“Ridiculous,” I say grinning and walk on, “but I kind of like that.”
We walk inside a trendy restaurant I’ve always wanted to eat at, but wondered if I could afford. I want to jump up and down like an excited child. Lathan walks to the front telling the hostess we’ve arrived. Joining me again, he grins, as he slides his hands in his coat pockets.
“Are you shocked by my language?”
“A little.”
“In a good way?”
“Definitely, Lathan. It’s sexy.” Like every inch of you.
“There’s more where that came from.”
“Lathan, party of two,” the hostess calls.
We follow her to our table and Lathan pulls the chair out for me and then takes the seat beside me instead of across from me. He takes the menus handed to us and sets them on the table, twisting to face me.
“We sit on the same side of the table as the woman we’re romancing.”
“Why?”
“So we’re close. So he can smell her fragrance, gaze into her eyes, kiss her between bites. Mostly, so every man in the room knows who she’s with. There is no question the nature of the relationship. They are not friends, not cousins, not siblings. They are lovers. Or they will be. From this point, if I have a choice, I’ll never sit across from you in public. It would be an invitation to other suitors.”
Inside, as my breath catches and I feel fluttering in my stomach, I finally realize what swooning actually feels like, but trying to be cool, I utter the only word that comes to mind. “Neat.” Really, Delaney? “I mean, I like it.”
“I like it too. I think it would be helpful if Americans adopted it since there are so many friendships amongst opposite sexes. It leaves a man wondering.”
“I can imagine.”
“But no man looking at us right now would wonder what my intention is.” He cups my cheek. “He would know without a doubt that, at least for right now, I am yours and you are mine.”
I shake my head. “Do all the men in Havendon speak like you?”
“What do you mean?”
“So poetically? Are you all so romantic?”
“I cannot speak for all my countrymen, but I can say that the art of romance is important to me. I’ve seen many relationships happen based on compatibility, shared goals, family backgrounds. What I haven’t seen are a lot of relationships based on passion. I’ve always wanted that. I guess it’s why I’m not married yet.”
“How old are you?”
“Thirty-three.”
“Oh! I thought you were younger.”
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-three, for a couple more weeks.”
“When is your birthday?”
“The seventeenth.”
Lathan grins. “Unbelievable.”
“Why?”
“My birthday is the seventeenth.”
“Of this month?”
“Yes.”
I’m completely surprised. “What a coincidence.”
“A happy one. We’ll celebrate together.”
“Yeah.”
Our conversation is interrupted when our server comes over. I defer to Lathan to decide our drink and dinner orders since this is how he does it. The next date, I’ll show him how independent American women do a date.
“What are you smiling about?” he asks.
“I was just thinking about our next date. Would you let me take the lead?”
“I will.” He smiles. “I’m just happy you’re considering a next date.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
Our wine is delivered and after taking a sip, Lathan leans close and softly kisses me.
“I will probably do that a thousand times tonight. I adore your mouth.”
I grin. “You haven’t even seen everything it can do yet.”
Lathan smiles. “Ah, but I’ve imagined it.”
“Real life is always better than imagination.”
“I agree.” He sips his wine, searching my eyes. “I told my cousin of you today.”
“Did you? What did you say?”
“I told her you were the loveliest woman I’ve ever met.”
“That’s very sweet.”
“It’s very true.” His eyes settle on my cleavage. “I wasn’t aware you had such assets until tonight, or I would have told her you are straight out of a Renaissance painting.”
“How so?”
“You are the very essence of feminine allure, with softly curved hips, ample bosom, and the most delectable backside I’ve had the pleasure to gaze upon.”
I can’t fight the grin on my face. “That’s a very proper description.”
“Those are the words I would have chosen to share with my cousin. She is, after all, a woman.”
“But?”
“But had I been speaking to my best friend, I would’ve said, she’s nothing but sexy curves with incredible breasts and the sweetest ass I’ve ever seen.”
I grin, leaning closer. “You like my ass?”
“From what I’ve seen, yes. And these,” He lightly brushes his fingers over my cleavage, “I believe I could die a happy man after feeling them on my face.”
Is it hot in here? It feels like it’s hot in here.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“Yeah.” I nod. “I want…” I pause, exhaling slowly.
“You want what?”
I lean a little closer, lowering my voice. “I want to put them in your face.”
Lathan smiles. “Ah, a shared goal.”
“Ready to order, folks?”
I look up at the waiter, feeling my cheeks blush even though he doesn’t know what we were discussing. I can barely sit still in my seat. I want to climb all over the man beside me with his sexy accent and dirty thoughts. No one would ever know by looking at him how much sensuality is simmering beneath the proper European exterior.
The waiter leaves, and I quietly sip my wine wondering what will happen later. Will I invite him in? Will we make love? I glance up at him to find him watching me. Oh yeah. We’re definitely doing it tonight.
“Tell me more about Havendon.”
Lathan nods. “The weather is always warm. We get a nice breeze off the Mediterranean, and it seems the sun is always shining.”
“Opposite of here. What kind of food do you eat?”
“Oh, a blend of many cultures. We have much to choose from, not as much as America, but we have a lot.”
“Did you have a girlfriend before you left?”
“No. I’ve never had a girlfriend.”
I crease my brow. “Really? That’s surprising.”
He studies my face for a moment. “My family is very prominent. Everything we do is scrutinized. Any woman I choose would be under a great deal of pressure, so I haven’t officially dated.”
“I see. That’s why you said bringing an American woman home wouldn’t be good.”
“Right.” He smiles. “I think you would love it though. I think you would fit in, but every woman in the country would hate you.”
“Because I’m American?”
“No, because you’re beautiful.”
I smile, shaking my head. “They don’t have beautiful women in your country?”
“Oh yes, my mother is beautiful. My cousin is lovely.” He takes my hand. “But none could rival your beauty. Not in my eyes.”
“Well, I guess we don’t have to worry about that.”
“Maybe we do.”
I tilt my head. “What do you mean?”
“My cousin reminded me that I’ve never let little things like societal expectations rule my decisions. It would be almost fitting for me to choose an American wife.”
I nearly choke on my wine. “Wife?”
Lathan laughs. “Calm down, Delaney. I’m speaking hypothetically.”
I laugh softly. “Of course.”
“I’m sure you couldn’t possibly see yourself married to me.”
“Not yet.”
“N
o, not yet. My courtship has just begun, and I know it’ll take much more than dinner and poetry to win your heart. You need proof.”
“Proof?”
“Yes. Proof of my affection. Actions over words. Am I correct?”
How the hell does he know that? “Maybe.”
“I will provide proof.”
“And then what?” I pull my hand away. “You’ll court me, romance me, make love to me. I’ll fall in love, and then what, Lathan? You go back home to find a suitable wife?”
Lathan slowly sips his wine. “These are things we don’t know yet. We’ll have to navigate the future. It’s premature at this point. You’re not in love yet. I haven’t made love to you.” He smiles. “Yet. And I’m not going anywhere for a long time.”
“I hope not. I like you.”
“I like you too.”
Our dinner is delivered, and I’m happy for the distraction before I climb on the man’s lap in public. We clink forks and dive in. I have braised short ribs on polenta, and it’s delicious.
“This is one of the best meals I’ve ever had,” I gush.
“It’s quite good.” He smiles. “I was hoping to invite you over for an after dinner drink.”
My heart pounds heavy with anticipation. “I’d like that.”
“Wonderful.”
Now all I have to do is get through this meal without attacking him.
I shift in my seat, discreetly adjusting the sudden bulge between my legs. God, I want her. Enough to throw her down across this table right now. Even in America, that would be scandalous. She doesn’t know what she does to me. The things she makes me think. Ophelia’s words earlier, reminding me of my rebellious streak, suddenly play with my thoughts. Could I invite Delaney to my home? Introduce her as my girlfriend? I pause to think about that for a moment. She’d be followed everywhere. Watched. Hounded. I hate it, and I’m from there. How could I knowingly do it to her? She’d have to stay under lock and key, only going out when I could escort her. She’d lose all the freedoms she has here. I push the thoughts away. It can never happen. No matter how much I wish it could. I’ll just have to enjoy every moment I have with her until the day I’m called home.
Glancing at her, I watch as she savors every bite of her meal. She is beautiful, but my attraction to her is so much more. She’s like me in many ways, and completely opposite in others. She is outspoken, not afraid to defy me, something I’m definitely unaccustomed to. Yet, she defers at times, bending to my choices. I wonder if she will submit to me in bed or assert her own desires? I’m dying to find out.
“Don’t you like your food?” she asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Very much so.”
“You’re not eating.”
“I was lost in thought.”
“About?”
“You.”
“Good?”
“Always.”
She smiles, taking another bite of her dish.
We finish our meal and when the waiter returns I ask to see the dessert menu. “We never did share that piece of cake.”
Delaney smiles. “No, we didn’t.”
“Why don’t we take it back with us?”
“Yeah.”
I order a slice of chocolate cake and pay the check, happy when Delaney doesn’t offer to chip in this time. After bundling up, we walk outside and head to my apartment.
“Was the cold hard to get used to?” she asks.
“At first, yes. I’ve learned how to keep warm.”
“A good coat makes all the difference.”
“As does a good woman.” She shakes her head, smiling. “I’m real,” I remind her.
“I am starting to believe you are.”
I wave for a taxi, opting for that instead of the train. We climb inside and sit quietly on the short ride to my apartment. I hope she likes it. I hope she wants to stay there.
“Here we are,” I say when we pull up. I pay the driver and step out, offering my hand to Delaney. Once on the sidewalk, she looks at the building in front of her.
“Of course,” she says.
“Of course what?”
“You live in the best part of the city. Back Bay? Really?”
My brow furrows with confusion. “You sound displeased?”
“No, it’s just, is there no end to your perfection? You’re educated, sophisticated, exotic, and now, I’m assuming you’re loaded.”
“Loaded?”
“Rich, Lathan.”
I’m speechless for a moment, unsure of how to answer her. This hasn’t been a problem before. “I’m financially comfortable.”
“Financially comfortable?” she repeats. “Right. Okay. Let’s go in.”
“Delaney?” I pull her into my arms. “Don’t be angry.”
“I’m not.” She looks away from me.
“Please tell me what’s wrong.”
“I want you to be…” she pauses, surprising me as her eyes water. “I don’t know how to say it.”
“Try. You can say anything to me.”
“I want you to be flawed. I’m terrified, Lathan. Of you. Of this.” She motions to my building. “It’s so hard to find a good man. Someone who has all his shit together, who’s kind, mature, and…”
“And what?”
“You’re everything I could hope for in a man. I want something to be wrong with you so that I don’t fall. It’s only going to end in heartbreak for me.”
“Hey, we said we’d just be open, didn’t we? We said we’d just try.”
“I don’t know if I can anymore.”
“You can. You’re brave.” I kiss her softly and she relaxes into me. “Delaney,” I whisper against her lips. “I’m scared too. You’re perfect for me, at least what I know of you so far. I don’t want to fall for you either.”
“Then why are we doing this?”
“Because I can’t let you go. I can’t let you walk away. I can’t, Delaney. I won’t. I’m just going to dive in because I have no choice. Now that I’ve seen your face, looked into your eyes, I can’t look away. If I fall, I pray you fall too. Then I won’t be alone in my rebellion. If that happens, my darling, then we’ll figure it out together.” I cup her face. “If you have it in you to walk away from me, then do it now. Do it before I take you inside and make love to you. Do it before I find out how to unlock your heart, or what it feels like to touch you. Do it now because after tonight I won’t let you.”
Her chest moves up and down, heavy with her breath, as her eyes search mine.
“Do you want to leave, Delaney?”
She shakes her head slowly. “No. I can’t.”
“Will you come inside? Will you allow me to continue my courtship? Will you honor me by sharing my bed tonight?”
“Yes, Lathan. Yes, I will.”
We walk up the short flight of stairs to Lathan’s door, and I wait behind him as he unlocks it. My mind is racing almost as fast as my heart. Everything changes as soon as I cross this threshold. I could run right now if my legs would move. My head is telling me this is bad. He’ll break my heart, but then I remember Fallyn’s words. Trust your heart. Trust your gut. They tell me Lathan is the man I’ve always wanted. I just have to believe him that if we fall, we’ll figure it out. He won’t just leave. I won’t allow myself to think past that.
I feel a soft tug on my arm. “Come in, please,” he says softly.
I step inside and look around with my mouth hanging open. As my eyes roam the space, I take in every detail. It’s beautifully decorated. Everything is soft earth tones of cream, tan, gold. Lathan turns on a lamp, illuminating the room with just a hint of soft light.
“Would you like a fire?”
“Yes, that would be nice.”
Lathan walks over to the fireplace, throwing in a few wood logs and getting a nice fire going. As he does this, I walk around, dragging my fingers across wood tables, cashmere throws, marble statues. It’s the most incredible room I’ve ever seen in real life.
Lathan t
urns around, smiling. “Please have a seat and make yourself comfortable.”
“Okay.” I sit on the edge of the cream sofa. It’s big with soft, plush cushions perfect for cuddling.
“Would you care for some wine or coffee?”
“Whatever you’re having.”
“Be right back.”
He disappears into the kitchen as I continue to look around. Even the stack of art books on the distressed wood coffee table is perfectly placed. He must think my place looks like a shoebox compared to this. I guess I should’ve realized he was rich. His clothes are so nice. He wears a fancy watch. Even his shoes make you look twice. It just didn’t register until now.
He comes back in carrying two glasses of red wine. He sets them down on the coffee table, then sits, turning toward me.
“I’m really happy you’re here. I had the place decorated in the hope you would see it.”
My eyes open wide. “You did this for me?”
“Yes. After the night I met you, even though I had no sign that you might ever grace me with your company, I couldn’t stand the idea of inviting you back here. It was so plain. So I hired a designer and asked her to make it nice enough that a woman would want to stay here.”
“I’m blown away.”
“Do you want to stay here?”
“I do. It’s stunning.”
I see his shoulders relax. “Mission accomplished.”
“I’m extremely flattered you would go so far to impress me.”
“I’m extremely flattered you accepted a date with me.”
“Anyone would, Lathan. Anyone.”
“I don’t care about anyone. Only you.” I nod as he lifts our wine glasses, handing me one. “Should we toast American style?”
Smiling, I reply. “Yes. Do you have a suggestion?”
He nods, slightly. “I’d like to toast to…”
“Lathan?”
“Would you toast to your own beauty? Would you allow me to put you on a pedestal and worship at your feet? May I compare your lips to the softest, pinkest rose petals? Your eyes to the richest, sweetest chocolate? May I toast to my most excellent decision to take a cooking class that led me to you?”
I swallow hard listening to him. “Only if I can toast to you. If I can lift my glass in praise of the perfect slope of your nose, the chiseled angle of your jaw, the sensuality of your eyes, the sweetness of your words. If I can binge on your spectacular face and soak in the romance of your mind, if I may toast you, then I’ll allow you the same privilege.”
Unexpectedly Royal Page 9
