Page 204 of By His Rule

“Eat your dinner, Kian,” Lorelei warns as I focus on her instead of the plate in front of me.

“But what if there’s something else I want to eat more?”

48

LORELEI

“Your dessert will be served outside,” our server says, making me frown.

“Outside?” I ask the second he’s walked away.

“Grab your wine, Temptress,” Kian instructs before pushing his chair back and picking up his own glass. “You’re going to love this.”

Intrigued, I push to my feet and tuck my purse under my hand. In seconds, he’s beside me, his hand at home resting against the small of my back.

Cool evening air rushes over my exposed skin, and I shiver the second we emerge from our private pod.

Feeling it, Kian moves his hand and wraps his arm around me. It’s nice. Comforting. Way too comforting.

He leads me through the other diners’ pods where they’re enjoying their meals and to the very opposite end of the rooftop.

I’m still confused as he opens a wooden gate and the reality of where we’re eating dessert is revealed.

“Wow,” I breathe as we step into the private outside eating area.

There is a table for two, but it’s clear that that isn’t where we’re sitting. Instead, there is a cozy swing seat with our names on it.

“Come on,” Kian says, leading me through the soft fairy lights toward our destination.

After placing our glasses on the side tables, we take a seat.

“This is incredible,” I confess, staring up at the stars again. I swear they’re even clearer without the pod between us.

“We could have eaten out here, but I was worried you’d get cold.”

I smile up at him, completely speechless.

“What?” he asks, his eyes bouncing between mine.

“You’re really quite romantic for a man who’s never seriously dated.”

“I don’t do things by halves, Lorelei.”

“No,” I muse. “That is something I’ve learned about you.”

“See, not everything about me is bad.”

“I never said that it was,” I confess. “And I must admit, there is more to you than I first thought.”

He raises a brow.

“What? It’s the wine. It makes me more honest.” I swat his shoulder playfully and reach for my glass for another sip.

“I like your honesty. It’s refreshing.”

“Aw, does having women tell you that you’re amazing in every single way get boring, hotshot?”

“I’m not perfect, and I don’t appreciate anyone who tries to tell me that I am. I have just as many flaws as everyone else on this planet. Some—you—may even say that I have more.”

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