Chapter 11
I’m taken aback by the sheer opulence of Noir & Nectar.
In all my life I’ve never seen anything as beautiful as this place.
The rich mahogany flooring beams under the warm glow of the ceiling lights, making it look like molten chocolate.
The exposed brick work of the walls adds a rustic touch to the room without losing its expensive taste.
My eyes wander to the left, noticing a long bar.
It definitely looks handcrafted with a bronze metal bar running across the bottom to rest your feet on, accompanied by bronze bar stools with rich black leather seats and backrests.
Two rows of wrought iron shelves line the back wall behind the bar, both packed with some seriously expensive spirits and wines.
This definitely gives my cheap ass wine at home a run for its money.
Even the bar staff are beautiful, a man and woman take their places behind the high bar, serving the customers who fit right into a place like this.
My hand is still wrapped around Ricky’s bicep as the host, an older gentleman with warm eyes and greying hair comes to show us to our table.
“Table for two, Mr De Rossi?” Of course he knows who Ricky is.
Ricky simply nods before shooting a brief glance at me. I can already feel my cheeks heating under his gaze. How can someone have this much effect on me?
“Right this way, sir.”
I’m brought into the present by our host leading us further into the stunning room.
We weave our way through the rich, dark tables until we’re at the back of the restaurant, the lighting is much darker here but still warming.
The host extends his arm, pointing out our table.
Ricky pulls my chair out for me and I tuck my red dress under my thighs before taking a seat, his slender fingers graze over the top of my naked shoulders, leaving a delicious heat in their wake.
He takes the seat opposite me, then unfastens the black button on his suit, giving me the perfect view of his crisp shirt, the white material stretching over his chest with three buttons left open at his collar, his rich warm skin peeking out.
I have to swallow to stop myself from drooling all over this fancy table.
“Sir. Madam.” The host regards us both. “Would you like to see the wine menu?”
Before I can say anything, Ricky answers for us, which is probably a good thing considering I’ve never drank the wine they have here.
“Yes. Thank you.” His voice oozed charm, but also a hint of authority.
The tone has me squeezing my thighs together under the table.
The host leaves us both at our table and I suddenly feel very exposed under Ricky’s stare.
I was almost using the host as a buffer between us but now that he’s gone, I have nothing to shield my insecurities with.
Clasping my hands together, I sit them on my lap to stop me fidgeting.
Ricky’s voice washes over me like a hot sun, instantly warming me from the inside out.
“You’re not nervous are you, Annabelle? I promise I won’t bite.” He runs his tongue across the front of his pearly teeth before giving me a panty soaking smile and I lift my chin, hoping to fake some confidence.
“I’m not opposed to biting.” I reply, keeping my eyes fixed on his. We stare each other down before we’re interrupted.
“The wine menu, sir. We charge per bottle.”
Ricky takes the black menu from our host, his ocean eyes bounce over the words that are printed on the other side.
It only takes him a couple of seconds to decide for us.
“We’ll have the Cuvee Cathelin Chave 1998.
” He hands the menu back, then slides his hand into the inside of his suit to retrieve his wallet before opening it and pulling out his gold Amex card, handing it over to the host as if he does this all the time.
My eyes trail every movement. The gold card beaming under the warm lights of the room.
They’re so much shiner in real life. I’m trapped under Ricky’s gaze again as he places his elbows on the table, his slender fingers running across his bottom jaw and I trace his every movement as if he’s putting me under a spell.
“Best five thousand dollars I’ve ever spent.” Fucking hell! My eyes almost fall out of my head like an old cartoon.
“Wait, what? You just spent five thousand dollars on a single bottle of wine?” I say, confused and shocked.
“Yes, and? It’s a delicious wine and you’re worth it.” I must look at him like he’s sprouted another head. My jaw hitting the table. That’s more than I make in a month, and he’s just spent it as if it was loose change that was leftover.
“Get out of your pretty little head, sweetheart. I wanted to have this date with you so I’ll spend my money how I see fit, and what I say, goes.
” He says with such charm that I feel my insides go all gooey at his remark.
I’ve never been taken care of like this before.
Never had someone make these choices for me and it’s kind of refreshing to feel.
The night flows on with easy conversation and light flirting that bounces back and forth between us.
The red wine and decadent food is delicious, and I moan every time I take a mouthful.
Ricky’s eyes seem to darken a deeper shade every time.
The stormy irises are now clouding over, almost like rough waters at sea and I would happily drown in them.
There’s no conversation about our case work tonight, only sharing bits of ourselves with each other.
Ricky tells me about his casino and I tell him about my job at Franklin and Co but that’s as far as it goes, we don’t mention the case that I’m representing him in, almost like it’s too taboo to talk about.
We don’t touch too much on our past lives, other than that we both don’t speak to our parents anymore.
It brings me a small comfort that there’s also someone else who is in my shoes.
I almost feel less lonely in this situation.
Ricky is very closed off, I’ve come to learn in the short space of time.
Anytime I try to dig deeper into him, to get to know him, he dodges the questions with ease, almost like he’s trained to.
My brain short circuits over the mess of emotions that are firing around in my head.
I clean my plate with efficiency, not missing a single crumb, like I’ve never been fed before and I feel Ricky’s eyes on me, causing me to look up.
His hard gaze starts at my mouth before going further south and then back up again.
He doesn’t say anything, but I’ve seen that look before from people.
The one where I finish my meal a little too quickly or my portion size is a bit bigger than someone else’s.
Closing my eyes for a moment, I brush that hurtful thought away, I’m getting in my own head again.
He wouldn’t be thinking that. Would he? He’s done nothing but shower me with compliments from the moment we sat down.
I’m being stupid.
I shake the annoying voices away and thank him for the wonderful meal. The host arrives back at our table to collect our plates.
“I hope the food was up to your standards, sir.” His head bows slightly as if he’s nervous about our reply, I quickly open my mouth before Ricky.
“It was wonderful. Thank you so much.” I give him a warm smile, hoping to convince him that my answer is truthful. He returns the gesture and retreats with the plates. The firm muscle starts to tick in Ricky’s jaw, his shapely brows furrowing in the middle.
“Is everything alright?” He doesn’t reply for a moment and I begin to think he hasn’t heard me. I go to speak again before he schools his features, the mask of charm sliding back over his face.
“Everything is fine, sweetheart. Don’t worry.” he says quickly, brushing me off. I let it go.
“I’ll let Nico know that we’re ready to leave.”
Ricky pulls the phone from his jacket, his fingers flying over the screen before he locks it and places it back into his jacket. He rises to his feet, rounds the table and pulls my chair out for me as I stand then places his hand out, palm upwards for me to take.
“Shall we?” I give him a sweet smile and nod before slipping my hand into his large one. His fingers engulf mine and he gives them a small squeeze before leading me out of the restaurant. As we come closer to the exit, the host pulls Ricky aside to probably give him his credit card back.
“I won’t be a moment, sweetheart.” He gives me a wink before walking up to the host, taking his card back.
Ricky wraps his large hand around the gold card and the host’s hand before speaking low to him.
His grip, deadly. I strain, trying to hear what’s being said but Ricky’s voice is too quiet.
The host’s, once friendly and warm face now completely drains of colour, almost matching his stark white shirt.
He begins to nod rapidly, almost lost for words before quickly dropping Ricky’s hand and placing his own, back behind his back.
He turns swiftly on his heel and walks away without making eye contact with me.
Strange.
Should I ask what’s going on? Then again, it’s none of my business. I choose to keep quiet, not wanting to overstep. Schooling my features I put on a neutral face before Ricky comes back over and takes my hand in his again. I simply look up at him and smile, and he returns it tenfold.
The black town car sits idle at the edge of the pavement, the engine running. I let Ricky lead me to the back passenger door before he opens it for me. He sways his arm inside of the car, gesturing for me to climb in.