After dinner, Vierva follows Dante out of the restaurant, her heels clicking a staccato rhythm against the polished marble floor as they make their way through the elegantly appointed lobby and out into the crisp night air. She can feel the weight of curious stares and whispered speculations following them, the other diners no doubt marveling at the striking couple - the dark, handsome man and the breathtaking beauty on his arm.
Let them look, Vierva thinks, a flicker of defiance sparking in her sage green eyes. Let them whisper and speculate. I don't care what they think of me anymore.
As they approach Dante's sleek, black sports car, Vierva can't help but admire the way the moonlight glints off the polished paint, the dark metal seeming to absorb the silver light like a shadow come to life. She watches as Dante strides ahead of her, his long, powerful legs eating up the distance between the restaurant entrance and the vehicle with a predator's grace.
He moves like he owns the world, Vierva observes, a shiver running down her spine as she watches him. Like every step, every movement, every action is a declaration of his dominance, his absolute control over all that surrounds him.
The thought sends a thrill of fear and excitement racing through Vierva, a heady mix of emotions that leaves her heart pounding and her skin flushed. She knows she should be wary, should be cautious of a man who exudes such raw, unchecked power. But she can't help feeling a perverse sense of pride, a dark satisfaction in being the woman on his arm, the focus of his attention.
Maybe I should be scared, Vierva admits silently as Dante opens the passenger door for her, his pale grey-blue eyes glinting in the moonlight as he awaits her. Maybe I should turn and run, put as much distance between us as I can. But I'm not. I'm here. And I want to see where this takes me.
With a deep breath, Vierva steps forward, the cool leather of the car seat molding to the curves of her body as she settles into the passenger side. She watches as Dante rounds the hood of the car, his tall, muscular frame folding into the driver's seat with a grace and a predatory ease that makes Vierva's heart race.
What am I doing? she wonders, a flicker of unease washing over her.
"Hey Vierva, can I kiss you?" He asks, his face completely serious.
Vierva's breath catches in her throat at Dante's sudden, bold request. She turns to face him, her sage green eyes widening in surprise as she takes in the serious, almost intense expression on his handsome face. The car's interior feels suddenly small, the air between them charged with a sudden, electric tension.
He's asking for permission, Vierva realizes, a flicker of something almost like awe sparking in her chest. He's not just taking what he wants, not forcing a kiss upon me like he has every right to do so. No, he's asking me. Giving me a choice.
The realization leaves Vierva torn between a surge of gratitude and a fresh wave of unease. I should say yes, she thinks, her heart pounding wildly in her chest as she stares into Dante's pale, intent eyes. I should lean in, close the distance between us, and let him claim my mouth with his own. It's what he expects, what he wants...what a part of me wants too.
But do I dare? Vierva wonders, a shiver of fear and excitement racing down her spine at the thought of surrendering to this moment, to the dark, heady promise of Dante's kiss. Do I dare to give him this power over me, to allow him to breach the last of the barriers between us and lay claim to the final, intimate part of myself?
Vierva swallows hard, her mouth suddenly dry as she searches Dante's face, looking for any sign of deception or hidden motive. But all she sees is a raw, unchecked hunger, a dark and dangerous desire that sends a thrill of fear and anticipation through her veins.
I have to be smart about this, Vierva vows silently, her voice trembling slightly as she speaks. "Why do you want to kiss me?" she asks, her tone a mix of curiosity and caution. "What do you hope to achieve by it?"
"Your lips are pretty." he growls. "I want to achieve all of you."