I haven’t wanted to stay away ever since I kissed her up on that fucking stage.
I’ve thought of her every fucking minute and second since. I’ve showered thinking of her. I’ve sprinted on my treadmill thinking of her. I’ve sat in my office, staring out at the city thinking of her. Hell, I’ve even tried to jerk myself off to the thought of her so many fucking times. But all I’m ever left with is this hollow sensation and an absence on my cock, wishing it were Selene instead.
Apparently, I’m weak when it comes to her.
She’s consumed me without even trying.
So, at this point, I will do whatever I can to keep her closer than I’ve managed in the past several years. Instead of distance, I only want her near.
Standing over her as she pulls herself closer to the table, I look down. Her blonde hair cascades down her back and shoulders. As if it has a mind of its own, my hand reaches out and brushes her hair. She stiffens and inhales a breath as I tuck my fingers under her golden strands. I pull her hair back, revealing her bare shoulder. Tiny goosebumps spread across her skin as my fingers graze her delicate flesh.
I glance around as eyes wander in our direction. Even if they weren’t watching, I’d keep going.
Bending forward, I bring my mouth close to Selene’s ear. She smells like vanilla and sunshine.
I don’t miss how she leans her head slightly into me.
“Hungry, Wallflower?” I whisper, my breath causing her goosebumps to rise again.
I can practically feel her body humming.
“St…” she starts, pausing to swallow. “Starving.”
I smirk, then stand, moving around the table to sit across from her.
The table is set with two appetizer plates and cloth napkins folded perfectly in the shape of a heart. Between our plates sits a small votive candle, burning delicately inside a smoked glass jar.
I stare at her from where I’m sitting, taking note of how different she looks. Her outfit is drastically unlike than the ones I’ve seen her wear to other events and functions. This one isn’t obvious or loud. It compliments her, and somehow it feels like I’m looking at her for the very first time when really, I’ve been watching her for years.
She’s a vision of creamy golden tones and sunshine, like watching the sun waking up over the Hudson, just when it’s barely peeking over the horizon.
Catching me staring, she levels her gaze on me and arches a brow.
“Have you ever been here before?” I ask, unable to hold back my smile.
Our server walks over, pouring iced water into each of our glasses. I point to the most expensive wine on the list and wait for Selene to answer my question.
She gifts our server a soft, warm smile, then nervously glances around. Straightening her back, she clears her throat and fusses with the silverware laid out beside her plate.
“No, I haven’t.”
“What?” I chuckle, relaxing back into my chair. “You’re telling me Adam never brought you here? Or places like this?” I rest my elbow on the arm of my chair, mostly to keep my handsbusy and distracted. All they want to do is touch the woman across the table.
I must have struck a nerve because Selene’s expression has changed. Instead of an air of lightness surrounding her, she almost looks uncomfortable now.
“I’m sorry.” I never apologize. Not to anyone other than Selene, apparently. “I didn’t mean to bring him up.” Guilt sits in my bones. A feeling I’m not accustomed to.
“But you did.”
“I did.”
She shifts her gaze, turning her face so I’m staring at her profile. Her lips are pressed tightly together. Then she surprises me when she says, “Adam was a liar.”
I adjust in my seat as she turns her face back to mine.
Her eyes have softened, and I recognize the look almost immediately. She isn’t heartbroken. It’s regret in her expression. I barely knew Adam, and from what I do know their relationship didn’t last long. I tried to stay out of their relationship, but if I’m honest, I probably know more about Adam than Selene thinks I do.
“He was one of those men that would bring cookies to a dinner party, telling you he spent all day baking them from scratch when all he really did was tear open the package and pour them out onto the plate.”
