Page 43 of Forbidden Obsession

I lifted my chin and stared her down. “Is that it?”

“For the moment.”

I glanced at the food she hadn’t touched. “How long have you been sitting here without eating?”

She shrugged. “Maybe fifteen minutes.”

“I see.”

I looked toward Chef Edgar, who stood at the entrance. “Edgar?—”

“Can we…” Penelope broke in. I glanced back at her as she continued to speak. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt, but can we sit at a more intimate table?” She pushed her palms together. “Shorter, so we can be closer. There’s no need for this grand table.”

“Would you like anything else?”

Tilting her head, she thought for a moment, her lips curving into a crescent smile. “No.”

“Edgar, please set lunch for two at the console table.”

“Yes, sir.”

I strolled to Penelope’s side and held my hand out. Her fingers linked with mine, and a spark of heat dropped straight to my dick. I closed my eyes, absorbed that warmth, and guided her to our table.

12

Penelope

“Oxtail osso buco on a bed of Mashed Potatoes,” Edgar announced.

“This looks and smells delicious.”

“I hope you enjoy it, Penelope.” Edgar glanced at Dominic. “Sir.” He tilted his head and disappeared inside the kitchen.

Wine glasses were filled halfway by other servers and announced in the same manner as the meal.

I smirked over at Dominic. He was different—a bit more open than before, and I wondered if it was because he liked me now or if he simply needed a date to this party he mentioned.

“Do you pray?” I asked.

“To whom?”

Silence settled over us, and I blinked, not expecting his response.

“To…God?”

“Would you like to pray over our food, Penelope?”

“Yes. If that is okay with you.”

He nodded once, and I reached for his hands. He regarded my fingers and didn’t reach his hand out to meet mine. I pulled my bottom lip in with my teeth and nodded. Prayer seemed to be out of his norm. But that could be changed. I dropped my eyes and left my hands open as I blessed our food.

When I finished, I opened my eyes to find his fingers mere inches from touching mine. A smile filled my face, and I grabbed his hands.

“It’s okay to touch me. You should know that by now.”

“I know,” he drawled.

“If you know, why did you stop so close to my fingers?”

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