Page 78 of With Love

Adrienne

The inside of the chateau is just as beautiful as the outside. The same white stone walls are carried over into the entryway. I look around and see a gorgeous iron chandelier overhead.

“This way please,” the Maître d’ says guiding us down the hallway and into the dining room.

The space is beautiful. There is a tiered stage at the front of the room where an orchestra is setting up, getting ready to play. There are about 15-20 tables for two set, but we’re the only ones here. We’re seated front and center as a waitress comes over to us with water, and warm cheese and bread. It smells wonderful.

I reach into the basket and pick up a slice. Spreading cheese on top, I look up and see Marshall looking at me expectantly. I stop what I’m doing and sit up straight.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“Nothing, why?”

“You’re looking at me weird.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he says, “I don’t mean to be. I think I was just waiting to see if you remembered anything. I’ll stop.”

I laugh a little as I place my focus back on the delicious bread and cheese in my hand.

“Can I get you anything to drink?” the waitress asks.

Marshall looks to me first to give her my order. I shoot him a flirtatious glance.

“We’d love some champagne, thanks,” she takes note of our order and walks away.

“See, champagne isn’t just for drinking,” he says.

“I know. I think I found my new favorite use for it.” I say, a hot flush spreading over my skin.

“Careful,” Marshall says, leaning in close to me. One of his hands slides up my leg and underneath of my dress, fingering the hem of my panties. “Or I’ll have to take you somewhere private and fuck that sweet pussy of yours.”

I can feel my blood start racing at the threat, all heading toward my core. I feel moisture starting to build there and Marshall cocks an eyebrow at me knowingly.

When the waitress comes back she places a flute in front of each of us before pouring the champagne. Watching the bubbles shoot up to the top of the glass sends me back to last night. The feeling of the bubbles at my clit. The way they felt when Marshall was on his hands and knees behind me. The thoughts have me rubbing my thighs together.

I reach for the glass and bring it to my nose. Smelling the sweet aroma, I place the glass on my bottom lip and tip it back letting the liquid tickle my tongue. Even just the smallest sip sends a rush throughout my body.

“Do you like it?” Marshall asks.

“It tastes like sin and bad ideas,” I laugh as the orchestra begins to play. “I’m scared to find out what an entire glass will do to my body.”

“It can do amazing things, if you’re with the right person,” Marshall whispers. Our eyes are locked on one another and I can feel my breathing begin to quicken once again. Marshall’s hand moves closer to my pussy and I can feel his fingers caress my slit over my panties. The feeling causes a quick intake of breath as goosebumps spread over my entire body. I reach for my glass one more time and down the remainder of the liquid.

“I believe I am.”

The waitress returns with the first course of our meal, breaking our connection.

“For starters today, we’re going to have the grilled pear salad with chevre and pine nuts in a raspberry vinaigrette.”

The salad is delicious and it reminds me of something but I’m not exactly sure what. I’m guessing I’ve had it before at some point.

The next dish that is served is escargot cooked in butter, garlic, and parsley. I gag a little at the thought of eating it, but Marshall swears to me that I used to like it. I give it a try and while the taste isn’t horrible, I can’t get over the texture and I leave the rest for Marshall to eat.

Our main dish is Magret de Canard. I look at the waitress with confusion written all over my face and she explains that it’s duck breast. It’s like nothing I’ve ever tasted. It’s sweet and savory. The meat is a perfect medium-rare and the skin of the duck is perfectly seasoned and fried.

As the waitress comes over to clear our plates, she whispers something to Marshall. I narrow my eyes at him and ask him what that was all about.

Instead of answering, he stands and holds his hand out to me.

“Let’s dance while we wait for dessert,” he says.

I let him lead me out onto the dance floor as the orchestra begins to play a slow and sensual version The Way You Look Tonight. As Marshall begins to belt out the lyrics as if he were Frank Sinatra himself, I see my vision begins to skew slightly. Thinking it’s the alcohol, I blink a few times trying to clear my head. But the visions don’t go away. Instead, they grow. Before I know it, I see candles everywhere, Marshall and I are dancing. Something sparkles and catches my eye. I look down at my hand and my ring finger is sitting there, adorned in the finest white gold and most gorgeous diamonds that I’ve ever seen in my entire life.

Just then, we’re surrounded by a crowd of people, most of whom I saw at the clearing in the woods. I tense up and get ready to see him again, but I don’t. I see my friends and my family surrounding us. Hugging us. Wishing us love and happiness for the rest of our days.

Coming back to the present, the weight of my emotion is crashing down on me. I place my arms around his neck and my lips find his. Wrapped in Marshall’s arms, his embrace blankets me in love. His fingers burn my skin. His voice warms my heart. His eyes pierce my soul.

In this moment, I realize that I am in love with Marshall Trent. I’m sure I’ve always known it. I’m sure it’s always been there. Only, now I can feel it. Now, I can understand it. Now, I can picture our future together and it is brighter than I ever could have imagined.

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