Page 28 of Exquisite Temptation

Maybe I do? Maybe I don’t? Who knows with me? Chuckling, I shake my head and drop my phone on the table. If he makes dinner, I'll bring dessert. I trawl through my recipes, settling on bite-sized bitter orange chocolate truffles, which would go well with after dinner coffee. Blood orange and bitter caramel is a marriage made in heaven. After slaving in the kitchen for a couple of hours, I spend the rest of the afternoon pampering myself and agonizing over what clothes I should wear. I don’t want him to think that I've put too much effort into making myself beautiful and sexy for him.

I arrive fifteen minutes early on purpose. He said don't be late but said nothing about being early. What he doesn’t know is that I'm one of those people who is always early and hates being late or waiting for people. It drives me up the wall. Christopher swings the door open, his sharp gaze landing on mine. The icy air of command and raw animal magnetism he exudes makes heat curl down my spine. He awakens the animal in me. The urge to edge closer to him, plunge my fingers into his long hair that tumbles carelessly over his shoulders, and lick him overwhelms my senses. No man has ever had this kind of power over me.Down girl,I chastise myself. He cocks one side of his mouth in a smirk as his coal-black eyes trawl down my body, taking in my see-through, black, low-cut top, paired with tight black skinny jeans and combat boots. Warmth spreads through my body, making my skin prickle and breath go shallow.

"Hi, I brought dessert and wine." My voice comes out husky, sounding weird in my ears. I thrust the plastic container and bottle towards him, so he doesn’t have a choice but to take it.

"Thank you. I can’t wait to taste your delicious dessert." Tilting his chin, he gazes at me with a smoldering look in his eyes and bites the right side of his lower lip.

Holy Moly, the fury of desire engulfs my body with fiery flames, making my skin burn and core pulse with a desperate need. Sliding his lips into a knowing smirk, he tips his head and motions for me to come in. I take off my boots and follow him to the living room, gawking at his muscular buttocks and imagining naughty scenarios involving us naked and sweaty. God help me, I don’t know how I'm going to survive this dinner. I distract myself by inhaling the mouth-watering smell of melted cheese and roasted veggies permeating the air. Hmm, is it home-made lasagne? If yes, I’d be well impressed if he made the sauces rather than using a jar.

"Make yourself at home while I check on the dinner."

I bob my head in agreement and deposit myself on the comfortable black sectional couch.

Relaxing classical music comes from the floor-standing speakers. Last time I was here, I didn’t pay attention to the black and wood décor. Sagging against the soft cushions, I let my gaze drift to the spectacular onyx wall containing a bookcase and large screen TV that separates the living space from the formal dining space. To my right, floor-to-ceiling sliding patio doors lead directly to an enormous backyard with a lagoon style swimming pool and entertainment area. On my left, a breath-taking, lush, vertical garden divides the kitchen and living room and makes you feel as if you are hiding in an exotic cove. I jerk, lifting my feet off the ground when something furry brushes against my legs. I shift my gaze to the floor, gawking at the Siamese cat with vivid blue eyes.

"Oh, where did you come from? I don’t remember seeing you when I was here last time." I lean forward and extend my arm to pet her, but she sits upright like a statue, staring at me intently and thrashing her tail, telling me this is her territory.

Siamese are known for being territorial and assertive, and always in a mood for mischief. I have battle scars to prove it. Our next-door neighbors in San Diego were Siamese and Maine Coon cat breeders.

"Dinner is ready. I see you already met Isis." When she hears his voice, she trots over to him, releasing a series of loud guttural meows.

"It’s okay, baby girl. She’s a friend," he coos and picks her up in his arms, stroking her head reassuringly. She rewards him with soft, low-pitched purrs.

Letting her go, he points to the dining table. "Come on, let's eat."

My gaze locks on the casually set up dinner table with napkin, fork, knife, wine, and water glasses. When we sit down, he passes me the torn olives with almonds, celery, and parmesan salad.

"Wow, this looks amazing. Thank you, Christopher," I exclaim, truly impressed with his culinary skills.

"You are welcome." He chuckles as he pours red wine and water into our glasses.

"May I ask what you want to talk to me about?" I peek at him in between mouthfuls.

"It can wait until coffee and dessert." He pauses for a moment, tilting his head to the side. "Tell me random fun facts about you?"

I don’t know about other people, but whenever someone asks me to share fun facts about myself, it feels as if I am being interviewed for a job. It’s my pet peeve. Leaning back, I stare at him and think hard on how to answer his question.You have to tell him Sebastian is your brother.

"Erm…found out Sebastian is my brother. I have a birthmark on my wrist in the shape of a butterfly, and I've only been in the lifestyle for a year. What about you?"

"Yes, he told me before he went to San Diego." A sudden wave of fatigue and relief rolls through me. I’m glad he told him. It will save me from talking about the whole adoption saga again. He narrows his eyes, studying my face for a long moment. "We don’t have to talk about it now if you don’t want to."

I bob my head. "Thank you."

Stroking the stem of his wineglass, he maintains steady eye contact, gazing at me thoughtfully. "What made you come back to Seattle?"

Dang, how do I dig myself out of this? I don’t want him to pity me for being cheated on.Honesty is the best policy, my annoying self reminds me.

"I caught my ex-partner, who was my Dom, cheating with the sub he was involved with before we got together. I needed a fresh start, plus I missed my bestie." Blurting out, I avert my gaze to hide the hurt from Tristan’s betrayal still festering inside me. It’s one thing after another. I can’t get a break from people crushing my heart into smithereens with their lies.

"Eyes on me, pet. A true Dominant will always respect you, guide you, instruct you, encourage you, and be your greatest cheerleader to help you become the best version of yourself. He is not worthy of you or your tears and is nothing but a disgrace to the community." His angry retort hardens his features, making him look like a fallen angel hell-bent on destroying the Earth.

God Almighty, if I wasn’t sitting, I’d be a puddle on the floor. He makes my knees turn to jelly and my heart cartwheel in my chest.

"Thank you. I really appreciate your kind words," I whisper, desperate to change the conversation. "I shared fun facts about myself. It’s only fair to share yours." I put my elbow on the table and clasp my hands, waiting for him to say something.

He continues pinning me down with his eyes, tilting his lips into a smirk as if he could read my mind. "Is that so, pet?" He inclines his head. "Very few people know this about me, and while it’s not a fun fact, it is a fact. When I was a child, I survived a car crash. The doctors told my father I would never walk again. I'm a stubborn bastard, so not only did I prove them wrong, but I also attained the highest black belt in Aikido. And I can’t stand when people slurp their coffee or clear their throat." He gives me a lopsided smile.

Crap, don't mess with him. He is a living, breathing weapon. One thing I noticed is he didn’t mention his mother. Did she die in the car accident like his wife? I take a deep mouthful of water to dislodge the lump stuck in my throat. Talk about bad luck.

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