Page 36 of Ruin

Claire’s back straightened and her eyes widened as she spoke, her breath shallow. “We can wait.”

I took a step back, reluctantly releasing her as I pointed up the staircase to guide her to our next destination.

Chapter Twelve

Arik

As she ascended the stairs, the warm glow of the candles on the dining room table illuminated the view of the sea beyond. I placed my hand gently on her back, guiding her to the seat at the end of the table. Pulling her chair out for her, I watched as she settled in before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. With one final, lingering look, I took my place at the opposite end of the table.

The transformation of the room was immediate. As I slid into my chair, the staff appeared magically, orchestrating a seamless presentation of the evening’s fare. Bottles of wine, baskets of freshly baked bread, and plates of gourmet food arrived in a choreographed dance. The sounds of glasses clinking, plates being sat, and the subtle crackling of the fireplace created a soothing backdrop to our dinner.

Claire looked up from her seat, her eyes meeting mine as she placed a red cloth napkin in her lap. She noted the distance between us of at least ten feet and playfully called out, “Can you hear me over there, or do I need to call someone to bring you a letter?”

I could not help but smile, taking a sip of my wine before meeting her gaze. “I don’t need any more temptation right now,” I replied with a chuckle, mirroring her actions as I dipped my bread into the dish of fresh oil and balsamic.

Claire took her time with her steak, cutting into the perfectly cooked meat with ease. The tender cut of prime steak, infused with a hint of butter and garlic, was a testament to our chef’s skills.

Between bites, she glanced around the villa, her curiosity apparent. She mumbled through a bite of steak, “I still have so many questions.”

“Like what?” I asked, my interest piqued as I swallowed a golden fingerling potato.

“Um. Villa. Staff. Big ass SUVs. Who are you?” Claire asked seriously, her eyes never leaving mine, as if she was searching them for a truth…or a lie.

“I am Arik. We had this conversation quite some time ago, love,” I said with my signature charming smile, the same one she had been captivated by for the past forty-eight hours.

“You know that’s not the answer I’m looking for,” Claire replied, her tone indicating she was not about to let the matter drop.

“I have businesses. They are successful. I work hard. I make smart decisions,” I said nonchalantly, taking another bite of steak and pressing it firmly against the plate to soak up the oily juices.

We continued our meal in silence, our glances and occasional smiles conveying more than words could. The candlelight flickered between us, casting a warm glow that contrasted with the soft, rhythmic sound of the waves crashing in the distance and the gentle crackling of the fire.

As the meal progressed, Claire’s curiosity seemed to rekindle. “How old are you?” she asked, clearly prepared to delve deeper.

I looked at her with a mixture of amusement and contemplation, ready to navigate the next chapter of our conversation.

“Thirty-eight,” I replied, my eyes locked on Claire’s face, searching for any sign of satisfaction with my answer.

Her next question came swiftly. “What’s your last name?”

“Medici.” I set my fork down gently, savoring the moment’s intimacy, allowing my gaze to drift over her features as if trying to gauge her reaction.

“And your family?” Claire inquired, her tone probing, hinting at a curiosity that seemed to run deeper than the surface-level questions.

“None to speak of. Just me, myself, and I,” I said with a smile, crossing my arms against my chest and leaning in slightly.

“So, it’s just you, your villa, your staff, your businesses, and no revolving door of foreign women every week?” Claire’s eyebrow arched skeptically as she spoke, her brown eyes piercing through me.

“That’s exactly it,” I replied seriously, reaching for my wine glass to take a slow sip.

I needed the time to gather my thoughts, to ensure I was presenting my truth without revealing too much of the darker undertones of my existence. “What is your hesitation?” I asked, setting the glass down and turning my full attention to her.

“I don’t have any hesitations,” Claire responded, though her tone was tinged with a mix of uncertainty and curiosity. “Just confused.”

“Confused? About what?” My genuine curiosity was piqued even more. I rested my intertwined fingers below my chin, resting my elbows on the table as I awaited her answer.

“I don’t understand how a successful, handsome, well-off man is just living in solidarity like this…with no companionship,” Claire said, her head tilting as she raised an eyebrow.

“I am just picky, I guess. I want someone special,” I said, narrowing my eyes and lowering my chin.