by Rose Pressey
Chapter Eighteen
My fear soon turned to relief, then happiness. Nicolas stood in front of the door, looking more handsome and dashing than ever. Okay, I’d said that about him earlier in the light, but now he was wearing a dark suit with a red tie and that made him look exceptionally debonair.
“What are you doing?” I asked with a laugh.
“I’m picking you up for our date.” He stretched his hand out and I took it in mine.
Technically, I’d never called it a date. I thought it was more like a thank-you dinner. Was it a date? I supposed people would consider it a date. His skin was tan against the contrast of his white shirt. He flashed his white smile and my stomach did a flip.
Nicolas held out his hand to me. “Are you ready?”
I nodded. “Um, sure. Where are we going?”
“A place where we’ll have the best seat in the house.” There was excitement in his voice.
The evening was unseasonably warm and the sun had just disappeared. I stepped off the veranda and walked toward Nicolas’ car. He took my elbow and guided me in the opposite direction.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“I told you it would be the best seat in the house.”
I quirked an eyebrow. “Yes, but technically it’s not in the house.”
Nicolas directed me around the house. The soft night air was quiet except for the occasional rustle from tree branches. When we made it to the back, I noticed a table and chairs near the river.
I looked at him. “How did you do that?”
He shrugged. “It wasn’t easy. I thought for sure you’d notice me going out there and setting everything up.”
I had been a little distracted with my new guest and the ghost at my front door, so it was no surprise that I hadn’t seen him. A white tablecloth topped the table and flowed in the breeze. Dishes sat atop the table. When we reached the chairs, Nicolas pulled one out and helped me sit. The bright full moon smiled its approval over the intimate setting. Moonlight cascaded down, highlighting Nicolas’ handsome features. The soothing sound of the water lapping against the river shore lulled me into a trance.
“I couldn’t find a better view at any restaurant in town.” He pointed at the river, then at the sky. “So I decided why not a picnic under the stars?”
I smiled. “That’s a great idea.”
Wait until Liam found out about this. How would he top this? I knew he’d have to try.
“What are we having for dinner?” I asked.
“Well, unfortunately I couldn’t cook. Although you know I’m an excellent chef by my French toast.” He winked.
I nodded with a smile.
“So I ordered food from the Italian restaurant. I hope you like pasta.”
“I love pasta,” I said.
My mind was a bit distracted though. How would I eat with so many thoughts on my mind?
“Thank you for doing all of this.” I pointed at the dishes.
Nicolas poured the blood-red wine into my glass. “It was nothing. It’s the least I can do since you allowed me to come into your home.” He held up his glass for a toast. “To you,” he said.
“To me?” I lightly touched his glass against mine, but had no idea why we were toasting to me.
“For being beautiful,” he offered as if he’d read my thoughts.
I looked down as I felt the heat rush to my cheeks. Okay. He was definitely trying to charm me. What did he want? I was suspicious.
I sat my glass down and stared out at the water. “I should do this more often. Thanks for reminding me how beautiful it is out here.”
“You’re welcome.” He took a bite of his food, then asked. “How long has the manor been a part of your family?”
“For as long as I’ve known. It’s never left family’s hands.” I spun pasta around my fork.
He took a drink, then asked, “Who was the original builder?”
“My great-great-great-grandfather.” I looked away, hoping he wouldn’t ask for more information.
And what did he do? I should have known he’d ask that question. What would I tell him? That he was esteemed in the witchcraft world? That gene surely hadn’t been passed down to me. I had to get more answers from Nicolas. I couldn’t allow him to direct the conversation. I didn’t want to talk about me. I wanted to find out everything about him.
“He was a… a pharmacist.” That wasn’t entirely a lie, right? I changed the subject before he had a chance to ask more questions. “You still haven’t told me what brings you through Enchantment Pointe. I know you have business in New Haven. But what is that business? Tell me about Nicolas Marcos,” I said, then took a sip of my wine and waited for him to answer.
“I am a consultant for people.” He focused on his plate of food.
“A consultant? What do you consult on?” I asked, not taking my eyes off his face.
Okay, now I sounded like my mother. But apparently this was the only way I’d get answers.
“Let’s just say I help them save things.” He took a bite.
That was a weird answer, but before I could ask for more information, a bird flew from a treetop, cawing and capturing our attention.
“The surroundings are great here,” Nicolas said, pointing toward the trees.
I nodded. “Yes, they are, I’m glad you’re enjoying them. You seem to be getting along better with Mr. Rankin.”
“I wouldn’t say we are getting along, but I am tolerating him. If he won’t leave, then I don’t have a choice. He just rubbed me the wrong way on that first day.”
“I guess that’s understandable. Some people just don’t click, I suppose. Is that all you can tell me about yourself?” I pushed.
“There’s not much to tell really.” He took another drink.
“Where are you from?”
“I live in New Orleans.”
“Were you born there?” I asked.
“No, I was born in Bayou L’Ourse. I left for college and never went back,” he said, looking down at his plate.
“What do you do for fun?
This was like twenty questions. He seemed uncomfortable with my questions. But he couldn’t retain his mystery man status forever.
“I don’t have a lot of free time, but I enjoy reading and golf.” His expression eased.
Uh-oh. I was staying out of his golf game. I’d learned my lesson.
“How old are you? If you don’t mind me asking.” I hoped I didn’t sound too rude.
He chuckled. “I don’t mind. What do you think my age is?”
“I’m not very good at guessing things like that.” I grinned.
He fixed his gaze on my face. “Why don’t you give it a shot?”
I looked down to avoid his stare. “Well, if you won’t be offended if I guess incorrectly.”
“Not at all.” He smiled.
“Okay. Are you thirty-two?” I asked.
“You got it.” He stared for a second.
Was he just telling me that? He didn’t have any reason to lie. I didn’t care how old he was though. I had other things on my mind. I hated to ask such personal questions, but it needed to be done. Surely he wouldn’t ask me out if he had a girlfriend, right? That was something I should have asked before I even agreed to have dinner with him.
“Do you have a significant other?” I asked.
He smiled. “No.”
“You’re not married, are you?”
“Of course not. You’re not married, are you?” he asked around a smile.
“Of course not. Don’t you think you would have seen my husband in the house?”
He flashed his perfect teeth again. “Yes, I think I would have. Would you care to dance?” Nicolas reached out his hand to me.
“But there’s no music,” I said.
Nicolas pulled out his iPhone and touched the screen. Music spilled out from the little speaker. It wasn’t loud, but it was just enough for me. I took his hand and we
stepped away from the table. Nicolas pulled me close and my heart sped up. He smelled so good. His gaze traveled over my body and searched my eyes. The smoldering flame in his eyes startled me and excited me at the same time. His nearness made my senses spin.
The song was talking about yearning arms and being lonely. Did he have to pick such a sensuous song?
A lonely rustle of the night wind carried across the air. The stars twinkled overhead and I knew this might be the most romantic evening I’d ever spend in my whole life. And with a stranger. There was no way Liam could top this, right? The grass was hard to dance on, but I didn’t care. I was having fun and that was something that hadn’t happened since… well, I couldn’t remember when I’d felt like this.
When I was in Nicolas’ arms, I was able to forget about everything. I wasn’t worried about pleasing the coven, or not disappointing my mother. For once life was carefree. But all good things must come to an end and my happiness lasted a nanosecond.
