“Dance with me.” His blue eyes are shining with happiness, and I’m so caught up in the romance, so caught up in him, I just can’t resist him.
“It would be my pleasure.” He pulls me into his arms and begins whisking me around the patio.
“Thank you for the beautiful pearls,” I whisper up to him.
“You are welcome, beautiful. They look perfect on you.” As he sways me back and forth in time to the music, he leans down and places his lips gently on mine.
“You’re good at this.”
He smiles down at me. “The studio made me take lessons.”
“I approve.”
“I’m happy to hear it.” As the song ends he pulls me closer against his chest and wraps his arms around me, planting his lips gently on my forehead. “Come home with me tonight.”
“You’d rather go to your place tonight?”
“Yes. I want you in my bed.”
I smile and run my fingers through his soft blonde hair, soaking in his beautiful face. His eyes are so blue, his freshly shaven jaw chiseled. I’ve never loved anyone so much.
“Okay. I’m going to need a few things from my house.”
His fingers trace my skin just under the pearls and a shiver dances down my spine. “Jules already took care of it.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Pretty sure of yourself.”
“Just hopeful, baby.” He kisses my forehead again, and cups my face in his hands. His lips find my nose, my cheeks and then settle softly on my lips. It’s one of his special, gentle kisses and I sigh as the muscles deep in my stomach begin to tighten.
“Take me home,” I whisper against his lips and his eyes blink open, burning with desire.
He leads me back to the table and I see that our things have been gathered up and most likely taken to the car. The waiter appears with my wrap and handbag and Luke tucks my hand in the crook of his elbow and escorts me back to the car, sliding across the leather seat behind me.
Inside, there is a fresh bottle of champagne and another fresh red rose.
“What is it with you and red roses?”
“You don’t like them?” His voice is worried, and he furrows his brow.
“No, I love them. You’re just spoiling me.” I bury my nose in the blossom and peek up at him through my lashes.
“You look very beautiful right now, in those pearls and black dress and red rose pressed to your face.” He runs his finger down my cheek and I sigh.
“Thank you.”
“Come here.” He lifts me effortlessly onto his lap and I curl into him, burying my face in his neck.
“Tonight was the most magical night of my life, Luke.”
I feel his smile as he kisses my forehead. “Mine too.”
***
“Wake up, baby, we’re home.” Luke is kissing my forehead and brushing my cheek with his fingers.
“I’m sorry I fell asleep.” I sit up and realize I’m still clutching the rose.
“I love holding you while you sleep, baby. Come on, let’s go in.” The driver opens Luke’s door and he lifts me onto the seat next to him, ushering me out ahead of him. He thanks the driver and escorts me into the house.
My feet are starting to feel the effects of these fantastically beautiful shoes, but I don’t want to take them off yet. Luke removes my wrap from my shoulders, skimming his fingers across my skin and just like that my libido wakes up.
“Are your feet hurting?” He’s always so aware of how I might be feeling, and it makes me smile.
“A little, but I’m okay.”
He leans down and scoops me into his arms and begins the journey up to his bedroom.
“You do enjoy carrying me,” I murmur and kiss his cheek.
“It’s for purely selfish reasons.”
“Oh? And what are those reasons?” I kiss his cheek again. I love the way his skin feels against my face.
“Well, one, I enjoy having you in my arms. And two, I don’t want you to take those shoes off yet.”
He carries me into his bedroom and sets me down on my feet in the middle of the room. He flips a switch on the wall and the light on the end table illuminates, throwing soft shadows across the room.
“Let me help you out of that dress.”
I turn around and he kisses my shoulder as he lowers the zipper down the back and slips the straps down my arms. The dress falls and pools at my feet. He holds my hand and I step out of it and turn back toward him.
He gasps and steps back from me, not touching me, and I’ve never felt more beautiful. His eyes are shining with adoration and desire, skimming over my hair and pearls, down to my breasts held firmly in place by a black lace strapless bra. He lowers his gaze over my belly piercing, black lace barely-there panties that match the bra, garter belt, stockings and down to my killer red shoes.
Yes, I know I look amazing right now, and it’s the most powerful, sexy feeling in the world.
I don’t move toward him, I stand where I am, letting him drink me in with his eyes. I slowly reach up and unpin my hair, one thick curl at a time, and let it fall around my shoulders, dropping the pins to the floor.
“You are every fantasy I’ve ever had come true, Natalie.” He swallows hard and flexes his hands in and out of fists, and I know he’s dying to touch me.
I smile softly, not wanting to break this spell, and reach behind me to unclasp my bra and let it join the dress and pins on the floor, releasing my breasts. My nipples pucker under his hungry gaze.
“What would you like me to do now?”
I whisper.
His eyes focus on mine, just a bit glassy like he’s intoxicated, but I know it’s not from the wine we’ve consumed all evening. He closes his eyes briefly, and then starts shedding his clothes, letting them fall unheeded to the floor around him.
Suddenly, he’s standing before me naked. “I’m almost afraid to touch you,”
he whispers.
“Why?” I cock my head to the side, confused. Touch me! Please, for the love of all that’s holy, touch me!
“I’m afraid you’re not real.” And just like that I see the vulnerability in his eyes and I walk to him, raising my hands up his chest, over his shoulders and into his hair. His blue gaze is on mine and I smile tenderly.
“I’m real, and I’m yours.” I push up on my toes and run my lips across his and he shudders, exhaling deeply.
He reaches down and cups my bottom in his hands and lifts me, wrapping my legs around his waist, and walks us back to the bed. But he doesn’t drop me; he wraps his impossibly strong arms around me and lowers me gently, without lifting his lips from mine.