Page 84 of Kadra: The Unfeeling

“Great choices!” She sings happily while she takes both menus. “I’ll be back with your food.”

We both nod and watch as she leaves. Dammit. She might be a little too flirty for my taste but I can’t ignore the fact that she’s adorable.

Points to Vitali because if he thinks so too at least he doesn’t show it.

Raising my glass, I drink my drink quietly while looking around the place.

I’ve been wondering since we arrived here what made this place so special for him to insist we come here. I get it now. It feels… intimate. I don’t know, maybe I’m just too damn sensitive lately. The restaurant has a modern industrial vibe with a colorful palette set up by white concrete floors, metal-wood furnishings, and steel shelving units to emphasize the sleek modern look. Shades of yellow are repeated throughout the room. Dimmed illumination with soft music in the background sets a nice mood. Metal fixtures suspended from the ceiling create a modern industrial look and large windows open up the space. What catches my attention is the colorful art on the walls that brighten this place up. What stands out the most are the vivid drawings of women of all colors. Black, white, and brown.

That’s one thing I admire most about culture. Latino–Hispanic culture.

The blend of beautiful colors.

“So, here’s how this is going to go.” Vitali’ interrupts my thoughts. I notice his hand is closer now than it was before.

I frown. “What are you talking about?” I ask, feeling nerves start to take over my stomach. Nerves. Hah. Who would’ve thought?

Vitali’s eyes turn serious and so does his tone. “I get that you’re scared, but I’m not. I also get this is all new to you but we both know there’s no one else in this godforsaken world for us. You’re it for me. You’ve been it for me since before I knew of your existence but life happens and it wasn’t the time. The time is here and I’m done waiting. So, while you figure out that you can trust me and that you feel for me what I feel for you—I’m going to keep shoving us forward.”

“You’re insane,” I whisper, trying to catch my breath. He stole it. He stole my breath with every word that just came out of his mouth.

“Perhaps.” He shrugs. Not sounding a little bit offended. Of course not.

I barely avoid placing my hand on my chest, over my thundering heart.

As I gather my thoughts after he dropped the bomb on me, I watch as he leans back and takes a sip of his vodka. Confidence oozes out of him in waves.

While I’m doing my best not to show just how much every single word affected me. Just how deep he just pierced my heart. Hell, my soul.

“Here you go.” The waitress places both of our plates on the table. “Enjoy!” She then leaves us again and I find myself wishing she didn’t. I could use the distraction. Damnit.

“I must say. I don’t quite like your silence.”

I slowly drag my eyes from the delicious looking food and stare right at his face. His very handsome yet smug face. Out of all of the men in this world I could have fallen for, it had to be this overconfident and too damn honest man.

Oh, please… you love it.

I do not.

Keep lying to yourself…

Shaking my head, as if I could shake the obnoxious voice away, I whisper. “I don’t know what to say.” I quickly look away when humor leaves its eyes and all I can see there is that softness that has become my weakness.

His black glove touches mine, and I don’t pull back. “You’re safe here. You’ll always be safe with me.”

Safe?

What does that feel like?

Then I remember how it felt to be held by this man and all I can think of is the peace and the warmth that I felt. What I’ve been chasing all my life.

Safety.

“The things you say…”

“I mean every single word.” He tells me with that look on his face that makes every part of me melt.

“Perhaps but I don’t know how to react. I do?—”

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