Page 18 of Ruin

I looked up at him, meeting his eyes with a mixture of curiosity and affection. He smiled widely, the wrinkles around his eyes exaggerating as he lowered his chin and pressed his lips into mine. The softness of his kiss left me in a haze as he pulled away.

His lips parted from mine as he whispered, “You’re incredible.”

A flush of color rose to my cheeks, and I turned my attention back to the window, trying to hide my intense blush as my heart pounded. “Why do you say that?” I whispered, keeping my eyes fixed on the view.

“There’s just something about you,” Arik said, his breath warm against my ear as he leaned closer, speaking in hushed tones. “I think I’m obsessed.”

His words, filled with a sincerity that was both unsettling and exhilarating, sent a thrill through me. I felt my heart skip a beat as his hand moved to trace lazy circles on my exposed thigh. The sensation was so profound it was almost overwhelming, making my breath hitch in my throat. I had never experienced such a powerful attraction to a man before, not even with Alex.

Alex was one of those guys you could take home to your mom. He would make a good impression and appear loving.

Arik, though—my mom would have questions.

Despite my reservations, I found myself lost in a dream, wondering what it would be like if the road leading to Naples had never been fixed. Would he be less interested in me if there wasn’t an hourglass with sand slipping away as it counted down the moments to my departure?

The car turned onto a pebble driveway, and Arik’s lips found my neck in a gentle kiss that lingered just long enough to send a warmth through my hips as my thigh involuntarily twitched. He then slid back to his original seat as the driver quickly opened the door for him. With ease, Arik stepped out and made his way to my door.

What a gentleman…and now I am putty in his hands. Fantastic.

But maybe I want to be putty?

With a smile, he opened my door and extended his hand, helping me out of the SUV as smooth pebbles slid beneath my sandals. I quickly realized how badly I had missed the warmth of his hand in mine during the few seconds he left my side.

Arik’s grasp moved from my hand to my waist, and he pulled me in. All the air left my lungs as I felt his lips press firmly against mine. “After you, beautiful,” he murmured, his arm outstretched and directing me down the alleyway.

“After me, where?” I stammered as I looked upon the narrow alleyway that stretched before us. He took my hand once again, this time pulling my body closer to his until our sides brushed against each other and his arm wrapped around my shoulders without pause.

We walked together along the cobblestone alley until the deep blue sea rose into view, the sun overhead illuminating the white of the waves as they crashed toward the shore. Below the rows of tan buildings and orange-hued roofs, bright red and white umbrellas dotted the beach at the bottom of the stone-wrapped hills. The alley then split into walkways between the buildings that flanked us as lush greenery led the way along the path.

“Just right here.” Arik motioned with his arm, leading me toward the restaurant that was perched to overlook the beautiful scenery.

As we approached the host stand, I couldn’t pull away from the view. The flat beaches of Long Island couldn’t compare to this. Tables were set with white linens, ornate red and gold-leafed plates, and golden cutlery under deep red umbrellas that shrouded them in a crimson shade. Neck-high topiaries in clay pots separated the tables into small alcoves, adding an air of privacy and intimacy among the bustling space.

Before I could even begin to process the scents and sounds of the terrace, Arik was pulling my chair out for me. The thick white cushions called for me to come and rest my feet that were beginning to ache from the chunky heels I mistakenly decided to wear.

Arik paused as he looked back and forth at the chair across from me and the chair to my left. I felt him scanning my face as I held the stiff ivory menu in my hands, pretending I wasn’t aware of his present contemplation. The seat next to me slid out as Arik sat down, and a busser quickly removed the other two place settings.

We both browsed the menu silently, Arik shooting knowing glances in my direction as I pretended to have any idea what the menu said.

“What is your desire today, love?” Arik whispered in my direction as my head snapped toward him, taken aback by the sultry tone in his voice.

“My what?” I questioned, shock present in my voice. The sea breeze wafted through my hair as I examined his mischievous smile. I was obviously thinking about something else.

Chill, Claire.

Arik raised his eyebrows in amusement as he pulled his attention back to the menu. “Pasta, chicken, beef, fish…” he listed off as his eyes scanned the simple menu.

“Oh. Umm…pasta, I guess. Wait…what do you recommend? This is your favorite place, right?” I questioned.

“Aside from the restaurant at the winery, yes.” Arik winked at me, his words bringing flashbacks to the night before into my mind. Despite the lack of alcohol thus far, we seemed to have no problem picking back up the flirtatious banter and subsequent chemistry that boiled between us.

“And why is that?” I quipped back playfully.

“This restaurant has a distinctive character in comparison. It is light and breezy, just like our surroundings. The hotel restaurant is more decadent and richer, just like the vineyard,” he replied as he set his menu before him and looked toward the sea.

“If the two restaurants exchanged menus, they simply would not work. The ambiance would be off.”

I stared at him, impressed by his justification. He had a way with words that I had never encountered before. Maybe it was his age? It was like every word he said weaved together into a storied tapestry that wrapped around me like a cocoon. Arik was mysteriously opaque, and I couldn’t tell if he was the world’s most gifted bachelor or something more tangible.