Page 178 of Cruel Devotion

Once we got to the table, I pulled out a chair for her.

“Thank you.” She gently lowered into it.

I hurried to my seat across from her and sat down.

And then, our eyes locked in a sensual gaze and that electric connection of ours buzzed in the air.

Is this love?

The flickering candlelight played across Monique’s gorgeous face.

Desire surged through me. “I should tell the chef that we’re no longer hungry.”

She smirked. “And then what?”

“And then I should put you on the table and eat your pussy.”

She licked her lips. “Now is that proper behavior, Mountain Master?”

Lucky for her, one of the servers entered the space, carrying bowls of soup. He brought them to the table, placed one in front of each of us, and hurried away.

The golden broth shimmered with droplets of aromatic oil. Tender morsels of chicken, slices of mushrooms, and vibrant greens floated throughout the liquid.

“This smells good.” Monique studied her soup. “Will this soup have a bird’s nest too?”

“No.” I chuckled. “That’s more Chen’s thing. He likes exotic delicacies.”

She picked up her spoon. “And what do you like to eat?”

My body hummed with lust. “You.”

She grinned. “Lei, stop playing. What type of food do you like?”

I smirked, but my eyes never left hers. “I like simple dishes, like steamed rice and stir-fried vegetables. Perhaps, because dinner was always a grand affair, I’m like my mother and just want to be relaxed and eat comfort food.”

She took a sip of the soup, and then her eyes closed in pleasure. “This is so delicious.”

“I’m glad you like it.” I tasted mine and savored the harmonious blend of savory chicken, the earthy umami of the mushrooms, and the fresh greens.

But I didn’t bring Monique here for soup.

I yearned to learn as much as I could about her.

I set the spoon down. “Have you ever been in love?”

She paused, her spoon midway in the air. “What?”

“You heard me.”

She slowly placed the spoon back in the bowl. “Well. . .maybe a little bit.”

I tensed. “Tell me about it.”

“There was a guy in college. For a while, I thought he might be. . .”

“What?”

“The one.”

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