“Pretty? She is stunning!” Claims Tonia.
I don’t know what to say, so I just whisper some shy thanks. Now I’m starting to feel anxious. Seeing myself all ready and dressed up reminds me that I am about to have a date with Damian. My very first date! I’m both excited and nervous... I have no idea what he prepared. I feel like I barely know him already; how could I guess what plans he made for tonight?
As I suspected, Tonia is driving me to the rendezvous. In the car, I’m as anxious as one can be, and no one speaks. The girls from the Jade Moon Clan always argued about romantic moonlight strolls, going to the movies, or candlelit dinners. It’s a bit hard to imagine Damian doing any of these... Tonia puts some music on the radio, and I try to relax.
About half an hour later, it’s already dark outside when we stop in a location I can’t recognize. It is pretty quiet, actually, except for the sounds of the seashore. Why are we at the waterfront? The last time I came close to the sea didn’t end well... But the atmosphere is quite different this time. Tonia covers me up with a large white fur coat, and we walk a couple of steps to face a large boat.
It’s actually a superb white yacht with its lights on and elegant wooden floors. Pushing me gently, Bobo helps me get on board while I’m still in awe. I have never been on a boat before! A private yacht to boot! I take shy steps inside, but the siblings don’t follow me, staying on the dock, waving with big smiles on. Oh, well...
My wolf detects five... No, six people inside while I slowly walk in, though I don’t see anyone. My heart is already thumping loudly. My wolf feels his presence, and that’s all she can focus on for now. A romantic song is floating in the air, coming from the deck, so I head that way. This is so intriguing...
Once I finally reach the deck, I’m left completely speechless.
As if in a dream-like setting, the deck is decorated with white flowers and fairy lights all over. On the floor, there is a thin layer of snow, perfectly even and white. In the middle of it, a wooden table was set for two, with white napkins, crystal glasses, and silverware, with a centerpiece composedof candles, sand, and seashells. All of it is arranged in an elegant, but intimate, and unbelievably romantic setting.
Everything is absolutely perfect.
And in the frame of this incredible sight, stands Damian.
I find him more handsome than ever. As always, he is wearing only dark clothes, but this time it is a jet-black suit, with a silver tie matching his glowing eyes. He appears effortlessly handsome standing there, and I find myself falling for him once again. His muscular figure, the marble-chiseled traits, his thin lips... He even got a fresh haircut and a clean, short stubble beard.
...How can one be so handsome? I’m tearing up when I walk up to him. He catches my hand, entangling his fingers with mine as our faces come close. Our eyes meet, and I feel happier than ever. My heart is so warm and loud; I feel like it will explode any time now. Damian’s eyes lock onto mine, sheening love on me. How can such an icy gaze make one burn with feelings at the same time?
Before we say a word, his lips find mine, and we lose ourselves in a long, tender, and passionate kiss. He is intense but gentle. I follow his rhythm, answering his kiss with more confidence than before. This taste on my lips is addicting, and I don’t want to stop. Ever. I kiss him back, putting my free hand on his chest. I don’t need air. I just want this man’s lips against mine.
I feel Damian’s hand sliding into my hair, his fingers playing with my curls like he loves to. He grasps and holds it, keeping me close enough to melt under his embrace. Winter means nothing. I feel myself burning from this man’s delightful kiss, almost like I could get drunk on it.
When our kiss finally comes to an end, Damian holds me close against him, and his lips slowly slide all the way to my ear to whisper.
“Happy Birthday, Nora.”
I blush again, uncontrollably, because of those three words. Damian’s voice so close to my ear, it makes me crazy. I can even feel his breath softly brushing my neck. How can one endure that! I avert my eyes, the blood rushing to my cheeks. He chuckles softly from my reaction and gives me a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Blushing already, Nora? So cute...”
“You’re the one making me like that!” I protest shyly.
“Then I must be doing something right because you look adorable that way,” he whispers while putting a slight kiss on my forehead.
I try to push him away from me a little, or I will never be able to regain my composure otherwise. He smiles and stops with the kisses, though he has no intention to let go of my hand. Instead, he takes a step back and observes me from head to toe with a smile. He even raises his arm and makes me take a slow spin.
“You are beautiful tonight...”
I smile at him and step closer to him again. “You, too. I love the beard,” I whisper, brushing my fingers against the little spikes on his chin.
“I’ll remember it,” he says, kissing my fingers when they get close to his lips. “...Come.”
Holding my hand, he takes me to the table and helps me to my seat like a gentleman. I take my arms out of the sleeves of my coat, but keep it laying on my shoulders. Next to us, a small brazier is burning, slowly warming up the air around us, but it’s not enough. Damian grabs a blanket that was on a side and covers my legs with it. I love this.
We are having a candlelight dinner on the deck of a boat in December! I hadn’t realized the ship had started moving, but we are slowly getting farther and farther away from theport. We are headed toward the vast sea, leaving Silver City’s night lights behind us. I wonder if we have a set destination? Either way, I’m just overwhelmed by all of this. Even the most romantic movies I’ve watched with Tonia never had something like this! This is something out of a Fairy Tale, and I feel like I might wake up any minute.
I’m still very much awake when Damian opens up a bottle of French Champagne. Gosh, I hope there aren’t too many alcoholic beverages planned. I don’t have any experience with it... All I have is the few times Elizabeth made me try the beer at her father’s pub, and I hated it. And now I’m being served a glass of fancy Champagne... However, Damian purposely gives me only half of what he pours for himself; he knows I can’t drink too much.
He raises his glass, and we clink the crystal glasses together before taking a sip. It’s actually quite good! It’s a bit sweet, and I love the fizzy feeling on my tongue.
“So, how was your first day?”
“It was great! I loved it. The restaurant is amazing, and the team was really nice, too.”
