Page 36 of Something New

“Why didn’t you ever have a boyfriend, little bird? Were you saving yourself for me?”

He asks with a grin, but somewhere inside me my instincts tell me he really believes I was saving myself for him. That isn’t the case at all. I tried to have boyfriends, but they all ended up ghosting me.

Shrugging my shoulders I pick up my champagne glass and take a sip. “I guess I just didn’t find a man who was manly enough to stick around.”

“They are all fools. Those are boys, not men.” His eyes are burning into me. Dark brown, like chocolate pools. They’re divine. I want to look away, but I can’t. Instead, I smile, and bite my lower lip, knowing that I am being demure. I can see how his eyes grow darker when I do it. It is the first time a guy has looked at me this way and it’s incredible.

Tuomo adds a few other delights to my side plate and sounds really excited when he tells me to try the halloumi cheese deep fried in sesame seeds and secret spices.

He looks like a child when he gets excited. Like something hidden inside him that shines through. I stare at him, wondering if he ever lets anyone else see this side of him.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Tuomo

The moment she walked in wearing that red dress I was set in my decision that no matter what happened tonight I would have her. She would give herself to me.

Dinner started with her being a little cold, distant and protective of herself, but I have played it cool. And while I positioned myself next to her, I am not the one who pressed our legs together beneath the table - she is.

And I am not the one who is leaning in towards me while I speak.

It’s easy to compliment such an enticing creature. She is beautiful, I could tell her in a thousand ways how she could compete with every sunset and night sky to hold my attention.

Honestly, I’m doing my best to hold back a little. To not smother her in words that end up overwhelming her and making her think I am being fake.

Nothing about what I tell her is fake. I mean every word.

She giggles, holding her hand in front of her mouth as though she is shy to laugh. I reach out and take her hand, lowering it from her face.

“Your smile is so beautiful, don’t hide it. You should never hide anything about yourself from me.”

Her cheeks flush pink and she rubs her lips together, smoothing the lip-gloss she has just put on. I watch her mouth, thinking about all the things I want to do with those lips.

When she picks up her fork to taste another sample of food, I top up her champagne. I have made sure, throughout the evening, to keep her glass full. That way she doesn’t keep track of how many glasses she’s had, and she won’t notice when it all hits her at once.

It is lowering her guard and softening the high walls she has built against me.

“I’ve missed you, Nerissa. I missed you a lot when you left the mansion. You were the only good thing about that place.” My heart pulls tight because my words are too emotional. I didn’t mean to share that much. Men aren’t supposed to be so emotional. My father always told me that. Wincing at my stupidity I look away from her, picking up my drink to take a sip. Trying to act casual. I clear my throat.

She has said nothing, and I can’t resist the curiosity growing inside me, so I glance at her.

Her eyes are soft and warm, full of care. She reaches out and takes my hand beneath the table.

“You had a tough life at the mansion, Tuomo. I’m sorry that you had to go through that. I’m glad that I could make you smile back then - and now.”

I turn towards her.

She is relaxed, and this is the perfect moment. I reach up and trace my fingers across her cheek, then wrap my hand around the back of her neck. She doesn’t move, her eyes are still on me. I pull her closer as I lean towards her.

My lips touch hers and fireworks erupt inside me.

My heart beats faster and my breathing becomes heavy.

Kissing her is like heaven.

I wonder what the rest of her body will be like to touch.

When she leans away from me, she is blushing. In a shy gesture she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and looks down at the table.

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