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Unable to contain my curiosity any longer, I decide to be more direct. “Rachel,” I begin, “is everything alright? You seem a bit... distracted tonight.”
She blinks and looks at me, her expression a mix of surprise and irritation. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just have a lot on my mind, that’s all.”
I sigh, feeling the weight of her indifference. I didn’t expect her to be head over heels, but this is different. “Okay, if you say so,” I reply, trying to hide my disappointment.
As I continue to enjoy my espresso, Rachel’s disengagement lingers. She picks at her napkin, gazes at the tablecloth, and it’s clear that my attempts to make this night special have fallen flat.
Suddenly, an idea strikes me. If Rachel’s not enjoying herself, it’s up to me to change that. I will not be dismissed. My tone shifts, assertiveness creeping in.
“Rachel,” I say. It’s an order. “Go to the bathroom.”
She looks up, bewildered. “What?”
“I said go to the bathroom. Now.”
—
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CHAPTERTEN
Rachel
Alessandro’s voice, rich and commanding, cuts through the polite yet somewhat distant conversation we’ve been having. I’m startled by the shift in his demeanor. His eyes, a deep shade of brown, darken with an intensity that leaves me both bewildered and strangely intrigued. There’s a sense of urgency in his gaze and I find myself drawn into the mystery.
In response to his unexpected directive, I nod slowly, my heart quickening its pace. I stand, my head still spinning from the abrupt change in our evening. Glancing around, I begin to search for the restroom, feeling the unease of the moment. My strappy black heels, while stylish, suddenly feel wobbly as I navigate the restaurant’s elegant interior.
Excitement and nervousness vie for supremacy within me, creating a whirlwind of emotions. A rush of blood surges through my veins, drowning out the soft murmurs and clinking of cutlery from the restaurant’s other patrons. This encounter with Alessandro has taken an unexpected turn, and I’m unsure of what lies ahead.
For a brief moment, I contemplate the wisdom of leaving my purse behind. It holds my phone and, somewhat surprisingly, my concealed carry weapon. But before I can reconsider my choice, I find myself standing before the restroom’s entrance. My hand hesitates near the doorknob. I’m caught between the allure of the unknown awaiting me inside and the desire to return to Alessandro, and continue with our planned for our evening.
As I prepare to pivot on my heels and retrace my steps, I sense a presence behind me. The unmistakable scent of his spicy cologne envelops me, seeping into my skin and igniting a shiver that courses through my body. Before I can react, a hand, both firm and gentle, takes hold of the back of my neck, sending an involuntary tremor down my spine.
He turns me around, and my breath catches in my throat as I find myself face to face with Alessandro. His dark eyes, pupils dilated with a hunger I can’t ignore, lock onto mine with an intensity that leaves me breathless.
“Rachel,” he whispers, his voice a husky caress that sends goosebumps cascading across my skin.
I’m stunned, my thoughts racing to catch up with the swift turn of events. “Alessandro,” I stammer, my heart pounding fiercely in my chest. The world around us seems to vanish, leaving only the two of us standing in this charged moment, our bodies inches apart but not quite touching. His fingers on the nape of my neck send a wave of desire coursing down my spine, and I can’t tear my gaze away from his.
“What are you doing, Alessandro?” I manage to whisper, my voice trembling as I attempt to regain some semblance of control over this electrifying situation. My uncertainty is palpable, my vulnerability exposed.
His lips curl into a slow, seductive smile, and an electric current crackles in the air between us. “I just thought,” he begins, his voice low and intimate, “that we could use a little privacy. Get to know each other better without all the distractions.”
