Chapter Eleven
“Mmm. I had forgotten how much I enjoy oysters.”
Verity squeezed a little lemon juice on top of another, then slid the briny-tangy sweet treat down her throat.
“We’re fortunate in Sectorvale,” observed Lucas. “There, they come right out of the Norwald Straits. Fresh as can be.”
Wiping her fingers in her napkin, Verity leaned back. “What’s Sectorvale like?”
“Not too different to Arcvale, to be honest. Without the five levels underneath it, of course.”
“That is hard to imagine, Lucas. For us Arcvale natives not to have the slight rumble of a trammelbuggy beneath our feet or the soft whine of an aethercoach orchestrating one’s day? Inconceivable.”
“True,” he nodded, sipping his wine. “But there are other compensations, as I learned when I left. I never really missed the unique things about Arcvale. There was so much to see and do in Sectorvale. Also, the landscape is different too, more open space. Homes aren’t built so close to each other but organised tidily to achieve the optimum combination of space and land utilization.
” He paused. “There is so much beauty there, Verity. You can’t imagine the sights and colours, the sun setting in a fiery blaze over the mountains in the far distance, the pure green of the fields in the Holdings. ..magnificent.”
“Really?”
“Yes, there is a big difference between here and there, but not an unpleasant one at all. And of course there are fewer residents in Sectorvale. Without a Forge, or anything like it, there’s no need for a big population.
The focus is more on education, and so on. Sectorvale Academy is well-regarded.”
“So how do people travel from one place to another there?” Verity watched him as he finished off the last oyster and cleaned the last of the lemon juice from his fingers.
“With trammelbuggies and aethercoaches.” He grinned at her.
“An effective method of transportation works wherever one happens to live. But in Sectorvale, they’re all wheeled, and drawn mostly by horses, although there are more than a few plans in the works for laying automation tracks.
” He leaned back. “Interesting projects.”
“And let me guess...you’re involved in the financing?”
His answer was forestalled by the arrival of their pie, and Verity’s mouth watered once again as the rich, savoury fragrance wafted through the air.
“Oh my Lord,” she murmured. “I’m not sure I’ve ever smelled anything quite so good.”
“I have,” he muttered, trying his best not to slop half the pie onto the table as he transferred it to her plate.
“Really? I can’t imagine what...”
The completion of the transfer signalled a break in the conversation, and the two of them dove into the flaky golden pastry, discovering tender beef surrounded by perfectly cooked vegetables. The buttered greens that came with it, were an additional gustatory delight.
A strangely comfortable silence fell as they ate, something Verity found both unusual and delightful.
She watched Lucas surreptitiously, a man enjoying his meal, relaxed and—for once—at peace.
It occurred to her that this was the first time she’d really had chance to see anything other than the intense financial genius side of him, when he was totally focussed and engaged in what he loved to do.
Now the firm lines of his face had softened, and he smiled more often.
A warm and exciting smile that did odd things to her insides.
He leaned back and touched his napkin to his lips. “Well? Does it come up to your expectations?”
“Oh yesss,” she murmured softly. Then she cleared her throat and recalled herself. “Delicious. Absolutely delicious. Although I will say I’m thankful we only ordered one, because I don’t think I can manage another bite.”
Lucas chuckled. “Agreed.”
At that point, the music changed from a gentle background melody to something quicker, brighter, and with more drums.
She reached out and put a hand on Lucas’s arm. “Before you even consider the notion, I will not dance. After that pie, I’ll be lucky to drag myself off this bench.”
He laughed, a genuine, full-throated laugh, dark eyes alight and lips curved.
“Thank you for saying that. While I have nothing against lively music, I’m not about to get up and jump about to it.” He paused. “No matter how much I’d like to hold you in my arms...”
Oh Lord, I’m in trouble now...
Their waitress, who was obviously making the rounds of vacant tables while the patrons kicked up their heels, nodded at them as she picked up the plates. “Looks like you enjoyed it...”
“Oh we did indeed,” replied Verity. “Best pie I think I’ve ever tasted.”
“Glad you liked it. So...how about some dessert?”
“Gah.” Verity managed a shake of her head. “Noooo...”
“We’ll each have a brandy. That’s every bit as good as dessert.” Lucas glanced at Verity. “If that’s acceptable?”
“Sounds lovely.”
“Two brandies, coming right up.”
Verity took the opportunity to give herself a mental smack upside the head, reminding herself that this was not a romantic dinner for two, but a post-business meal after a long and arduous day.
But oh...if it wasn’t...
The brandies appeared promptly, and Lucas raised his in a toast. “To our work today, and to Alastair Pembroke, a man with the patience of a saint.”
Verity chuckled. “To Alastair.”
The snifters rang as their sides met, and Verity smiled at Lucas over the rim as she drank.
“Are you having a good time?” Lucas murmured, leaning against her shoulder, close enough that she could smell the warm scent of brandy on his breath.
“Yes,” she said quietly. “Yes indeed.” The liquor warmed her, and the last of the day’s tensions eased away. “I haven’t enjoyed anything this much in a long time, Lucas. Thank you.”
“It has been my pleasure—and my delight, Verity.”
She wondered if she was about to erupt in flames, the heat of his look and the warmth of his voice fueled the internal inferno she was struggling to control.
“Let’s get out of here,” he said, an edge to his voice.
“All right.”
Within moments, he had put his token into the menu box on the table, confirmed the amount, hit the “Pay” button, and whisked her out of the bistro with Verity barely managing to grab her bonnet. She sincerely hoped she hadn’t trodden on too many feet, or if she had, that nobody recognised her.
The night was cool and dark, a refreshing chance to breathe after the heat and noise of the last couple of hours. But Lucas didn’t stop to admire it, he continued to tug Verity along behind him until they reached a dark corner of the street. Then he stopped.
Verity tried to catch her breath. “Good Lord, Lucas. You’re in a hurry. Did I say something? Or do something wrong?”
The answer came hard and fast. “No. But I’m about to.”
Urging her back against the wall, he slid one arm around her, tilted her chin with his other hand, and proceeded to kiss her with passion, determination, and a great deal of astounding skill...
*~~*~~*
For one of the few times he could remember, Lucas completely lost control.
He surrendered to the insistent urges that had been gnawing at him from the first moment he’d looked into those mysterious grey eyes.
He wanted to taste her, to touch her, to feel the softness of her skin, to strip her clothes away and explore every inch of her.
And then claim what he knew was his.
If he kissed her much longer, he’d do just that, and on a street corner too.
But the thought of releasing her, losing the warmth of her body against his, give up the sweet taste of the brandy on her tongue mixed with that elusive something that said Verity?
No. Just...no.
It might have been an easier decision if she wasn’t running her hand through the hair at the back of his neck, sending delicious shivers through his body.
She could have moved back, parting their lips. Or kept her tongue where it should be, instead of duelling with his and driving him almost insane.
But she did none of those things, telling him silently that she was as engaged in their embrace as he was.
A message that made his heart beat faster.
He could barely breathe, couldn’t remember his name, and slid his hand down the side of her neck, relishing the feel of her pulse throbbing frantically as he deepened the kiss.
Somebody moaned. It could have been either of them, since he pulled her even closer, fitting himself against her with magical ease.
This woman had truly been built with him in mind.
Her breasts warmed the skin beneath his shirt, and he felt the bones of her corset, cursing the damn thing for being in his way.
“Lucas...” She tore her mouth free, gasping for breath.
“Verity...I...”
“Sshhh.” She kissed him again, leaning against him now, moving ever so slightly, like a cat asking to be stroked.
God, he wanted her, he was hard as a rock and growing desperate. More than anything he could remember, he wanted her. And he made a vow to himself, the instant before he released her. He was going to have her.
And soon.
“Lucas,” she panted. “Just...Lucas...”
It took him a moment or two to reassemble his thoughts back into recognisable language. “Are you...did I...”
“Yes, and no,” she answered, getting her breath back. “Yes, I’m all right, and no you didn’t hurt me.”
“All right then.” His head was still spinning as he took her hand and together, they began to walk through the darkened streets, Lucas hoping his arousal would ease before he exploded.
The air had cooled, the stars were twinkling and all things considered, it was a beautiful night.
Few people took notice of the young couple holding hands and walking quietly side-by-side.
Even those who looked more closely wouldn’t have seen anything more than a pretty woman and her beau heading home after an evening out.
Finally—after more than a few minutes passed—he plucked up enough courage to break the silence. “I...”
She pulled on his arm. “Don’t you dare apologise.” The emotions were there and told their own story. She wasn’t cross, or hysterical, or any of the things she might have been.
“I wasn’t going to,” he said quietly. “I wanted to tell you that sometime, soon, I don’t know when or where, but soon...it will be you and I, alone, for longer than a few minutes.”
She was silent for a little while, then she squeezed his hand.
He glanced down and saw the sparkle of her teeth as she smiled.
“Let’s not use a wall next time? I’d rather something more comfortable...”