AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Same,” I added, but remained hesitant about sampling the wine.
“It’s good, Ariel,” Lucas encouraged me. “You don’t have to have a whole glass if you don’t want to. Just try a sip and see if you like it.”
The tension that I’d been holding in my neck and shoulders slowly eased away. Egged on by his enthusiasm, I raised the vintage to my mouth and drew in the tiniest bit of vino.
Immediately, I detected a subtle earthiness and a hint of smokiness. As I swirled the liquid through my mouth, my tongue caught glimpses of cherry, plum, and red currant. My eyes closed on their own accord at the delicious bouquet of notes and how they enticed my tastebuds.
“You like it?” Lucas eyed me like I was Sunday dinner, his eyes drinking me in like the vintage I’d just savored.
“It’s delicious.” A soft sigh escaped through my lips as I offered the server my glass and asked for more. “Just a few sips worth, please,” I asked, knowing full-well that anymore would give me the headache of a lifetime.
″Si, signora.” Our server acknowledged with a single nod.
Once our glasses were poured, the server set the bottle upon the table and left to place our orders. For several beats, Lucas and I sat silently, eyeing each other, blessing one another with sweet, brief smiles and stolen glances.
“I’m glad that you agreed to have dinner with me,” he piped up as the strains of a violin filled the air. “I want to say something, although I’m not sure if it’s appropriate.”
“What do you want to say?”
“Can I be honest?”
His request caught me by surprise. “Of course.”
“Forgive me for being so bold, but you’re the most beautiful woman that I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
Lightning electrified my insides while desire warmed my skin. My breath caught and I couldn’t breathe. This man, this delectable, beautiful, breathtaking man thought I was beautiful. His boldness stirred heat within my belly, causing it to spill over and pool between my legs.
“I’ve made you uncomfortable,” he said suddenly, visibly dejected.
“No! No, no, no!” I reached out and grabbed his hand that rested on the table before him. “You didn’t make me uncomfortable. You... just caught me by surprise is all. And for the sake of honesty, I think you’re pretty fantastic too.”
Lucas’s sweet demeanor quickly transformed into a sexy flirtatiousness left my body humming.
“And what about handsome?” he asked. “Do you find me handsome?”
“Yes,” I answered quickly. “Although I’m not sure I should have told you that.”
“Why? Why would you feel like you need to keep that from me?”
“Because we’ve only known each other for a handful of hours. And... I don’t know how to do this.” It was hard for me to admit that, but one glimpse into Lucas’s fiery, light-blue eyes bolstered me onward. “Phil is the only man that I’ve ever dated,” I confessed. “We’ve—we were—together since we were teens. He was the first boy I dated. The first person that I kissed. The first person I…” my voice trailed off as my nerve started to waver.
“That only makes you even more beautiful,” Lucas said with conviction. “Commitment. Devotion. Faithfulness. Do you know how sexy and refreshing that is in a woman?” He drew in a deep breath before making a confession of his own.
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
“What?” He eyed me with concern. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No. No, you didn’t.” I swallowed the sudden urge to run away and went for it. “I’m just not used to having someone say things like that to me. Phil, he…”
“Pardon me, but to hell with that asshole. If he didn’t spend every day telling you how beautiful you are and moving Heaven and Earth to prove it, then he did not deserve you. That piece of shit is an idiot for letting you go.” Lucas reached out and suddenly took possession of my hand. “You are a breathtaking woman, Ariel. You deserve to be worshipped.” His fingers squeezed mine. “When I saw you in the square today, I nearly dropped to my knees. I’m not ashamed to say that I couldn’t take my eyes off of you.”
“Is that why you approached me?”
Lucas nodded. Another shiver rippled across my skin, setting me on fire. At that moment I knew. I wanted this man to make me forget everything. To light me up, to tantalize my body and ignite my soul, even if it was for one night.
“Ariel,” Lucas said after several silent beats. “Do you believe in fate?”
I met his eye while I contemplated my answer.
