Chapter 14 My Lucky Charm #3
Alexander watched her go, a small smile tugging at his lips. He then followed her upstairs.
An hour later, he descended the stairs, but tonight he wasn’t in his usual sharp suit. Instead, he wore a soft sweater and jeans. The casual attire only highlighted the perfection of his broad shoulders and strong frame.
Mia froze, her mouth slightly open, staring at him. He rarely dressed casually; usually, it was suits or T-shirts and trousers. But tonight… he looked younger, effortlessly charming.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Alexander wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. His eyes roamed over her with warmth and admiration, taking in every detail. “My wife is the most beautiful woman to ever exist,” he said softly.
Mia flushed, surprised, and before she could reply, he leaned down and kissed her. The world seemed to melt away around her.
She pulled back slightly, gazing at him. “Mr. Graves, you look so handsome,” she whispered, still catching her breath.
Alexander’s lips curled into an amused smirk. “Don’t I look handsome every day? I thought my wife liked me in every suit I wear.”
Mia laughed, her cheeks still tinged with pink. “No, I meant… this outfit. You look very handsome in jeans and a T-shirt too. It’s just… different. Special.”
“Do you want me to wear this more often?” he asked, playful, taking her hand and leading her toward the car.
Mia nodded eagerly, her smile radiant. “Yes, please!”
“Then I’ll wear it more often,” Alexander said, opening the car door for her.
He reached out to help her in, and Mia, unable to resist the flutter in her chest, arched onto her tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Alexander froze, as if it were the first time she had ever kissed him. His gaze held hers, intense and warm. Before she could slide into the car, he leaned in and kissed her on the mouth, leaving her breathless. When she pulled back to sit, he caught her hand and held it tight.
“How about we skip the steakhouse tonight?” he murmured, his eyes dark with hunger. “Let’s go back to our bedroom.”
Mia gasped sharply. “Absolutely not!” She freed her hand and slid into the passenger seat, clutching the door handle. “Mr. Graves, we are going to the steakhouse.”
Alexander stayed rooted, one arm resting on the top of the car, the other keeping the door open. He looked at her with pleading eyes, uncharacteristically vulnerable.
Mia turned her head away, closing her eyes. “Don’t give me that look, Mr. Graves. It works most of the time, but not now. I got dressed up, and you look ridiculously handsome. We are not going back inside.” She peeked at him, cheeks slightly flushed. “Maybe… after we come back, we can do… that.”
Alexander let out a deep, almost reluctant breath of defeat.
He leaned in to press a soft kiss to her cheek, then whispered near her ear, “Mrs. Graves, we always do it when we come back home. You don’t have to promise me; I know it will happen.
But tonight… not in the bed. Be prepared for a surprise. ”
Mia went utterly still, heart hammering, as his words hit her.
He gave her a small, wicked smile, eyes still burning with heat as he stepped back and slammed the car door shut.
She sat there, breathless. She was tempted to tell him to stay home, that he had already convinced her to stay home but she didn’t. Instead, she pinched her thigh and looked away, blinking rapidly. ‘Stop being so hungry all the time… Mr. Graves has completely ruined me.’
Alexander slid into the driver’s seat. The engine roared to life, the car surged through the Manhattan streets, the city lights blurring past. His hand found hers, gripping it firmly, and then slowly wandered to her thigh.
Mia felt heat rush through her as his fingers trailed along her skin, sliding the fabric of her dress higher.
Her hands remained folded obediently in her lap, her body tense with a mix of desire and restraint. Every nerve in her body was on fire. The thought of even making it to the steakhouse seemed impossible. Maybe… it would have been better to take his offer and forget the dinner for tonight.
Just when it became unbearable for her to control herself, the car suddenly slowed and came to a full stop.
Mia blinked rapidly, her breath catching, and looked out the window.
The steakhouse glowed under golden lights and blinding brightness.
She turned her head toward the restaurant, then back toward Alexander in surprise.
He met her gaze calmly, not a hair out of place, and said, “We’re here.”
He looked completely fine, collected, and unaffected… while Mia felt like she could barely breathe, let alone feel her legs.
Alexander stepped out of the car first. Mia finally sucked in a deep, shaky breath, trying to calm herself down, but the scent of him still lingered heavily inside the car.
Her thighs trembled. She placed her hand on her knee and gave it a tight squeeze—twice—trying to remind her legs they still existed.
Then she finally turned to the door. Alexander was already there, opening it fully for her. Mia took the hand he extended, and stepped out.
There was silence all around. It was a quiet night—too quiet.
Mia looked around, confused. This steakhouse was so famous that there was never a quiet night—not even on holidays. She turned to Alexander with a frown.
“Mr. Graves,” she asked softly, “is it possible the place is closed tonight? I’ve never seen it this empty before.”
Alexander answered, “It’s not closed. Let’s go.”
He took her hand in his own again and casually tossed the car keys to the valet who had appeared in front of them, then headed toward the entrance.
They walked inside. The man at the door opened it for them, and they stepped into a space made almost entirely of glass. The view of the city—the skyline, the rolling lights—was breathtaking.
Mia’s steps slowed as she scanned the place.
The entire restaurant was empty.
Her eyes widened. “Mr. Graves, why is it so empty? Did you book the entire place?” Mia stopped mid-step, staring, as realization dawned on her.
Alexander smiled at her and answered, “Of course. I wanted to have a private dinner with my wife. It has to be special.”
Mia halted, her heart warming—and then tightening at the same time. She hesitated, looking around the silent, echoing space.
“Mr. Graves,” she said softly, her voice hesitant, almost apologetic. “I don’t like it when a place is this empty. It makes me feel unsettled. I like it when there are people… noises… conversations. It feels warm, relaxing. This… feels too quiet.”
Alexander blinked, surprise flickering across his eyes. “You don’t want it to be private?”
Mia shook her head, pressing closer to him. “No. I want people around. When it’s empty like this… it just doesn’t feel right.”
Alexander’s hand slid around her waist, pulling her closer until her body molded against his. “Alright. We’ll do what makes you happy.”
He lifted his head and gave a subtle signal. Almost instantly, a waiter appeared. “Yes, Mr. Graves?”
Alexander’s gaze flicked to Mia, then back to the waiter. “Open the restaurant. Let anyone who wants to come in for dinner enter freely. I’ll cover their meals as well.”
The waiter’s eyes widened in surprise, but he nodded. “Right away, sir.”
Alexander then lowered his gaze to hers. “Are you happy now?”
Mia smiled and nodded. “Yes.”
“Where do you want to sit?” he asked.
Mia’s finger pointed to the table near the window, her eyes sparkling. “I want to sit there. Look, just two chairs… won’t it be private, just for us?”
A slow smile curved Alexander’s lips. He slipped his hand around hers, his fingers brushing gently, and guided her to the table by the large glass wall in the corner.
They both sat down, and the restaurant, which had been completely empty moments ago, slowly came alive. People began to fill in, the soft buzz of conversation and clinking cutlery rising around them. It wasn’t as crowded as a regular night, but it no longer felt completely deserted.
Mia smiled, her eyes sparkling, unable to contain her happiness. Alexander’s gaze followed her every expression, warmth flickering in his eyes.
“Do you want anything else?” he asked gently.
Mia shook her head. “I’m good. Do you like the steak? I’m not sure if it’s to your taste.”
“It’s perfect.” Alexander’s gaze softened, and he reached across the table, taking her hand in his. He bent down and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her fingers. “My Mia has the best taste in the world.”
Mia’s cheeks flushed pink at the compliment. “Mr. Graves, you’re always praising everything I do.”
He shrugged casually, though his gaze never left hers. “Because everything you do is worth praising.”
Hearing his words, Mia’s chest fluttered uncontrollably. Unable to resist, she rose from her seat and leaned over the table. One hand rested on his shoulder, the other cupping his face, and she pressed a lingering, soft kiss to his cheek.
The kiss lingered, delicate and electric.
As always, Alexander went perfectly still, frozen in place, as he always did when she kissed him unexpectedly.
Whether it was on his lips or on his cheek, each kiss from Mia seemed to freeze him in place, as if she had gifted him something priceless.
Mia always found it amusing and endearing—he had never grown used to her kisses, and every single one was special to him.
When she pulled back, Alexander’s fingers remained tightly clenched around his fork, knuckles stark white. He leaned forward slightly, his voice low, rough, almost a growl that vibrated through the quiet of the restaurant.
“Mrs. Graves,” he said, eyes dark and burning, “you are crossing every single one of my boundaries today. You asked me to come here instead of staying home, and now you’re making sure I won’t be sane by the time this dinner is over?”
Mia laughed softly, a teasing glint in her eyes. “After dinner, don’t we already have plans?” she asked, cutting her steak with a faint blush.
Alexander’s jaw tightened, the grip on his fork nearly crushing it.
His legs shifted slightly under the table, adjusting to sit straighter, and yet he couldn’t hide the rising heat in his eyes.
Mia stifled a laugh, biting the inside of her cheek.
It was painfully obvious—he was dying to get out of here, to grab her and pull her away.
Waiting for her to finish dinner was agony written across his face.
Meanwhile, in the corridor of the steakhouse, Gabriel strolled past with a woman tucked under his arm. She laughed lightly, the air of flirtation between them unmistakable. Gabriel’s eyes gleamed with hunger as he looked down at her.
“You’re my lucky charm, Julia,” he murmured, cupping her face and pressing a quick kiss to her lips.
“How is it possible that this steakhouse—the most expensive one in the city—let us dine here for free tonight? I wonder who this generous gentleman is, giving out free dinners where people can’t even get a reservation. ”
The girl giggled. “Gabriel… now that dinner is done, how about we take it to your place?” She raised her hand, letting her fingers trail lightly along his throat, then down toward his belt, her eyes glinting with mischief.
Gabriel smirked. “My house is off-limits. Do you have a place? Let’s go there.”
The girl pouted. “I live with my family. We can’t go there.”
Gabriel’s hand slid possessively to her hip, pulling her closer. “Then let’s go to a hotel. We can spend a nice, relaxing night… and you can please me all you want.”
She laughed, swinging her head back and leaning into him as they headed toward the exit.
But Gabriel’s steps faltered. Through the glass wall, he saw Mia sitting inside the restaurant’s exclusive area. A man sat beside her, his back turned toward Gabriel.
His chest tightened, a flicker of disbelief crossing his face. “No… that can’t be Mia.” He stared, unblinking, making sure he wasn’t mistaken.