Chapter 8 The Temptation of Candlelight
941 Words
As dusk settled, Eric called Sebastian to let him know that he and Faye would be missing dinner and instructed the driver to head to the restaurant he had booked.
Sebastian responded on the phone, "Sir, Mr. Colin just called to say he's coming home for dinner."
"Oh, really. It's not often my dear brother takes a break from his endless work and social commitments."
Eric glanced over at Faye, who was engrossed in her phone, her head bowed.
Once in the car, Faye had removed her shawl. With her hair up, the kiss marks on her shoulders were clearly visible.
The sight reignited Eric's irritation. His tone became curter.
"My dear teacher, who happens to be my brother's latest love interest, helped me out today, so I'll be treating her to a nice dinner. Let's hope Theodoric enjoys his evening," Eric said, then abruptly ended the call and shoved his phone into his pocket.
Faye looked up, curiosity evident in her eyes.
"Eric, does Mr. Colin rarely come home for dinner?"
"Work and social obligations are Theodoric's true passions. He's the type who'll rush back to work right after an engagement party. The only time you'll see him at home is during a party."
Eric stared at Faye, noticing her fascination with Theodoric, which only seemed to irritate him more.
"He hardly ever makes it home for a regular meal... He must really care about you."
Faye's cheeks flushed at his words, and she turned her face away, feeling self-conscious.
"Eric, you're too kind. I'm not all that special. I'm just his lover."
The word "lover" seemed to sting Eric. He grunted in response and fell silent.
At night, in a private dining room on the top floor of a luxury hotel at the edge of the business district, the scene was set for romance.
A beautiful bouquet of roses adorned the table, and scented candles flickered softly by the window. Exquisite dishes and fine red wine were being served.
The ambiance created a cozy, intimate atmosphere as they enjoyed their dinner.
Faye sliced her steak with elegance while glancing discreetly at Eric.
Despite the pleasant setting, Eric's expression remained tense.
However, his table manners were flawless, his hands deftly handling the knife and fork with the grace of a seasoned gentleman.
As he ate, his demeanor softened.
Watching him, Faye thought about how he reminded her of Theodoric shortly after high school.
Although not twins, the resemblance between the brothers was striking.
In her memories, Theodoric would join her for candlelit dinners at the small table in Benson's manor. Those evenings would often end with a passionate embrace, fueled by the romantic atmosphere.
Lost in thought, Faye took another sip from her wine glass.
To her surprise, this red wine was stronger than what she was accustomed to at the Colin Manor. Even with her tolerance for alcohol, the rich wine made her cheeks flush.
"You'd never guess it, but you actually like this kind of taste," Faye said with a smile, giving her wine glass a little swirl.
Eric watched her, the candlelight accentuating the flush on Faye's cheeks, which made her look even more captivating. He took a few more bites of his steak, clearly intrigued.
After finishing a mouthful, Eric couldn't help but tease, "What? Can't you handle a wine like this, my dear teacher? How are you ever going to teach me proper drinking etiquette if you can't handle something so simple?"
Faye chuckled softly and replied, "Don't underestimate me, Eric. A wine like this won't get me drunk. But you, on the other hand, might want to be careful with this kind of drink in the evening, especially when..."
As she took another sip, a drop of red wine slipped from the corner of her mouth.
It trickled down her neck, flowed over her collarbone, and disappeared into the fabric of her dress.
The sight was intensely provocative.
Faye set the glass down and gently wiped away the wine that had dribbled.
With a slightly dazed smile, she continued, "Especially when you're inviting a woman for dinner."
Eric's eyes were fixated on her face, following every movement of her mouth. The way her white teeth and bright red tongue played peekaboo with each other only stirred his desire more. The steak, no matter how delicious, couldn't quench his hunger.
He downed his wine in one go, then stood up abruptly. Moving to Faye's side, he grabbed her chin firmly and kissed her passionately.
"Mmm... mmm!"
Faye, caught off guard by the intensity of the kiss, struggled to breathe, her hands clutching the fabric of the suit he just changed at the hotel.
The rich, warm wine flowed between their mouths, occasionally spilling over her lips.
Eric's tongue explored her mouth with an assertiveness that made her shiver, moving over her palate and tangling with hers.
"Mmm... mmm..."
With Eric's fervent and somewhat clumsy guidance, Faye finally managed to swallow the wine.
Eric pulled back from the kiss, breathing heavily as he looked up at her.
Faye's face was flushed and dreamy, her lips even redder and more inviting, like a ripe cherry.
The red wine that had spilled left faint trails on her skin, drawing his eyes towards the snug black dress she wore.
'Is this the Faye Theodoric saw last night?' Eric wondered.
He deftly loosened his tie, then lifted the dazed Faye and placed her gently on the only sofa in the room.
"What's the proper way to handle an evening with a woman? Teach me, Ms. Magdalene," he asked, his lips hovering over hers as he leaned in for another kiss.
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