In silence, we studied the menu until the server returned, uncorked the second bottle, and took our order. Smocked spare dibs with sugar cane sauce and potatoes for me, and Andrew asked for salmon with vizcaina sauce on a bed of slow-roasted vegetables.
“Are you a master sommelier?” Andrew asked.
“Oh gosh no. I’m certified. I love wine, know a lot about it, and am good at sales, but I can’t be one of those talented people. They must give up so much. Food, perfume, drinks, soaps, smoking… not that I smoke. I want to own a boutique store where people can sip on their wine, take wine pairing classes, and so on.”
The fourth glass of wine made me relaxed and fuzzy inside.I should drink some water.Working years in the wine business hadn’t increased my tolerance.
“What made you want to open a store?”
“The idea came to me when I met an artisanal olive oil and balsamic vinegar importer at the woman-owned wineries symposium. Her successful life story of going from cleaning toilets in a restaurant to running her company inspired me to have my own business. I took some of her seminars teaching about oils, and,” I said with a shrug, “I know a lot about wines, and the two sort of always go well together.”
I left out that the main reason for this idea was a hope that, in people’s eyes, I would look more noteworthy if I ran my own thriving business.
“How much money do you need to open your store?”
“A lot. Right now, the building is an empty shell. The person I purchased it from gutted it but then stopped their work. The building’s location is perfect, and it has a second floor that I was planning on turning into a small apartment to live in. I know it will take more money to fix it up. And the city has byzantine stipulations when it comes to historical buildings. I’m not against preserving antiquity—I support that—but some rules are a real doozy.” I drew in a deep breath of fresh air. Saying all of that out loud brought the old thrill of becoming a businesswoman, promoting and helping other women-owned companies.
Theconjuntobegan to play a lovely melody and a few couples left their tables and started to dance. Andrew placed his linen napkin beside his water glass and rose to his feet.
“Dance with me?” He offered me his hand.
Nerves, excitement, and drunk adrenaline coursed through me. My body hummed with anticipation of Andrew’s touch, his closeness.
We sauntered to the center of the patio. I had danced before, but I felt out of my depth. My nose twitched. Once. Twice. I glanced up at Andrew. He watched me with tenderness, and a lovely smile adorned his face. It took a lot of restraint not to reach out and trace his lips, running my fingertips over them.
He placed a hand on my mid-back, setting off a wave of goosebumps over my skin. His left hand clasped my right one, and he laced his fingers with mine. I rested my other hand on his shoulder, my fingers barely touching the exposed skin of his neck. It was pure torture not to be able to crush my entire body against his.
We slowly moved to the rhythm of the music. To maintain an even pulse, I tried to control my breathing. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. It didn’t work. My heart beat so fast and loud he probably could hear it. He focused straight ahead, his lips curved up into a relaxed smile. A faint scar I hadn’t noticed before under the crease on his chin stood out among his stubble.
His smile stretched wider, and he dropped his eyes to mine. I averted mine, pretending to study the collar of his shirt. “You’re staring.”
“I wasn’t.” I mustered bravery and met his gaze. “How did you earn this?” I traced the zigzagged skin with my finger.
“Nekhen, Egypt. My grandfather took me for a two-week-long dig at an archaeological site. I tried to balance on two stacked rocks, and it didn’t end well. I broke my wrist and busted my chin.”
I winced. “Ouch.”
“It didn’t hurt as much as my pride. I was trying to impress a girl.” He bent so his lips were near my ear. “By the way, I didn’t see anything in the church.” His breath caressed my skin. “But I did notice your underwear hanging in your bathroom.”
My cheeks caught on fire. I’d forgotten I’d washed my panties and hung them to air-dry. I rested my forehead into his chest and chuckled.
Andrew’s palm pressed me closer, then he moved my right hand up, placing it on his shoulder. I loosely wrapped my arms around his neck, closing the space between us. The world disappeared, and it was only the two of us, swaying under starry skies, blanketed in balmy air. My skin pleasantly tingled where his palm pressed on my back. The warmth of his body penetrated mine, and he lit all my sensitive nerve endings on fire. His heartbeat was strong, and mixed with my own, creating a wonderful symphony in my soul. This moment was perfect. Andrew holding me felt right. Emotions were thick in my throat as I tried not to think about how much I’d miss him when this trip was over.
The song ended too soon. I wished it would go on until sunrise. Andrew and I stopped dancing and stood still, simply embracing each other. Against my own wish, I peeled away from his body and went to our table, our dinner waiting for us. I grabbed my glass of wine and finished it.
After our initial bites, we exchanged pleasantries, and then we lapsed into silence, only stealing a fewdiscreetglances at each other as we ate.
* * *
Feeble light from oil lamps added an enchanting touch to a dimly lit hallway as we silently ambled. The air around us was full of crackling electricity—or maybe it was just me.
When we reached my room, I dug the iron key out of my purse. This time I gripped it tight so I wouldn’t drop it. I turned to steal a last glimpse of Andrew. I swayed.Oops, wine tide.Andrew’s hand moved to my elbow, steadying me. His eyes searched mine, his chest rising and falling with each breath. His grip tightened, and I wanted those fingers to press on the other aroused part of my body. I wanted this man in an undeniable way I’d never experienced.I was a sexually deprived—drunk—grown-ass, woman who could do whatever she wanted.And I wanted to throw myself at him, turning this evening into another deeply satisfying part of this trip. A perfectla finto this adventure. A heartbreaking but mind-blowing fling.
He relaxed his grip, and his hand skated down, his fingers curling around my finger. I glanced down at our linked hands and then lifted my eyes to Andrew’s. His pupils were wide, and his sultry gaze held mine firmly, pinning me in place, and for a moment I hoped he would lean in to kiss me. I bet he was a toe-curling kisser, which would get my heart into a lot of trouble—the heart that was already beating unsteadily at the sight of his smile.
Andrew swallowed. Stepped to me. The air got hot and thick. I tilted my head. He was so much closer, yet there was too much space between us. His lips curved slightly at their corners, and he smoothed my hair off my face, losing me in the gentle touch. His eyes slid toward my mouth.If he doesn’t kiss me now, I will die.He lowered his head, and I closed my eyes, trying to keep breathing despite the lack of oxygen, waiting for Andrew to ravage my mouth, press me against the door, slide his hand around and under my dress, brush his fingers over my clit.
His soft, warm lips pressed against my cheek.
