Page 39 of Remembering Passion

“Where are we going?”

“Mr. Sinclair reserved our private dining room.” She smiled. “It’s beautiful and has a window into our wine cellar.” Her smile grew. “It’s much more secluded.”

With each word, my stomach twisted.

By the time the elevator stopped, I was on the verge of hitting the button to make it go back up. Biting the inside of my lip, I remembered my resolve.

Bring on the games, Damien.

The hostess and I stepped into a cooled corridor. Our shoes echoed off the brick walls as I followed to a closed door near the end. She reached for the handle and opened the heavy door. “Usually, this room has a table for twenty,” the hostess said as the room came into view.

The table for twenty had been replaced with a table for two. The arrangement was almost comical in the long room. As the hostess had promised, to one side was a window that offered a view of the large wine cellar.

As the hostess and I entered, Damien stood, his arrogant smirk in place, as his eyes scanned from my hair to my shoes and back to my eyes. His earlier suit was gone, leaving his long legs covered by dark jeans and his toned muscular torso covered by a black button-down shirt. The sleeves were rolled to near his elbows, and the top two buttons were undone. With the precision of a gentleman stalker, he walked to the opposite chair and pulled it back for me. Turning to the hostess, he kindly dismissed her.

I couldn’t be sure of his send-off because as I sat, the intoxicating scent of his cologne surrounded me. His lips blew warm breaths near my ear, and in a deep voice, he whispered, “You’re late, Ms. Crystal.”

My mouth went dry as his timbre and tone shouldn’t send shock waves through my body.

I didn’t want to react.

That didn’t negate the fact that I did. My body quivered all the way to my freshly trimmed and uncovered pussy. Thankfully, the cups in the bodice shielded my nipples from sharing my body’s unwanted reaction. Keeping my thighs pressed tightly together, I maintained my dignity, my neck straight and my chin high.

The door closed, leaving us alone in the cavernous underground room.

“I had an unexpected change of plans,” I explained as Damien walked back to the other wingback chair and sat.

“We can discuss tardiness at a later time.” He lifted the bottle of wine. “2018 Paul Hobbs Nathan Coombs Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.”

“I’m sure it’s delicious.”

“While I was waiting, I sampled it. You’ll find hints of baker’s chocolate and dark cherry to crème de cassis to tapenade.” He poured some in my wine goblet. “It’s both graceful and bold. The broad tannins balance the acidity, and you’ll taste the tension and freshness.” Damien lifted his glass. “To more negotiations.”

After tapping our glasses, I lifted the goblet to my nose and swirled the deep crimson liquid. “It smells nice,” I mocked before taking a sip.

Damn. It was delicious.

“I recalled you liking it.”

“I also like the giant bottle of Woodbridge I can buy at Walmart on sale for twelve dollars.”

Damien’s forehead furrowed in a scowl. “Self-deprecation isn’t a good look for you, Ella. You know how to enjoy the finer things in life. Perhaps you’ve forgotten.”

Setting my glass on the table, I looked around. “Restraint, Damien. Reserving an entire room isn’t restraint. It is narcissistic. I know you have money. I don’t need to be reminded.”

“It’s not about money. It’s about privacy.”

“We could have eaten carry-out and continued our discussion in your office.” I nodded toward his attire, thinking how we’d also matched at the gala. “Was there a memo to wear black?”

He grinned. “You’re lovely, as usual.” He leaned forward, his eyebrows raised. “I’m not going to ask about your show of good faith.” His lips curled. “If my senses are to be trusted, you complied. My sense of smell is rather acute. Your arousal is even sweeter than the wine.”

“Cabernet is known for its dryness.”

My rebuttal earned me a smirk and scoff.

Before our discussion continued, the door opened and two waiters entered, one pushing a linen-covered cart.

“Good evening,” the first man greeted. “I am George, and this” —he motioned to the second man— “is Benjamin. We are here for you this evening.”

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