Page 73 of Heart of The Night

I pulled away gently, looking up at him with a playful glint in my eyes, still holding his hand. ‘If you cook as well as you kiss, this is going to be a delicious evening.’

‘Oh, I promise, dinner will be just the start of the delights tonight.’ He smiled crookedly, a spark of mischief in his eyes as he took my purse from me, setting it on the console table.

I stroked his chest with the hand that wasn’t holding his, grinning. ‘What’s on the menu?’

‘Endless flirtation, tender caresses, and sultry stares,’ he said, giving me a wink. ‘With a side of seafood linguine.’

I laughed. ‘Sounds like the kind of meal that will leave me wanting more.’

He leaned in closer and raised my hand to his mouth, kissing the back of it as he held my gaze. ‘Good, because I plan on satisfying your appetite all night long.’

I blushed under his lustful stare, feeling a throb between my legs.

His eyes crinkled with amusement as he observed my reaction. ‘I’m afraid I’m not the starter,’ he said smugly, ‘but you can definitely have me for dessert.’

I wanted him for a lifetime, not just for dessert.

‘I guess I’ll have to save the best for last,’ I said, returning his smile.

He chuckled, and I loved how flattered he looked. It thrilled me to see that I could make him feel so confident and appreciated.

‘I’m afraid so. Until then,’ he closed the door behind me, ‘would you like a glass of wine?’

‘I’d love one,’ I said and took off my shoes.

He led me into the living room, where a bottle of chilled Sauvignon Blanc sat on the dining table. A smile tugged at my lips as I took in the scene: a bouquet of fresh lilies stood at the centre, surrounded by softly flickering candles. The gleaming silverware and crystal wine glasses caught the light, casting tiny prisms around the room.

William poured us each a glass, the pale golden liquid shimmering as he handed me one.

‘To us,’ he said, raising his glass. His tone imbued the simple phrase with such tenderness that my heart ached with joy.

Smiling, I clinked mine against his. ‘To us,’ I echoed, savouring the weight and beauty of those two small words.

His eyes lingered on mine as we sipped our wine, the intensity of his gaze sending a flutter through my chest. It was surreal to think that I was actually dating this man, that someone as perfect as him could exist. It wasn’t that I felt unworthy; it just seemed more like a dream than a reality.

Setting his glass on the table, William pulled out a chair for me. As I sat down, he went into the kitchen, bringing back a steaming dish of seafood linguine, the aroma making my mouth water. The dish was a feast for the eyes: delicate strands of pasta perfectly twirled and interspersed with plump mussels, succulent shrimp, and vibrant cherry tomatoes. Fresh herbs were scattered artfully over the top, and a light drizzle of oil glistened in the soft light. A wedge of lemon, placed on the side, added a final touch of colour.

I looked up at William, my lips parted with incredulity. ‘Have you actually made this yourself? Or did you send the chef out right before I arrived?’

He chuckled, taking a seat across from me. ‘Looks can be deceiving,’ he said. ‘Don’t judge it until you’ve tried it.’

I took a bite, the flavours bursting on my tongue – the briny tang of the mussels perfectly complemented by the garlic and white wine sauce, with the linguine cooked just right, soaking up every delicious drop.

‘Well, it tastes even better than it looks,’ I said, my eyebrows arched with disbelief. ‘You’ve really outdone yourself. Daphné would be proud.’

He grinned, reaching for his fork. ‘I’m glad you like it.’

I kept my eyes on his face, smiling. Sometimes, I had to just savour the view of him. He was, without a doubt, the most handsome man I’d ever seen, and he was all mine.

He twirled a forkful of linguine and brought it to his mouth, his square jaw tightening and relaxing rhythmically as he chewed. I found myself inexplicably drawn to the sight, heat pooling low in my belly. Was there anything he could do that I wouldn’t find arousing? I doubted it more and more with each passing day.

Suppressing a groan, I rolled my eyes at my own reaction. William didn’t seem to notice, lost in his own thoughts, a slight furrow forming between his brows. Was he thinking about work again? Probably.

After a moment, he cleared his throat and shifted his gaze back to me. ‘Speaking of my parents, there’s something I should tell you.’

I froze with the fork halfway to my mouth, my thoughts scattering in a thousand different directions, most of them alarming. ‘Okay?’

Setting his fork down, he reached for his glass of wine and took a sip. ‘There’s good news, and then there’s the kind that depends on how you look at it. Which do you want first?’

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