9. Scarlett
Chapter nine
Scarlett
M y knee bounces uncontrollably beneath the table. I swallow hard as I reach for the glass of water before me, bringing it to my lips and savoring the liquid as it slides down my dry throat.
Nervous doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel right now as I contemplate the fact that I’m on a first date with my husband.
I must have changed at least ten times before we left the house, overthinking every little thing. From the length of my hemline, the tightness of the fabric, the openness of my neckline, and even the color choice in fear that it would draw too much attention to myself. I finally opted for a black A-line dress with a boat neck and sheer sleeves, the length ending just above my knees, and paired with black flats and a silver chain belt to complete the look.
Before we left the house, I glanced in the mirror, giving a little twirl, thinking I looked nice. However, as my eyes travel around the opulent room with women dining beside their significant others in gorgeous six-inch heels and body-hugging dresses that leave little to the imagination, I’m starting to second-guess myself.
Leo deserves a woman like one of them. One who isn’t fearful of showing off her legs or a hint of cleavage. A woman who’s confident in her skin, owning her true worth. One that matches him in power and appearances.
And that’s not me.
Leo’s fingers clasp around my hand, bringing it to his lips. “You look perfect.” His soft lips brush the back of my hand, sending a shiver through me.
“Thank you,” I murmur, my cheeks heating up under his gaze. He returns my hand to the table but keeps his hand firmly fastened around it.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks.
A boisterous laugh to my left catches my attention. It’s a beautiful couple, dripping in elegance and sex appeal. The woman is wearing a red skintight dress with her ample cleavage out in almost full display for the man beside her to admire as he slides his chair closer to her, grazing his finger across her collarbone. He leans forward, pressing his lips to her neck, his tongue poking out for a taste. She seems to enjoy it as she arches her neck to the side, giving him sufficient room to explore.
God, do I feel out of place here.
“Scarlett?”
I shake my head, turning my attention to Leo. “Sorry. I was just thinking about how beautiful this restaurant is.”
He leans forward, bracing his elbows on the table. Probably not the etiquette on par with a place like this, but I would love to see any person in here tell him otherwise. His white button-down shirt, tucked into his black pants, fits nicely against his chiseled chest. His sleeves are rolled up, exposing the ink on his veiny forearms and hands, sending a foreign feeling to the pit of my stomach. My heart picks up speed as I suddenly have the urge to trace every single one of his tattoos, maybe not with my fingers, but with my ton—
No! I internally shake my head. What is wrong with me?
His hardened gaze narrows in on me as his lips curve the slightest bit, a cruel but handsome smile on display only for my eyes.
He’s a man that everyone fears.
Everyone, that is, except me.
“You’re lying, Firefly.”
My lips part as I shake my head. “N-no. I—”
He suddenly stands, lifting his chair and relocating it beside mine. Sitting, he shifts toward me, his eyes studying me. “Was this a bad idea for a first date?” He tugs at his collar, a touch of red skimming up his neck.
And I realize something that calms my racing heart. He’s nervous. Just like me.
I smile, placing my hand over his, and suddenly recognize it’s the first time I’ve initiated contact between us. But it doesn’t feel wrong. If anything, it feels right. More than right, actually. Because I don’t have the urge to run or cry. No. When I touch him, I simply exist in his promise of safety. A bubble of bliss that I never want to leave. And I like this feeling. I like this feeling…a lot.
“No.” I shake my head. “Not at all. This was a great idea, and I’m glad we’re here. I’m just feeling a little nervous.”
“With me?”
“No.” I watch as I let my finger trace the ink over the back of his hand. The slight tremble in my touch dies down the longer I explore. He doesn’t move or say anything; he just watches me curiously. “Never nervous with you. Just nervous that I’ll mess this up.” I give a slight shrug. “In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t exactly fit in with the crowd of women here.” My eyes travel around the room, taking in the beauty before landing back on the white tablecloth. “They all look like supermodels, and I look…well, I’m pretty sure I look like I haven’t slept in years.” I give a timid smile. “I guess I don’t really feel like myself right now.”
His eyes darken, his hand flipping over, intertwining our fingers. He moves in so close that his knees press against the outside of my thigh, sending a slight pulse in my core. “Do you think I care what any other woman in this place looks like?” His lips ghost over my ear. “Do you think my eyes have strayed once while we’ve been here?”
I swallow down the flutter of butterflies in my stomach trying to escape. The warmth of his breath cascades over my neck, and I suddenly wish I was the woman at the nearby table who was having her neck sampled like an appetizer. “I’m…I’m not sure.”
He takes my hand and places it on his chest. “You are the only one in here my eyes are drinking in. The only one making my heart beat faster than it should be.” I feel the thump of his heart matching my own. I find myself wanting to curl my fingers into him. To tear apart his shirt and feel his defined muscles under my touch. But I shouldn’t feel this way.
A slight panic snakes through me, and for the second time tonight, I question what the hell is wrong with me.
I was kidnapped and tortured by a faceless man.
A monster.
I shouldn’t ever want to be touched again, not after everything I went through.
But God, I want Leo to touch me more than I’ve wanted anything in my entire life. And that scares me more than I care to admit.
My breaths come out faster, my heart on the verge of cardiac arrest. This is wrong. Everything about this is wrong.
But he’s your protector…
Your first love…
Your husband…
“Scarlett, you are the only one who—”
“Well, if it isn’t Leonardo Alarie.” A high-pitched voice has us both turning our heads to the side, where I find a tall, slender brunette in a stunning blue satin dress approaching our table.
Leo drops my hand and sits back in his seat while I quickly compose myself, placing my hands on my lap and staring at the woman before us.
I’m the only one who…what? I wonder.
“Natasha,” Leo murmurs, stretching his neck to the side.
“You look just as delicious as ever,” she practically purrs as she bats her long lashes at him. Her eyes rake over his body, undressing my husband before my very eyes. She either doesn’t care that I’m here or is too lost in her X-rated daydream to notice my presence. “Why haven’t you returned any of my calls?” She pouts and rests her hand on Leo’s forearm.
Everything around me stills as my eyes focus on where her fingers graze his skin with a familiar touch.
They’ve been intimate with each other.
My heart pounds.
My vision goes blurry.
I want to scream at her for touching what’s mine.
I want to shove her away from Leo and watch as she stumbles backward with pure shock on her overly-painted face.
I clench my hands into fists, my breaths accelerating. But as I blink back the tears forming, I suddenly see this woman in a new light.
This is who Leo wants.
Dark hair. Long legs. Brown eyes. Confident. Sexy.
She’s everything I’m not.
I look down at my lap, hating myself for getting caught up in the dream that this date meant that Leo was starting to see me in the same light as he had years before. But why would he ever want me again when he’s been with someone like her?
A sharp stab of jealousy slices right through my wildly beating heart. I feel so stupid.
“Please remove your hand before I have to do it for you.” Leo’s deep, authoritative voice sends a chill over my skin.
My eyes dart to him, his face exemplifying a wrath I’ve never seen. Natasha chuckles, probably assuming he’s joking, but she removes her fingers just the same. Leo leans toward me, his eyes only on me as he speaks. “Natasha, have you met my wife, Scarlett?” He reaches for my hand on my lap and brings it to his lips, kissing my wedding band. I stare wide-eyed, warmth spreading throughout my chest. “She is the only woman allowed to touch me.”
Leo turns his eyes to Natasha and watches her cheeks turn bright red. She murmurs, “Congratulations,” before quickly spinning on her heels and heading toward the back of the restaurant, swiftly disappearing out of sight.
Leo’s dark eyes connect with mine. He doesn’t hesitate to say, “It was one time. A few years ago.”
I shake my head, take a deep breath, and attempt to compose myself. Within minutes, I went from being turned on to fighting off a panic attack and experiencing jealousy for the first time in my life. The thought of Leo with another woman is not something I want to ponder all that closely. Not at all, in fact.
“I didn’t expect you to be celibate for all those years. We both had our own lives.” I reach for my glass of water, quickly taking a few sips. “Besides, I can’t say that I blame you. She’s stunning.”
Leo releases a deep, throaty laugh, and I find myself taken aback. “Something funny?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Don’t you see?”
“See what?”
“She’s the exact opposite of you.”
Hurt spreads in my chest as my arms drop to my sides and my eyes lower. “Yes. I have eyes.” If she’s who he wants, why doesn’t he just run after her then?
His face morphs into that of a deadly killer. A stone-cold expression takes over as he catches my hand, not releasing it even when I try to yank it away. Sitting forward, he ends up right in my face, his lips only inches from mine. “She’s cold and cruel. Greedy and bitter. A fake, money-hungry gold digger who only wants me for the power I come with. I’ve never been attracted to her. Not once. And I only slept with her because she’s the exact opposite of you in both looks and everything else.” His eyes soften, his thumb gently caressing my hand. “She’s everything I don’t want.”
“W-what?” My heart thunders so loudly that I’m not sure I’ll be able to hear anymore.
He presses our foreheads together, the palms of his hands cupping the sides of my face. “I’ve only ever wanted—”
A clearing of a throat causes me to jump back. The waiter, who tugs on his collar, appearing very uncomfortable, stands before us. “Your dinner is served.” He dips his chin, walks backward, and two other waiters appear, quickly serving our plates.
After they walk away, Leo reaches over and begins cutting my steak into bite-size pieces. Knowing he’s doing it so I don’t have to pick up a knife causes my eyes to mist over.
“Thank you.” I place my napkin on my lap, smoothing out the fabric. “And thank you for the flowers today. They’re different than what you’ve normally gotten me but very beautiful. I placed them on my nightstand.”
Leo freezes mid-cut, suddenly turning his stealthy gaze on me. “What flowers?”
I arch a brow, remembering the card that came with it with the words Always mine on it. A blush spreads over my cheeks as I internally shake my head. “The black dahlias you had delivered to the house today.”
Leo rolls his neck, his jaw working back and forth as he drops the knife. He suddenly reaches for his jacket and stands, holding out his hand for me to take. “We’re leaving. Now.” His eyes jump around the room, narrowing in on each patron as if they might be unsuspecting prey in his next hunt. His other hand reaches into his pocket and comes out with a wad of bills that he throws onto the table.
Taking his hand, he pulls me along, and I do my best to keep up, but it’s hard when he’s well over a foot taller than me.
“Leo,” I huff, trying to catch my breath. “I don’t understand what’s going on.”
He throws a deathly glare at the valet, who bolts out the door in pursuit of his car.
The restaurant manager rushes over to us, smoothing his hand over his bald head. “Mr. and Mrs. Alarie, I apologize if everything was not up to your standards. We can—”
“Everything was excellent.” Leo rushes us out the door. “But it’s time for us to leave,” he throws over his shoulder.
Just as we take a step outside, his car appears. The valet jumps out of the driver’s seat and tosses Leo his keys.
Everything’s happening too fast.
“Leo, wait!” I pull on his hand, causing him to stop in his tracks. Once again, his eyes examine our surroundings before landing on me. “Will you please tell me what’s going on?”
He looks down at me as he opens the passenger door, waiting for me to step inside. “We need to go.”
I shake my head, holding my ground as I cross my arms over my chest. “I’m not getting in the damn car until you tell me why!”
I internally gape at my insolence. Shit… What did I just do?
Something like admiration flashes in Leo’s eyes. “As pleased as I am that you feel comfortable enough with me to defy me, now is not the time.” He removes the handgun from the inside of his jacket, turning the safety off before he looks into my eyes and says, “We’re leaving because I didn’t have any fucking flowers delivered to the house today.”