Page 21 of Only Ever Mine

But the Valens didn’t second-guess themselves.

Scarlett, however, was proving to be the one exception to my usual confidence.

When my car finally pulled up in front of Amélie, she was already outside waiting.

And dang it—she was stunning.

She wasn’t dressed up in a designer gown or dripping in diamonds. Scarlett didn’t need any of that.

She was in a sleek black dress that hugged her curves just right, her hair pinned up, exposing the delicate slope of her neck.

She slipped into the passenger seat, the scent of vanilla and something distinctly her wrapping around me.

“You’re punctual,” she noted, fastening her seatbelt.

“I’m motivated.”

She arched a brow. “Motivated?”

I smirked. “To make sure you actually enjoy this dinner.”

She shook her head but couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at her lips.

Yeah. Motivated was an understatement.

The location was intimate—candlelit, private, and far from the noise of the city. Just the two of us.

When Scarlett realized who would be cooking for us tonight, her eyes widened in disbelief. “No way.”

I grinned, enjoying her rare moment of speechlessness. “You like the surprise?”

She turned to me, something warm flickering in her gaze. “You… actually paid attention.”

“I always pay attention.”

That caught her off guard. She looked away, but not before I saw the color rise to her cheeks.

The food was exceptional. Course after course, expertly prepared, paired with the finest wine. But honestly, I barely tasted any of it.

Because every time Scarlett spoke, I found myself completely entranced.

She told me about her first time stepping into a real professional kitchen.

The way it had felt like stepping onto a battlefield and falling in love all at once.

I told her about my father, about the weight of the family empire.

About how I’d learned early on that wanting something and earning it were two very different things.

She listened. Not just politely—but truly listened.

And when she spoke, I found myself wanting to know more.

By the time dessert was served, something had shifted between us.

Something dangerous.

Something inevitable.

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