Page 53 of A Table for Two
Gabriel gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m glad.”
“The first wine is a chardonnay,” a wine specialist said. “It opens with fresh citrus aromas of lime and Meyer lemon, followed by ripe, juicy peach. And, finally, underlying notes of herbs, honeysuckle, and vanilla, making for an exceptionally fresh and vibrant wine.”
Gabriel sipped the taste of wine in his glass and agreed. “What do you think?”
She nodded. “I like it. The citrus hits first, but the combination of floral and vanilla lingers.”
They went through several more varieties—merlot, rosé, zinfandel. He ended up purchasing another chardonnay, which had notes of lime, mango, verbena, and rich vanilla. Serenity bought a rosé.
“I’m going to serve this at the next supper club dinner. And you’re welcome to join us if you’re not busy.”
“I’ll check my schedule and let you know.” While he enjoyed the dinners, more and more Gabriel realized he’d rather share dinner with Serenity. Alone.
On the way back, dessert consisted of a strawberry tart and tea or coffee. “I love strawberries, and this tart is so good,” Serenity said, slowly drawing the fork from her mouth and letting out a moan.
Fire shot to Gabriel’s groin. “You’re killing me, baby.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” She gave him an innocent smile, then repeated the gesture, this time darting her tongue out to lick the bit of whipped cream from her fork. “I’m just enjoying my dessert, that’s all.”
“Keep it up and I’m going to be enjoyingyoufor dessert.” The more he got to know her, the more sides he saw. Never would he have thought she’d be a tease. He leaned closer. “How do you think you’d taste with whipped cream?”
Her eyes widened, and she cleared her throat. “Um…so, you don’t think it’s good?”
He smiled inwardly. “It’s good, but I have to say those brownies you make are far better.”
She eyed him. “Are you campaigning for more brownies?”
He reached across the table, grasped her hand, and placed a kiss in the center of her palm. “Maybe.” She gasped softly, and his gaze went to the rapidly beating pulse in her neck. He wanted to place his lips there. To trail kisses there. Their eyes connected, and he saw the same desire he felt reflected in her eyes. Gabriel said she could set the pace, but the only pace he wanted right now was hot and fast.
***
Serenity had no idea what possessed her to tease Gabriel. She usually didn’t flirt this way with men, and certainly never had with her ex. Maybe she could blame it on the wine she’d drunk, but that wouldn’t be the truth. If she were being honest, she’d admit that there was something about the man sitting across from her that made her relax and lower her inhibitions. The gentle caresses, sweet kisses, and the fact that he’d gone out of his way to ensure she had a good time would challenge the sanest woman to remain unmoved. Plus, he looked so good in the black shorts and short-sleeved pale-gray button-down shirt. Her palm still tingled from the soft kiss he’d placed there, and every time he looked her way, heat thrummed through her body.
By the time the train arrived back at the station, he had her fantasizing about that whipped cream.
“Do you want to go back to the gift shop?” Gabriel asked as they stepped off the train.
“If you don’t mind. There were a couple of bottles of wine I wanted to get.” She hadn’t wanted to leave them in the hot car and figured it would be easier to get them afterward, so she wouldn’t have to carry them around all day.
“Not at all.”
Several other people had the same idea, and it took a good fifteen minutes to make the purchase. “Are we heading over to the hotel now?” she asked as he pulled out onto the road.
“Check-in isn’t until four, but we’ll only be about half an hour early, so I’m hoping they’ll just let us go ahead and do it. It’s a bed-and-breakfast.”
“I’ve always wanted to stay in a bed-and-breakfast just to see if they really do serve those big meals. I’m betting that’s one of the reasons you chose it.”
“You know me well,” he said with a chuckle.
It took them less than ten minutes to get there, and Serenity was immediately entranced by the garden feel and even more by her room, which happened to be a secluded cottage not attached to any of the other rooms. She slowly toured the space with its gas fireplace, king-size bed, sitting area with leather chairs surrounding a small round table, and a Jacuzzi for two.
Crossing the floor, Serenity opened the door to a charming balcony overlooking the creek and surrounded by lush gardens. Gabriel stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “This is beautiful, Gabriel. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
She turned in his arms and came up on tiptoe to kiss him. His tongue charged into her mouth, kissing her with a potency that weakened her knees. She slid her arms around his neck and held him in place as his hands moved slowly up and down her back, caressing and teasing. His lips left her mouth and skated along her jaw before claiming her mouth again. “Gabriel?”
“Hmm,” he said, still trailing kisses along her shoulder while his hands caressed her breasts.
