I pulled back and nodded. “It has been.”
He placed his attention on Grace, and his countenance softened. “Bella,” he replied and took her hand, stooping down and kissing the back of it tenderly. “Welcome.”
If this had been anybody other than Vincenzo, I would’ve been in a blind rage that they had touched Grace and called her lovely. And even though I felt the sting of possessiveness and jealously that Vincenzo had done it, I knew he had no indecent intentions concerning her.
“Please,” he murmured and walked to the side, signaling for us to follow him.
The restaurant was small, with a few of tables in the center of the room, and booths lined up around the edges of the wall.
“I have you set up at our nicest table, with the prettiest view.”
He escorted us to the very back, where a wide picture window showed a tiny pond, a row of tall trees around it, and a soft glow from the ornamental lights creating an ethereal air to the area.
The table in front of the window was a two-seater, with a candle lighted in the center and white China place settings.
I held the chair out for Grace, and she sat, her hands slightly quivering. I hated that she was afraid, but was also a little bit excited that I’d been the one to trigger this emotion in her.
It informed me her feelings ran deep, and even though she cared for me, a physical reinforcement of that delighted me.
After I delivered the wine order to Vincenzo and we were left alone, I sat there and stared at her, the warm glow from the candles creating subtle shadows down her face. I loved that she’d left her hair down for me, the dark strands making my fingers desire to touch them again. They’d been so soft, and the aroma, sweet yet floral, turned me on.
She was looking out the window, her profile showing me her beautiful nose, the tiny slope of it, how it looked so feminine. Her lips were big, pouty and rosy. I thought about kissing her, about how she felt against me, how she tasted on my tongue.
Grace looked at me then, maybe sensing my stare on her. The way her cheeks grew slightly red had this ferocious sense engulfing me.
“What?” she asked softly.
“Nothing.” I grinned, and she looked away, her hair somewhat concealing her from my view. “It’s just hard to take my eyes off you.”
She smiled gently, sweetly, and I wanted to reach out and run my finger along the line of her lips, to feel the small upturn, to know that I was the one who put it there.
“Tell me about yourself,” I asked just as Vincenzo brought the bottle of wine and two glasses. He didn’t say anything as he poured us each a glass, set the bottle off to the side, and gave a small nod of his head before leaving us in private.
Dinner tonight was chef’s choice, and I was happy for the extra time to converse with Grace without any interruption.
I picked up my glass and delicately twisted the liquid inside of the transparent crystal. I lifted it to my nose and inhaled deeply, the aroma of berries filling my thoughts.
I glanced at Grace as I tipped the glass back and took a little sip, letting the liquor travel along my tongue before going down my throat.
And the whole while I kept my concentration on Grace.
The wine tasted peppery yet sweet, with undertones of summer and warmth. When I laid my glass down, I spotted her examining hers. She wasn’t twenty-one yet, but that made no difference. I wasn’t attempting to get her intoxicated.
“Try it, Grace. You can’t have true Italian food without a glass of decent wine.” I leaned in close and gently pushed the glass toward her. “And this is a very good year.”
She scooped up the glass, her fingers gentle as they wrapped around the stem.
“The year?” she said softly.
“The year you were born.”
Her eyes expanded significantly. “This wine is twenty years old?”
I nodded and leaned back in my seat.
My eyes went immediately to her hand once more. That small, frail bone in her wrist could be seen underneath her skin, so delicate when she held the glass up. I gazed in surprise and longing as she took a sip. Grace closed her eyes and gulped, a faint hum of acceptance leaving her.
“Tell me what you taste.”
