I gaze in awe at the array of chocolate, fruit and cream that has appeared like the most delicious tempting feast.
“Try it all.”
I raise my eyes, and Julius grins.
“A little taste won’t harm, and as I said, there are many willing passengers to finish it off.”
“Who are they?”
I’m curious because I didn’t see anyone else, and he shrugs. “Associates of mine. They travel with me, and I run my business wherever I am in the world.”
“A moving office.” I shake my head. “Goodness, it must cost a lot of money to do business this way.”
“It does.”
I watch as he cuts through a chocolate dessert that makes my mouth water and then stare in surprise as he holds the spoon to my lips.
“Try this.”
I attempt to take the spoon from his hand, and he shakes his head and says firmly.
“Open your mouth, baby girl.”
“I’m not a baby.” I remind him, despite the fact I kind of like the way he says it. It’s almost intimate, a term of endearment that drips like honey off his tongue, leaving a warm sensation inside me.
“No, you are not, but you also have a lot to learn about life outside a convent, and as we have time on our hands, I’m happy to help.”
“To help.” I laugh out loud and grin. “You don’t strike me as a man who does this kind of thing very often, Julius.”
“What type of man do you think I am?”
He nods toward the spoon, and I hold his gaze as I slide it into my mouth, my lips closing around it, and the pleasure of the explosion of delicious decadence on my tongue almost euphoric.
His attention is rather unnerving as he openly stares with a strange gleam in his eye, and when I finish, I groan. “That was so good.”
“It appears so.”
His attention is all-consuming and I wonder if it would be rude to grab the dish and devour it without asking, and as if he reads minds, he pushes it toward me.
“Finish it.”
He leans forward, his gaze strangely hypnotic, and says in his husky whisper, “You never answered my question.”
“You are–” I cut into the dessert, and my spoon hovers between us as I whisper, “A man who likes to control situations.”
“You’re not wrong.”
His eyes flash. “What else?”
I glance down at the chocolate that is tantalizingly closeto my lips, and the heady scent of cocoa beans curls around my taste buds, promising a decadent treat. I glance up and, melting under the scrutiny of his gaze, I whisper, “Strong, brave and yet kind and considerate.”
I guide the spoon into my mouth and as I swallow there is an undeniable energy building and I can’t look away and yet before he can react a man appears and coughs discreetly, causing Julius to say firmly, “Is there a problem?”
“I need a word, boss.”
Julius kicks back his chair and tosses his napkin onto the table, a blank expression settling over his face as he says softly, “Finish your meal, Rose. Amanda will be back soon and offer you coffee, tea, or something a little stronger. Make certain to ask for one of everything.”
My breath catches as his gaze burns into mine and he whispers, “Every experience, remember. You must try them all.”
