Page 20 of Chasing the Flame
I jolt, quickly placing my phone back in my bag, coming to Luke’s side. “This meeting is crucial. There’s a lot of funding for the plant riding on this dinner. Do you understand?” He asks, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear.
My stomach churns, but I nod in agreement, and his smile brightens. “Good, let’s go.” He grabs my hand, placing it in the crook of his arm as we take the stairs. The industrial and rustic elements of the restaurant are entwined together seamlessly.
The oak door that greets us is intricately carved with swirling patterns, and the iron handle clicks as Luke opens the door. Inside, we’re met with dim lighting and lush, dark green walls in the center of the room. Dark brick accents, copper, and iron elements line the walls in perfectly placed points.
None of it is overwhelming or gaudy. No, all of it creates a picturesque scene.
A long, U-shaped table sits before the brick wall, showcasing a beautiful bar with what appears to be top-shelf liquor on full display behind it. Industrial-looking stools line the counter, and several patrons fill the seats, sipping on elegantly designed drinks.
It isn’t long before the hostess greets us, a young-looking thing with dark brown hair and honey-brown colored eyes. She seems to know precisely who Luke and I are, which doesn’t surprise me, considering the town is small, and Luke tends to name-drop wherever he goes. The Blackthorne’s are prominent figures of society, no matter how you dice it. Luke swears they’re ‘old money’, having inherited from ancestors long ago.
None of that ever really mattered to me. I had my career and pursuits, and knew what I wanted from a relationship. Luke saw an opportunity to mold an impressionable woman into his image. At twenty-five, I hadn’t seen much of the world—until Luke.
I’m not sure why I’m so focused on the past. Maybe I’m trying to convince myself that this move will be different. Thathewill be different.
I know better, he’s already proven he’sincapable of change.
All too soon, we’re seated at a booth in the back of the room. The dark leather is incredible, and the booth is shaped like a half circle. The dark wooden table is decorated with elegant china covered in gold leaves, ecru tones, and swirling patterns. Matching hunter green napkins secured neatly around gold silverware are placed beside our plates, and the hostess has already taken it upon herself to place two glasses of house wine on the table.
No one else is here, so we slide in, taking a corner of the oversized booth. Raising the elegant wine glass to my lips, I take my first sip, utterly enthralled with the divine flavor. Luke’s gaze turns disapproving, but I can’t bring myself to give a single flying fuck. I’m going to enjoy this wine, and he can fucking deal with it.
The wine is sweet, with hints of tangy spices mixed throughout. There’s a flavor in this wine I can’t quite put my finger on, but before I can think on it too long, a beautiful blonde bombshell comes our way.
She’s tall, willowy, with her hair neatly pulled back in an elegant chignon. “Luke,” she drawls, leaning in to kiss both of his cheeks in the most over-the-top greeting I’ve ever seen. The hairs on the back of my neck stick up, and my hackles raise. Whoever this woman is, she’s familiar with my husband. The thought is like a knife to my gut. An ugly twist of jealousy surges through me as vivid images of the two together dance in my mind.
“Amelia, how lovely to see you. You’ve completely transformed this place,” my husband says, his gaze traveling lower to her ample breasts on display from the deep V of her cocktail dress. I bristle, though, neither of them notice. “This is my wife, Averie. Do you remember me telling you about her?”
There’s a glint in Luke’s eye that I don’t care for, one that makes me think the conversation wasn’t quite in my favor. “Of course,” she purrs, turning to me with a wicked grin.
“You look stunning in that green. It makes your eye color pop.” Amelia leans in, her hand reaching for mine and squeezing it lightly. Her eyes glint mischievously, and my gaze dips lower to the swell of her breasts nestled underneath a strange-looking pendant.
It’s a teardrop, attached to a black chain that screams obsidian to my witchy brain. Golden shimmering veins thread throughout flames that remind me of a phoenix. On the right of the pendant is an eerie-looking beast. Horns grace its head, but it’s the golden eyes draw me in, shooting goosebumps along my spine. “You have such gorgeous natural red hair, and those pouty lips! Girl, you’re a fucking ten!”
The compliments take me by surprise, suspicion coiling in my gut. Is Amelia…flirting with me? Luke’s gaze darkens, taking in the two of us with such a primal look that heat flushes my whole body. Luke knows about my past and all those experimental nights. I enjoyed the occasional hookup with a woman and can certainly appreciate the female form. Is that what this is? Has he decided he’s okay with sharing as long as he gets something out of it, too?
Over my dead fucking body.
“Thank you, Amelia,” I say coolly, not bothering to spare her another glance. Luke grips my thigh under the table, squeezing tightly, reminding me that poor manners will not slide.
“I love your dress.” The words leave my lips in a squeak, sounding ridiculously weaker than I was going for. Amelia smiles brightly at me, patting the back of her hair as if checking for stray strands.
“This old thing?” She asks, her hand trailing down to rest along the pendant’s edge. “It’s been in my closet for over a year, and I finallyfound a use for it. I’m so glad Dane was able to open the restaurant this year. It’s been wonderful having a place for the members to meet—”
“Yes, how fortunate.” Luke interrupts her, giving her an icy stare that immediately shuts her up. “We’re waiting on the rest of our party. Have a great night, Amelia.”
Amelia’s cheeks flush in embarrassment, and she dips her head before turning on her heel and exiting the restaurant.What was that about?
Three gentlemen enter the restaurant seconds after her departure, one of whom I recognize as my father-in-law, Donald Blackthorne. My stomach churns, nerves flitting around my stomach like butterflies. I’ve only had a handful of encounters with my father-in-law, each one leaving me feeling like I’m covered in filth.
Luke is the spitting image of his father, right down to the sandy blonde hair. As they approach our booth, I realize that three women trail behind them, each dressed in gaudy outfits with lots of bangles and big earrings. Sighing heavily, I take another sip of my wine, setting the glass back on the table with a thud.
“There’s my gorgeous daughter,” Donald says, coming to my side of the table. He takes my hand, kisses my wedding rings, and pats it gently before saying, “How are you two getting settled in? Is this old bird treating you well?”
I blink, unsure how to answer my father-in-law, but before I can speak, he laughs. “Of course he’s treating you well, just look at you. You look like you stepped out of a magazine with that ensemble.”
I steal a glance at Luke, only to find him staring at me with a look that can only be described as calculated. It’s like he’s itching for me to flirt with his father so he can have an excuse to torment me with it later. “We’re settling in nicely, Father. Thank you for asking,” Luke says, his predatory gaze slipping to his fathers. The men exchange asmirk before Donald waves a hand to the other two gentlemen beside him.
“Luke, you already know John and Fred Jennings. This is my son’s wife, Averie. Now that we’re all here, why don’t we get down to business?”
