“Please,” Luke says while pulling out the wooden chair for me.
I take the seat, releasing a slow exhale in an attempt to calm down my thundering heart rate. The hostess pours us each a glass of champagne before exiting. Violin music from the level below where other patrons are seated is floating up to us. It’s beautifully elegant.
Luke sits across from me. He pulls out his cell phone and snaps a photo of me staring out at the ocean.
“I’ve been needing a new screen saver for my phone,” he says before pocketing the device.
I reach across the table, grabbing his fingers.
“Thank you for bringing me here. This is...a dream come true.” Emotion is building in the back of my throat.
He lifts his glass to mine, clinking the rims together. “To many more sunset dinners, in all the places you’ve only ever dreamed about.”
I laugh, tipping the edge of the glass over my lips. “Okay, but I need to bring a sketch book and my colored pencils with me to draw it next time.”
A man in a suit comes up the stairs with a glass bottle filled with water and two glass cups. He has an impressive handlebar mustache.
“I’m so pleased you’ve finally given us another visit, Mr. Bradshaw. And you’ve brought a lady friend! Hello, my dear, I’m Andre. You’re enjoying the view, yes?”
I nod. “Oh, yes. It’s breathtaking. I wish I could sleep up here in a hammock.”
He smiles, filling each of the water glasses for us. “Shall I give you an overview of the special tonight?”
Luke nods. “Before you do, is the rooftop available tomorrow night?”
Andre nods. “It’s always available to you, Mr. Bradshaw.”
“Great. We’ll need it set up with a sketchpad and colored pencils. Don’t bother telling us the specials. We’ll just try one of everything.”
I sigh, taking another slow sip of my champagne. Andre bows and leaves us alone. Luke extends a hand.
“Dance with me?”
I take it, letting him guide me over to the space beside the firepit. He pulls me close, guiding my hands up around his neck before resting his around my lower back.
“Have I mentioned that you look stunning this evening?” He mumbles, pressing his forehead to mine.
“I think you did, yes.”
“I’m still getting used to this.”
“To what?”
“Not looking over my shoulder, waiting for an attacker.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sure it’s hard to adjust back to feeling safe and living a normal life after all that.”
He reaches up to trace his thumb around my lips. “You make it easier. Being with you makes me feel...calm and normal. You keep me grounded, reminding me what it feels like to enjoy life again. I didn’t enjoy life for a very long time, before I met you.”
I study the flecks of gold in his eyes, tilting my head back. “Good. I like being with you too.”
He kisses me then, lips softly pressing to mine as we sway back and forth. He presses his hips into me, our bodies flush. I’m gasping when he finally pulls back, his gaze growing heated.
“I invited Fallon and Garrison to lunch tomorrow.”
My eyes widen with surprise. “Really?”
“Yeah, we’ll take the yacht out so you can see the coast from the water.”
