LOST

Chapter 6

Ella’s POV

I shifted nervously in my seat, my gaze flicking between Arthur’s muscular frame and the window, then back to him. My heart felt like it was tightening in my chest.

“Breathe, Ella… just breathe,” I told myself.

Yeah, right. As if that was even possible, my subconscious snickered.

I rolled my eyes at the voices in my head. Why couldn’t they be supportive now?

Determined to prove them wrong, I tried to steady my breathing and focused on Arthur again. This time, I didn’t just glance at him; I really looked at him. Every detail.

His hands gripped the steering wheel effortlessly, his strong, well-defined frame fitting the leather seat as if it was made for him. His black shirt clung to his body, perfectly tailored like it was a second skin. And his hair... it was silky, chestnut brown, framing his face in a way that made me wonder how anyone could look this good.

I couldn’t tear my gaze away. Then, I saw the corner of his lips curve up into a smile, and my heart skipped a beat.

Damn, he noticed me staring,I thought, pulling my eyes from him immediately, my face flushing with embarrassment.

“I don’t know if I should be worried or flattered that you were staring at me like that,” he said, stealing a glance at me.

I was too embarrassed to speak. My face was on fire, and my brain had forgotten how to function. What could I possibly say?

A nervous laugh escaped me as I looked down, trying to hide my blush.

“For what it’s worth, I could live on you staring at me like that,” he whispered, smiling at me. His words sent a shiver through my whole body.

Damn, this guy really knows how to make my heart race,I thought, quickly looking out the window to calm myself.

Maybe Arthur sensed how nervous I was and decided to lighten the mood. He started cracking jokes, and before I knew it, I was laughing so hard, I forgot all about my nerves.

The car came to a stop, and I looked out at the brightly lit restaurant. Arthur opened the door for me, still smiling, and I stepped out.

“This way, my lady...” he said in a playful voice, taking my hand and leading me inside.

The outside of the restaurant was nothing compared to the inside. The interior had an old Italian vibe from the ’80s, and I liked it.

At the reception desk, the waitress asked for our reservation, her attention focused on the tablet in front of her.

Arthur smiled and gave her his name. Her eyes shot up, and her face clouded with an expression I couldn’t quite place.

“Right this way…” she said, her voice wavering. Was she nervous? No, she seemed more... scared?

Arthur pulled my attention back to him with one of those smiles that made my heart skip.

The waitress guided us to a private section of the restaurant, quiet and secluded, where I couldn’t hear anything from the other side.

“Can I start you off with a bottle of wine on the house?” the waitress asked, avoiding eye contact with us, especially Arthur.

Several questions swirled in my mind, but I pushed them aside. It was probably nothing, maybe she was just a nervous person.

I glanced at Arthur, and he nodded, not saying a word to her. As soon as he did, she practically ran off.

“Hmmm, what’s this about a bottle of wine on the house?” I teased with a smirk.

Arthur smiled. “Yeah, I don’t like to brag, but I’m a silent partner here.”

“Wow, that’s impressive. No wonder we’re getting VIP treatment. The waitress even seemed kind of afraid of you,” I laughed.

His eyes held a mix of amusement and indifference at that comment, but the expression quickly faded, as if it was never there.

“I don’t think she’s afraid of me,” he said with a playful smirk, clearly enjoying this.

I couldn’t help but smile. Arthur had everything—he was handsome, successful, and every girl’s dream.

Wow, relax, Ella,I reminded myself.Don’t go planning a life with him like you did with Liam. This is just the first date.

My subconscious snapped me back to reality as I watched Arthur softly caress my hand.

The waitress returned with a bottle of wine, setting it down on the table with a nervous glance. I almost wanted to tell her to relax, but the words stuck in my throat.

“Have you decided what you’ll be having?” she asked.

I gave her my order, and Arthur followed suit.

Soon enough, our meal arrived. I took a bite, and oh my god, it was beyond divine. I couldn’t believe how incredible the food tasted.

I was so lost in the flavors that I didn’t notice Arthur staring at me until I looked up and met his gaze. My cheeks flushed again.

“Why are you staring?” I whispered, shifting in my seat.

“Nothing. I guess it’s my turn to stare now,” he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

I cleared my throat, remembering how I had been gawking at him in the car.

“And I must say, Ella, this view is making me think of things that would make me a sinner,” he added with a flirtatious smile, making my heart race.

My breath caught in my throat.Why?I thought. I had no idea why, but I couldn’t focus on anything else but him.

Before I could stop myself, I found my gaze dropping to my plate of food.

But Arthur wasn’t about to let me avoid him. I felt his hand gently cup my face, turning it to look at him. The desire in his eyes made my stomach twist in the best possible way.

We locked eyes, and in that moment, words didn’t matter. Everything we needed to say was in the silent connection between us.

Then, as if he couldn’t wait any longer, Arthur pulled me toward him, his lips crashing against mine. His kiss was urgent and filled with longing, sending a thrill through me that I couldn’t deny.