Page 21

CELINE

H oly fuck.

Stepping out into the space of the deck I’m in awe at what I see.

The main lights are shut off and the area is lit solely by the illumination from buildings outside and the hundreds of candles littered throughout the room.

Rose petals are dispersed strategically through the flames.

Soft music hums in the background. There’s a classic checkered picnic blanket and basket in the middle of the room and I can’t help but laugh.

It’s such a simple touch on an over-the-top date of him renting out the whole place.

“Zavier, what the hell? How can you afford this?”

Who knew this goofball could be so romantic?

He must take my comment the wrong way because a frown starts to work itself onto his sweet face. He clears his throat. “I have family money. I work odd jobs to keep myself busy.”

I look around, still taking it all in. I’ve never had someone care enough about me to go to this much trouble. “I can’t believe you did all this. How did you do this? It’s extraordinary.”

He puffs out his chest under my praise. “Nothing is too much when it comes to you.”

“Thank you.” I hope my genuine appreciation translates. “Zav.” I throw it in at the end because I know he wants to hear it. The blush that stains his cheeks lets me know it has the intended effect.

“Have a seat.” Zavier waves toward the picnic set up and I kneel down. He settles across from me and pulls out different containers of prepared food.

As he goes about his task, I take a moment to appreciate the man across from me and slowly take him in.

Crimson red hair gleams in the candlelight and the flickering flames dance in the lenses of his glasses.

His black sweater perfectly frames his lean torso and his thin silver chain rests on his neck, begging me to grab it.

Long, lean fingers carefully set our plates up and I gulp at the veins standing in sharp contrast along the backs of his hands and forearms. There’s something sensual and downright sinful about them that has me tightening my thighs together.

Once he has the food arranged, he scrutinizes the placement to make sure he’s satisfied and the way his gaze narrows is adorable.

“Zav?” His attention immediately hones in on me when I pull out the nickname once more “It’s perfect. Don’t stress yourself out about the plates.”

“It needs one last finishing touch and then it’ll be perfect.” Digging into the basket once more he pulls out a bottle of champagne. “Some bubbly?”

Turning my head to the side I can’t help but look away from the blinding cuteness he radiates. His determination to please me is adorable, so I play along.

“Yes, please.”

Zavier pulls out two glass flutes and fills them with champagne. He’s careful not to let the froth overflow and fills it as close to the top as possible.

“Trying to get me drunk?” I accept the drink as he carefully passes it over. “Planning to disarm me and have your wicked way?”

“Oh, Celine. I don’t need champagne to do that.”

I’m scared he might be right. I’ve never been drawn to anyone the way I am him. Despite his dramatic personality I’m drawn to him. I like him even if he drives me mildly crazy.

A clinking sound rings out when he taps his glass against mine and with a wink he sips the sparkling drink. I take a deep breath when a small trail of liquid dribbles out of his mouth and down his chin.

“Cheers,” I murmur and down more champagne than I should in one go.

My stomach rumbles and I grab my fork to dive into dinner.

The plate in front of me is stacked with all kinds of delicious smelling food.

A creamy pasta dish with broccoli, red pepper, and sausage fills one corner.

Cubed fruit and roasted potatoes with some kind of seasoning on them fill up the rest. Along with the champagne, Zav’s also poured us both glasses of ice water somehow without me even noticing.

“Did you cook all this yourself?” I’m amazed at the burst of flavor I’m met with when I eat my first forkful of pasta. “Mm.” The moan that comes out is instant and I melt right where I sit.

Zavier stares and his throat slowly works as his eyes lock in on my lips. It’s then I realize how obscene of a sound I let out and down more champagne. I’m a mess.

“I did.” He takes pity on me and answers. “I’ve had a lot of time to refine my cooking skills.”

“Tell me about yourself,” I prompt. “I feel like I don’t know much except you work odd jobs around Chicago, live next to me, and apparently have enough family money to afford to rent out this place.” I arch a brow.

“Nothing too special to tell. I already told you I’ve been around and never really stay in one place.

I’ve traveled a lot and as for this”—he gestures to the space around us— “you’re worth spoiling.

” His long legs stretch out as he makes himself at home.

“Lately, though, I must admit I’m finding a reason to stick around.

” His eyes warm as he takes me in and heat rushes to my cheeks.

“Smooth.” His gaze bores into mine and I clear my throat, looking away to break the tension. “What’s your middle name?” I throw out a random question since he doesn’t seem keen on the other one.

“Don’t have one. What’s yours?”

Zav fires it out so quickly it takes me a second to process.

“Everyone has a middle name.”

“Hi! My name is Zavier. I’m the exception.” He grabs my hand and shakes it which I toss away with a scoff in mock outrage.

“It’s just odd.” The blanket underneath us is soft against my legs as I stretch mine out too. “Mine is Rose.”

He grins. “Beautiful, just like your first name. Did you know Celine means heavenly in French? It aligns perfectly with my theory that you’re an angel. Heavenly flower is even more appropriate if you ask me.”

Zav’s statement makes me choke on the champagne I start to sip but he simply grins like a kid with his hand in the cookie jar. He loves that he always manages to catch me off guard.

“You are quite the flirt. Does this work with all the girls?” Clearing my throat and setting the offending champagne down I rest my hands in my lap.

A loose thread on my dress is suddenly very appealing.

I’ve never been the jealous type, but suddenly just the thought of Zavier with other women has me feeling like I want to stake claim to him.

“Wouldn’t know. I haven’t dated in a long time. My last girlfriend was even crazier than me if you can believe it,” he says it so matter of fact it makes me tilt my head in question. A good-looking man like him must draw in quite the crowd on a daily basis. How could he not indulge?

“Rapid fire.” Zav claps his hands. “Favorite color?”

“I wasn’t asking questions fast enough for you?” I cross my arms over my chest and may or may not push my cleavage up a little more than necessary to accentuate the little bit of boobs I have.

His eyes flick down for longer than a quick glance. Zav takes his arms and does the exact same thing a moment later making me snort.

“Green.” This isn’t exactly true but the vibrance of his eyes in that moment eclipses my old favorite color of purple.

“Red.” He points at himself like it’s not clear whose favorite color he’s stating. “Least favorite food?” Finger poised back at me.

“Get that thing out of here.” I grab the offending appendage and trap it beneath my hand on the blanket. “Pickles if you must know. Good thing you didn’t pack them for dinner.” After a second passes I point my finger at him, and he smiles. “Do as I say and not as I do.” His smile widens.

“Pickles. Favorite season?”

“Fall. You?”

“Fall.”

Now I have a sneaking suspicion he’s not playing the game correctly anymore, so I test my theory. “Favorite book? Mine’s Fifty Shades of Grey .”

“Same.”

“Zavier!”

“Celine.” His white teeth are showing in a full faced smirk now.

“You’re just repeating whatever my answer is.”

“How do you know? You said you don’t know me, and I happen to love getting kinky in the bedroom.” Yanking his pointer finger out from under my hand he goes back to eating his dinner.

Antics done, we continue to devour the delicious dinner.

At one point I have to restrain myself from wiping sauce off his face when it smears on his cheek.

I swear he’s like a little kid when he eats, the food goes everywhere but his mouth.

After packing our empty plates back in the basket, I hit Zav with another request.

“Tell me a truth.”

Rubbing my hands on my suddenly chilled arms under my jacket I pull my knees up to my chest. I rest my head on them and watch as he eyes me suspiciously.

“A truth? I thought we were already doing that.” He scoots slightly closer to me on the blanket as if I won’t know. The man seems to have a pressing need to be touching me.

“Firstly, you were simply saying whatever I was saying. Secondly, I know you’re a jokester and like to keep things light, but I want an actual truth from you.

” Rain pounds harder on the surrounding glass and I watch it slide down the panes.

“It could be serious, maybe even a little painful.” My eyes meet his as he watches me discerningly.

“It’s a safe space here but I want something real if we’re going to know each other. ”

He seems to be running through answers in his head as he looks toward the ceiling.

I give him the time he needs to formulate whatever he wants to tell me.

I’m not sure what made me ask this of him but for all his jokes I can see pain hidden beneath them.

I know firsthand how hard holding onto those kinds of emotions can be and when you can lighten the load by sharing them with someone else it helps just a little bit.