Page 5 of Ruin

I raised my chin, meeting her gaze directly for the first time. There was an electric charge in the air between us, a tension that seemed to pulse with every beat of my heart.

“If you are looking for a wine.” I paused as her jaw dropped ever so slightly. “I recommend the merlot.” The corner of my lip curled up into a smirk as she blushed.

Claire hesitated, her eyes darting back to her menu as she attempted to compose herself, “Oh…the merlot. I’m sorry, I was a bit distracted,” she admitted, as she looked toward the host stand once more. She picked up her phone from the table as she chewed on her bottom lip, checking for messages, I assumed.

I remained in my seat, a dark satisfaction settling over me. The game had begun, and I was ready to play.

“Have you been here before?” I questioned. My voice was nonchalant, but my eyes were keenly observant as I took in every part of her while she was distracted.

Claire’s response was a light, hesitant laugh. “Here? No, first time.”

“Well, welcome,” I said as a warm smile settled across my lips. My eyes, however, betrayed a more intense focus, the kind that could pierce through the superficial veneer of conversation.

Her gaze flickered nervously to the menu in her hands, a gesture that spoke volumes about her discomfort. She politely picked up the conversation where it had left off. “What about you?”

“Often,” I replied, leaning back slightly and letting my smile widen. “I do a bit of business here, so I am somewhat of a fixture.” My tone was easy, but underneath, I was acutely aware of every shift in her demeanor.

Just then, the waitress approached my table, her presence a brief but welcome distraction. Before she could utter a word, I cut in, “I would like the merlot and whatever dish is the chef’s special.” I kept my voice clipped and efficient, designed to brush her off before she could say anything that might reveal too much about me.

I need to keep Claire in the dark, for now.

The waitress nodded and took a few paces to the table next to mine, turning her attention to Claire. “For you, Miss?” she asked.

Claire paused before she offered her response through a strained smile. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m supposed to be meeting someone here, but he seems to be running late. Let me just get a merlot for now.”

Claire’s eyes darted anxiously toward the entrance in a silent plea for Antonio that went unanswered. I clenched my jaw, willing myself to stay focused. I had to get her to forget about Antonio, or at least to give up on waiting for him.

I needed her full, complete attention.

Focus, Claire. Right here. No one else.

As the waitress walked away, Claire turned back to me, her forced smile betraying her as it cracked under her nervousness. “I’m sorry. I don’t usually talk to strangers.”

I offered her a reassuring smile, though my mind was anything but at ease. “Neither do I. But you looked like you could use a little company while you wait.”

Claire chuckled softly, her gaze lingering on the empty chair across from her. “I suppose I could. I’m Claire, by the way.”

A grin crept across my lips, my voice low and deep as I replied, “Pleasure to meet you, Claire.”

In that moment, as I met her eyes once more, I could not help but be met with a complex myriad of emotions. I did not know Claire Bailey as a woman, but I knew who she was supposed to be for me—what her purpose was for me and what my purpose was for her.

“So, you told the waitress you are meeting someone here?” I questioned, letting my voice glide smoothly over the words.

Claire’s fingers moved gracefully to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yes. I work for a wine distributor in New York. I’m supposed to be meeting with the winery manager, but he’s playing hard to get.” She laughed softly; a hint of irritation laced into the amusement.

A smirk played on my lips as I tried to soothe her. “That does happen from time to time in a popular place such as this, I suppose.”

The waitress returned, setting down two glasses of merlot, one in front of me and the other in front of Claire.

Claire took a sip as her eyes lit up with pleasure. “Wow, that’s excellent. Great recommendation!” She smiled at me, a fleeting moment of connection before her gaze dropped back to her wine.

My presence made her nervous; that much was obvious. The question was whether I made her nervous as a threat or a pleasure.

Smiling back, my eyes crinkled with warmth, but beneath the surface of my calm demeanor, a storm of intrigue raged. The intensity of her presence was almost unbearable; each second with her pulled me deeper into a vortex of desire. I wanted nothing more than to escape the crowded restaurant with her and to indulge in the pleasure of her proximity.

“Any other plans for your visit?” I asked, my eyes shifting to the painting of an Italian countryside on the wall.

Claire swallowed another sip of wine, her lips glistening as she spoke. “Not really. It’s a quick trip. I’m supposed to fly home tomorrow. If I don’t get to meet this man, the whole trip may have been in vain.”