes off you.”
She smiled softly, sweetly, and I wanted to reach out and run my finger along the edge of her lips, to feel the slight upturn, to know that I was the one who put it there.
“Tell me about yourself,” I said just as Vincenzo brought the bottle of wine and two glasses. He didn’t say anything as he poured us each a glass, set the bottle off to the side, and gave a slight nod of his head before leaving us in private.
Dinner tonight was chef’s choice, and I was thankful for the extra time to talk with Grace without any interruption.
I picked up my glass and gently twirled the liquid inside of the clear crystal. I brought it to my nose and inhaled deeply, the scent of berries filling my head. I stared at Grace as I tipped the glass back and took a small sip, letting the liquid run along my tongue before sliding down my throat.
