Page 104 of Marked

Derek shifted in his seat, his eyes darkening further.

A server presented the next course with a flourish—foie gras torchonwith brioche and preserved cherry. The rich, silky texture paired perfectly with the wine Marcus had chosen.

“This wine…” I started, letting the complex flavors dance on my tongue.

“Château d’Yquem,” Marcus supplied, clearly pleased by my appreciation. “A 1983 vintage.”

“Of course it is,” I laughed softly. “Nothing but the best for the Stones?”

“Nothing but the best for you,” Derek corrected, his voice low and intense.

“The chef trained in Paris,” Marcus said, clearly enjoying my enthusiasm. “Wait until you try his lobster.”

“Is this where you tell me you all trained as chefs too?” I took another sip of wine, feeling warm and loose-limbed.

“No, that’s Jorge’s domain.” Derek’s smile was fond. “Though Marcus makes a decent risotto.”

“When he’s not trying to run the world,” Caleb added, his fingers trailing along my shoulder.

“Someone has to.” Marcus’ voice was teasing, but there was something powerful in the way he held himself, like contained energy.

The lobster arrived as promised, butter-poached and fragrant with herbs. The meat was so tender it barely needed chewing. “Oh God,” I moaned softly, forgetting to be self-conscious.

A low sound rumbled in Derek’s chest. Marcus’ knuckles went white around his wineglass.

“Keep making those sounds, baby,” Caleb murmured against my temple, “and we might not make it to dessert.”

The wine had gone to my head, making me brave. “Is that a promise?”

Marcus’ eyes flashed in the starlight. The brothers exchanged one of their silent looks, some unspoken conversation passing between them.

The palate cleanser arrived—a champagne sorbet that sparkled with edible gold leaf. “Fancy,” I teased but couldn’t hide my delight at the playful presentation.

Following that came a perfectly seared duck breast with cherry gastrique and wild mushrooms. The skin was crispy, the meat pink and tender.

“The mushrooms are local,” Caleb explained, his breath warm against my ear. “From our own forest.”

“Your forest?” I raised an eyebrow.

The brothers exchanged another one of those looks before Marcus smoothly changed the subject.

The next course was Wagyu beef that dissolved like silk on my tongue. I was hyperaware of every brush of Caleb’s fingers, every heated glance from Marcus, every shift of Derek beside me.

“The stars are incredible tonight,” I said, tipping my head back to watch the sky through the glass ceiling. The wine made everything feel dreamy and soft.

“You can see Orion’s Belt,” Caleb murmured, his chest pressed warm against my back as he pointed upward. “And there’s Cassiopeia.”

But Marcus and Derek weren’t looking at the sky. Their eyes were fixed on me, intense and hungry in a way that had nothing to do with food.

“Another astronomy expert?” I teased, though my voice came out breathier than intended.

Derek’s smile was soft. “Caleb went through a space phase. Built his own telescope and everything.”

“Of course he did.” I laughed. “Is there anything you three aren’t good at?”

“Sharing,” Marcus said quietly, his eyes dark with promise.

A shiver ran through me at Marcus’ word, but before I could respond, the dessert course arrived—a dark chocolate soufflé that seemed to defy gravity, accompanied by fresh berries and gold-dusted truffles.

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