Page 27 of Elusive Surrender

Sheldon’s textlets me know he’s on his way, and I scurry to get ready. I discard the robe I’ve had on since returning from the safe room, toss it on the bed, and I’m left only in the white thong panties with a red bow in the center.

It’s taken all afternoon to decide which dress to wear, and I pull it from the closet, admiring it again. The material is soft, silky, and oh so feminine. I slip the pale pink dress over my head, adjusting the bodice, and smoothing its skirt over my hips, stepping into the strappy high-heeled sandals, and spinning in front of the floor-length mirror.

If I’m going on a first date, I should wear something sexy, something that I will remember forever. Sheldon selected beautiful clothing, and I shouldn’t be nervous. I should be giddy with excitement, and I am. As much as the dynamic building with Sheldon excites me, I’ve been down the path of giving up control once before, and it almost cost me everything, both physically and emotionally. I take a deep breath. This is what I want. I just need to go slow, be cautious, and I will be fine.

The knock on the door pulls me from my reverie.Deep breath, Lexie.

The sight of all six feet and a few inches of pure male muscle standing in my door takes my breath away and makes my pulse race at the very same time. I should invite Sheldon in, be polite, say hello, or something, but he’s gazing at me with those deep brown intense eyes, and it leaves me speechless, so I stare at him like I’ve lost every one of my senses.

Sheldon takes my hand, caressing it, and the electrical current heats my skin as it tingles its way right to my center. “Hi, I was worried about you when they took us to the safe room downstairs. Is that how you introduce all your women to this lifestyle of yours?”

He smirks. “Most of the women I’ve known would have already been running toward the hills.”

I smile and nod. “Sorry, come in. I was really worried about you, though. The security team wouldn’t say too much about anything, just said it was protocol—whatever that’s supposed to mean.”

He smiles. “It’s been an interesting night to say the least, and hard concentrating on my job knowing that you were waiting for me in a pretty dress and an itsy-bitsy thong.”

My heart constricts, and the nervousness eases somewhat hearing that he was thinking of me.

Sheldon closes the door, letting his eyes take in every inch of my body, absolutely devouring me in the dress I’ve worn just for him. “Did you wear the panties I asked you to put on?”

I nod, and his hand snakes around my waist. Sheldon pulls me toward his body, so close that we’re toe to toe. He looks down at me, and those brown eyes capture mine as he lifts my chin with one finger. “We’re going to have dinner on the balcony. I would have taken you out, but there isn’t a better view on all of the Amalfi Coast, with the exception of the master suite of this estate.”

“I was going to wait for you on the balcony, but Gaby said I should wait for you here in the room.”

“I’ll have to thank Gaby for keeping my surprise intact. Let’s go outside. We can get to the balcony through your bedroom or my own.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize the bedrooms were joined.”

“They are. Come, I’m eager to unwrap you, but I believe someone wanted a first date, first,” Sheldon remarks, his eyes full of undisguised desire.

Sheldon grasps my hand, guiding me to the French doors and stepping aside, allowing me to go outside first. The entire length of the balcony has been lit up with white twinkling lights, and there is a soft Italian ballad playing in the background. A round table is covered with a white linen tablecloth, set with gorgeous china plates and crystal wine glasses. Sheldon pulls a chair out and helps me adjust once I’m seated before sitting across from me and pouring a glass of red wine for each of us from the silver bucket on the stand beside him.

His finger curls around mine as I take the glass from his outstretched hand. The heat of his skin on my own ignites the same sensation it always does, a thrumming need that has only grown stronger since our very first encounter. It’s as though this man has a direct line to my center, and I’m very aware that my nipples are straining against the gauzy material of this very thin dress.

Sheldon’s eyes shift to the telltale arousal, and then his entire hand curls around mine, lifting it to his lips. “Since this magnetism between us seems to have a life of its own, we should start the discussion with sex.”

I feel the warmth spread over my cheeks as I let the husky sound of his voice wash over me. I can only imagine a high-pitched, squeaked response, so I simply nod my agreement. We both know how aroused we are and that this is going to happen, whether we talk about it or not.

He surveys me over his glass and takes a sip of his wine. “You wanted to discuss these things, right? I mean, before ownership and all. Isn’t that what you said?”

Okay, maybe I should have just kept my big mouth shut because I’m already ten shades of pink and embarrassed beyond belief just talking about discussing sex, much less having the discussion or doing the deed itself.

A man in a white chef’s outfit comes from around the corner of the wraparound balcony and places a tray next to the table. “Thank you. That will be all for the night,” Sheldon tells the man.

“Enjoy the meal, my friends,” the man replies with a heavy accent before leaving us to our meal and quietly disappearing around the corner.

Sheldon removes the lid from one of the dishes and places one of the smallest plates I’ve ever seen in front of both of us. It has two scallops and two perfect-looking shrimp sitting atop a drizzled red sauce, adorned with green herbs.

“Taste it; the chef here is amazing. He ran both a restaurant and culinary school and was at the point of retiring when Chase purchased this villa a few years back. He now prepares special dishes for the Prestians here and helps Gaby with oversight of menus and such for parties and other events.”

“Are you trying to impress me, Sheldon, because you so are right now. Seafood is my absolute favorite.”

“Excellent. I might have gotten some inside information on your preferences. I didn’t intend to impress you, but I do intend to spoil you.”

My chest tightens at his words. I’ve never had that kind of relationship, but all the submissive heroines in the books I read are treated like treasures. It’s the stuff all fantasies are made of, and something I’ve always longed for, but I’m well aware that fairy tales seldom come true. Another reminder that we need to go slow, have the discussions, and get to know each other. “Well, you’ve definitely succeeded.”

Sheldon’s lip pulls to the side. “The night is young.” He smirks, pulling a silver dome-shaped lid from another plate on the side table and placing it in front of me. The aroma of tomatoes, garlic, and fish wafts to my senses. “Pezzogna. Try a bite,” he suggests, placing a small portion on the fork he extends to me.

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