Arik #2
Moments later, her attention returned to me as she placed her phone face down on the white tablecloth and spoke. “I am so sorry.”
“There is nothing to be sorry about. I would hope your parents are checking on you when you are in a foreign country by yourself,” I replied, my expression filled with understanding and reassurance.
“Well, thank you. I know it’s not polite to take calls at the dinner table.” She smiled back at me, and I felt the warm touch of her hand against my arm.
I smirked, raising my eyebrow at her. “But wow. Already soft launching me to your mother.”
Claire ran her shoulder into mine as our laughter filled the space around us. She whispered, her eyes narrowing, “Oh, stop. What was I supposed to do?”
Her tone changed, mimicking my accent as she rolled her eyes, “Mr. I Think I Am Obsessed.”
I wrapped my arm around the back of her chair and leaned in, kissing her forehead. I whispered low, “I meant it then, and I still mean it now.” I felt her body rise as she took a deep breath before I continued, “Next time, tell my mother-in-law I said hello.”
Claire sighed deeply, her palm sitting against the space between her eyebrows as she shook her head and laughed. “I need a glass of wine.”
Just as her eyes began to explore through the dense branches and leaves, searching for a glimmer of the sights of the dining room, Vin appeared. The void of his silence was replaced by his swift movements as wine, bread, olive oil, and assorted appetizers filled the tabletop.
“I can’t believe I am saying this after how much we ate today, but I am starving!” Claire exclaimed as she tore a piece of hot bread from the basket and selected prosciutto and melon from the display of ornate foods.
I absolutely love watching your pleasure—even if it is just a simple antipasto.
The feeling of Claire’s satisfaction as the meat and fruit danced across her tongue brought me to the edge of my seat. Part of me was savoring every second I was blessed to be in her presence, while the other part of me was contemplating the myriad of ways I could steal her away.
Wine poured from a decanter into our glasses as plates began to appear. Medium rare prime steak, classic tomato pasta with sprigs of basil, and minestrone soup graced the table with aromas that made the alcove burst with richness.
“I know I said I was hungry, but…this can’t all be for me,” Claire said slowly, overwhelmed by the sight.
“Ah. You have not learned yet that I thoroughly enjoy sharing pleasurable things with you.”
I smiled, giving her a wink as pink flooded her cheeks. I sliced my knife into the steak with ease as twinges of pink blood mixed with the juices that ran onto the plate.
“You like steak, yes?”
“I’ve never met a steak I didn’t like,” Claire joked back as my fork approached her lips, and she parted them. Her eyes looked up at me, glimmers of gold swimming within them as she awaited my service. I could not help but lick my lips as I watched hers press together in satisfaction.
Her eyebrows raised in surprise. “Wow. That is incredible!”
My smile widened as I spiraled the fork into the pasta and began to feed her, enjoying every sound she made as the flavors swirled in her mouth.
“Wait.” She stopped me as I began to spoon the minestrone. “When is it your turn to eat?”
There are two things I am hungry for, but neither of them can I have in this crowded restaurant.
“When you are satisfied, love. You always come first,” I whispered lowly into her ear as I felt the heat begin to bubble in her body in my response.
She raised her hands to her face in embarrassment, trying her best to shield my view of her uncontainable smile. “You’re…too much,” she said as her giggles filled the alcove, muffling the violin music.
“Ah, you laugh. But you thoroughly enjoyed our interaction with Jennifer,” I replied, my brows raising as I recounted her feelings of satisfaction.
“Yeah…I was waiting for you to mention that,” she quipped as her glass of wine met her lips.
“Oh, you do not like it? That bothers you?” I questioned, leaning back into my chair to face her.
Claire set her wine glass back on the table and took a deep breath. She held it in her chest momentarily before slowly exhaling.
“I just think it’s…an exaggeration,” she said as she looked away toward the dining room, guarding her emotions.
“I don’t believe it to be an exaggeration,” I replied stoically as her gaze met mine again. “Do you not like the label?”
“I…” Claire closed her eyes and shook her head softly.
“Stop, Claire,” I said as my hand reached up to hold her chin, pulling her in to face me. “You’re fighting something that is utterly inevitable.”
Claire’s chin dropped against my hand as her mouth opened in shock. Without pause, I fed the spoonful of minestrone into her mouth.
We ate in silence as I took turns feeding Claire and then myself. Her emotions felt wild, quickly stirring back and forth in a secret battle within her. Our silence did not lift until the tiramisu arrived.
“Tiramisu is my favorite,” Claire said excitedly, now willingly opening her mouth with anticipation for every bite.
“You said tomorrow we’re going to the beach?” she asked.
“Yes. The beach,” I replied as the cocoa powder sprinkled dessert filled the spoon within my hand.
“The one with all the umbrellas?” Claire asked.
“God, no. Too many tourists. I am taking you to arguably the best beach in all of Scalea,” I responded.
“What’s it called?” she questioned with curiosity.
“Oh, so you can do your research and spoil my surprise. That is a no.” I laughed as she shrugged her shoulders in acceptance.
Once the final spoonful of tiramisu was gone, I stood and pulled Claire’s chair out with ease. The restaurant was nearly empty, and the music that once filled the air was now gone. My heart began to ache in anticipation of having to leave her side in the coming minutes.
As Claire’s hand sat within mine, we walked through the lobby, the only sound at this hour was the splashing and trickling of the grand fountain. Gone were the tourists, guests, and the daytime staff as the overnight receptionist stood quietly at his post.
As we approached Claire’s villa suite, I could feel her anxiety rising. I quickly pulled her body into mine. “I’m going to be a perfect gentleman, kiss you at your door, and see you tomorrow.”
“I…don’t understand…” she mumbled; her brows stitched together with confusion.
“I have tried my best to make my intentions perfectly clear,” I replied as I looked down at her, fighting every urge and desire that was clawing just below my calm surface.
“I mean, I’m not opposed…” she began.
I could feel disappointment and insecurity beginning to swirl within her. I scanned the garden, looking for any signs of life among the roses, before pressing her body up against her door with swift precision. She gasped at my movement as her head cradled into my hand, shielding it from the door.
I kissed her deeply with violent ferocity as her mumbles and moans filled my mouth until her knees buckled and I had to use my strength to keep her upright. I pulled my lips from hers as she stood there, mouth agape, begging for more.
“If you knew the things I would do to you…you’d be running,” I said slowly into her gaping mouth.
She inhaled sharply and opened her eyes—they were filled with both desire and dread.
I bit her bottom lip gently, before whispering like I was telling her a secret, “You are going to need to be fully rested before I get my hands on you.”
Claire blankly stared as I pulled her room key from her hand and pressed it against the lock. The mechanical whirring of the lock as it opened the door pulled her back into the moment.
“I guess this is goodnight then?” she asked as I pushed the door open, exposing the empty, dimly lit room.
“Unfortunately,” I said as I felt her body release from mine.
She bit her lip, giving me a sorrowful expression as she entered the room, closing the door quietly behind her.
As soon as I heard her sandals fall to the floor, I walked in silence to the next door. The room key from my pocket opened the door as the warm light of the string lights from the garden illuminated the pristine bed. I closed the door gently before making my way across the room.
My head rested against the crisp pillow as its feathers gently gave under the pressure. The walls of the villa suite were thick from the original stone walls that sat just behind the years of plaster. This space, this mere few feet of space between us, made my body ache.