Candlelight and shadows

chapter 6 Candlelight and shadows

Chapter 6 candlelight and shadows

The next evening I stood in front of my mirror, my lingerie clung to my skin like a secret only Jeremy when meant to discover I couldn't wait I thought about all the things we would do together and it made my heart race, my dress slid over it smoothly concealing this wasn't just didn't it was a taste of him, of me, of everything I thought I wanted

Then a voice came through the door, “Going somewhere?” It was Lara who stood in the hallway, her arms crossed and her eyes sharp.

Then I pretended to adjust my lipstick “nothing just dinner with Jeremy”

Dinner at his place? Girl, you're really serious about this. You know you barely know him, right?

“Don't worry about me I can handle myself”

Refusing to let her spoil the excitement that was growing in my chest

I slipped past her before she could say more

Clutching my purse tightly, nothing was going to ruin tonight, not Lara's suspicion, not my own doubt.

By the time I arrived at Jeremy's apartment, my nerves had calmed down a bit.

Jeremy's apartment smelled faintly like sandalwood and something warm in the oven when the door opened and there he was tall composed and with a stir of warmth

Welcome he said softly stepping aside to let me in

The table was already set, candles flickering but the look in his eyes told me more.

Then I suddenly knew, dinner was only half of what he had planned… across the table all I could think of was how good looking he was his abs defined like a manikin something I wanted to feel inside of me I immediately began to feel hot inside but my cheeks were rosy outside

Then he said You look breathtaking taking your hair is amazing

A man never complimented me this way before Jeremy took note of which made me even more excited

Thank you I responded to covered mouth so the food would not fall off

Then he said “No seriously the ginger fits you perfectly it complements your gorgeous brown eyes”

Oh he noticed my eyes were one of the great features I had but it was hardly noticed but Jeremy noticed and I felt so good that someone finally saw beyond my curves he noticed my eyes

Jeremy's gaze lingered, and before I could look away, he stretched his hands across the table, brushing mine.

His touch felt warm on my skin, steady, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

I laughed nervously and tried to reach for my glass but he stood, moving to pour the wine for me instead. I stood to help but I felt his presence suddenly behind me close enough that I could feel the heat of his body which made me hot too

“Adina…” he said, his voice low, calm, and soothing, almost like a whisper.

I turned gentle, and before I could say anything, his lips found mine. The kiss was gentle at first, testing, but the hunger in it grew, and in seconds, I found his shirt, clutching onto it, and pulled him closer. Suddenly, the world around us blurred into shadows and candlelight.

The dinner, the doubt even Lara's warnings all melted away. All that remained was him, the way his hands explored my waist, the way my heart raced as if I had waited for this moment all along.

He pulled me closer, the kiss deepening as he guided me from the table to the couch.

I allowed him to lead me as if I were his slave following his every instruction.

My dress clung tighter to my skin with every step, and in his arms, I felt seen, wanted, claimed.

Tonight wasn't just about the food. It was about everything I had feared, everything I had longed for, unfolding in his touch. I could feel he was mine, I knew he was.