I set them down on a side table in the living room before I go back into the kitchen and start a brew.
Katie throws a random glance my way before she turns her attention back to cooking. “How does it smell?”
“Amazing.” I tilt over and check what she’s making.
Fancy.
“Where did you learn to cook like that?” I pour myself some coffee.
“My mother. She owns all the books.” She giggles.
“Well, your family’s very lucky.”
“My husband cooks even better, you’d be surprised.”
“Wow.” I take a sip, checking the time out of the corner of my eye.
I simply can’t wait.
By seven-thirty, Katie’s done and collecting her belongings to go.
“I can’t thank you enough.” I give her an appreciative look.
“What?” She shrugs and titters. “I cooked. Like every day.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Have fun, Mr. Downton.” She grins before she picks up her jacket and leaves.
Taking two steps at a time, I make it up to my room in a rush and check myself in the mirror. I’m already wearing my favorite outfit, so I reach for the most expensive bottle of French cologne on the dresser and sprinkle some on my neck and wrists.
Frankie taught me where to position my fragrance.
I chuckle at the thought.
A final scan of my appearance leaves me satisfied. I don’t look half bad for a man of twenty-eight. If only the cruel sun hadn’t given me those premature lines.
Well… she’s coming, isn’t she?
At exactly eight o’clock, the doorbell rings, prompting my heart to beat faster within my chest as I set down the last plate and make my way over to the door.
The moment my eyes land on her, I catch my breath. She’s wearing a peach sheer dress that hugs her figure tightly in all the right places, accentuating her waist, hips, and breasts. I don’t miss the fact that it’s simple and modest, too, with a narrow neckline and a sleeveless cut that shows off her shapely arms.
Her small diamond necklace graces her collarbone. Her hair was half up in an effortless bun, leaving tresses and locks elegantly dangling around her face and along her long neck.
“It’s getting’ chilly out here. You can start by letting me in,” she whispers, and my eyes finally ascend to meet hers.
Chuckling, I lead her to the dinner table, and we start to eat. She praises Katie’s culinary skills, while all I want to do is kneel down and praise the Lord for the beauty he sent my way.
We shoot the breeze and laugh, and it’s all smooth and natural. A few glasses of wine later and we’re sitting side by side on the big sofa by the fire. The room is dimly lit and the perfume she is wearing is musky and heady, intoxicating my senses and giving my body all the more reason to yearn.
A moment of silence ensues, and she looks up at me from under her long lashes.
“What?” she asks with a low voice, almost a whisper only I can hear.
I take her glass from her hand and, leaning over, I set it down on the coffee table before softly kissing her. Her lips welcome mine as she closes her eyes, her bottom lip pressing against mine in a demanding gesture.
Once again, I close my eyes. Once again, she pulls away.
I furrow my eyebrows and stare deep into the center of her dark blue irises.
“Belle—”
“Jake.” She sits straight, her palm lightly settled against my cheek. “If you’re going to hurt me, let’s not do this. I promise I won’t chase after you.”
“What?” I pull back, my eyes searching hers for meaning.
“I can’t have my heartbroken.” She slowly moves her head once to the side. “And I don’t think I deserve it, either.”
My heart stops.
I physically feel it in my chest, as if it’s a creature in its own right, holding its breath in the unexpectedly intense moment.
I’ve never met a strong woman with her beauty who was also capable of such vulnerability on a first date.
For a moment, I try to channel all of my feelings through my gaze, pleading for her to trust me. To believe that I would never mean her any harm.
“I’m a good man, Belle,” I whisper. “I’m a real good man.”
I wait for her to kiss me, and luckily for my heart, I don’t have to wait too long. She inches closer, pressing her lips against mine, a kiss that reminds me of our first time upstairs.
Slowly, she tests the waters, hesitant and featherlight as she inches closer to me. I