Chapter 124
"Right this way," Michael said as he escorted us past a wall filled with fine china in different patterns encased in glass. He held the chair for me as I sat down, and then left discreetly behind the curtain.
I let out a deep breath, high from the experience. "Wow! Talk about the royal treatment!"
"Did you enjoy yourself?" Logan asked as he poured the champagne.
I nodded, not attempting to hide my amazement. "Very much," I replied as I took a sip of my wine. "How about you? Did you enjoy it?"
He smiled. "I loved it. In fact, I think I picked up a few pointers."
I laughed. "So, are you going to fix dinner again for me sometime?" I asked before I thought about it, remembering the night when he had fixed dinner for me in my kitchen in Nashville. Even though it was many years ago, I remembered it as if it were yesterday.
He smiled. "Sure. If you'd like."
I returned the smile as I held up my glass. "Let's just enjoy this evening first."
He nodded, and then held his glass up to me. "To us."
I nodded as I bit my lip, not wanting to get my hopes up for the future. But we had tonight. The glasses chimed as I touched mine to his and smiled.
He took a sip of his wine, and then set it down. "Are you okay?"
I nodded. "More than okay."
His expression turned serious as he looked down and then into my eyes. My breath quickened, anticipating what he was going to say next. "Allie, I know we have a lot to discuss, but right now, I want to enjoy this evening with you."
I nodded, forcing a smile as my heart sank, fearing that this was going to be our first date as well as our last. Knowing that my heart may pay for it later, I lifted my glass again and said, "To us."
"Here you go," Michael said as he set the first course onto the table, ending all conversation. Wild mushrooms and other delicacies were artfully arranged on our plates.
"This looks delicious," I said as Michael set the plates down in front of us.
A broad grin spread across his face. "I'll pass your sentiment on to the chef," he said, and then added, "If you require anything, please let me know."
"We will," Logan said, smiling.
Michael nodded once, and then turned and walked away, disappearing behind the curtain once again.
"Well," Logan said as he looked over at me. "Let's eat!"
I laughed. "How do you eat a masterpiece? It looks too pretty to eat!"
Logan chuckled. "It does, doesn't it? But let's see if it tastes as good as it looks."
We immediately dug into our food, and it was delicious. The mushrooms tasted so good that they melted in your mouth. Once I started eating, I was hungrier than I thought.
Before we finished the first course, Michael was back with the second.
Soon, the chef appeared with our entrees himself. "Here you go!" he said proudly as he set our lobster dinners down in front of us. "Is everything to your liking this evening?"
I nodded and smiled. "Very much so," I gushed. "Everything is exquisite."
Logan nodded his agreement. "Delicious. Not only was this a wonderful meal, it was truly a complete dining experience."
A broad smile spread across his face. "Well, I am so glad that you are enjoying yourself. If there is anything else that I can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask."
Logan nodded. "I will."
The chef nodded, and then turned and disappeared behind the curtain.
Logan reached across the table and gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "Allie, thank you so much for going out with me tonight. This has truly been one of the best nights of my life."
I nodded, smiling. "I'm so glad that you asked," I said in a low voice.
Logan picked up his glass, I picked up mine, and we clinked them together. As I sipped my wine, I wondered what the future held, but I quickly pushed the thought from my mind, determined to enjoy this time with Logan no matter how short it may be.
***
"Thank you for such an exquisite evening," I said, realizing how inadequate my word choice was to describe the experience, as Logan walked me to my door. "I had a wonderful time."
"The pleasure was mine," he said as his eyes suddenly smoldered. Then, he took my hand and raised it to his lips and kissed it, never taking his eyes from mine.
My heart pounded within my chest at the simple gesture. "Well, I'd better go inside," I said, my voice merely a whisper.
But as I turned to walk away, he took my hand and wrapped his arms around me. Without taking his eyes from mine, he smoothed the hair away from my face and I couldn't look away. An instant later, his lips descended upon mine, gently at first, and then with a passion unmatched by man. As he slid his hand down my back and cupped my ass, I didn't stop him, although I knew I would pay for it later emotionally. Then, he pulled me abruptly to him, and I could feel his erection through his trousers, fitting perfectly against my clit through the thin layer of my dress. Even though it was just one kiss, it was a very erotic experience.
He pulled back, and I caught my breath as his lips moved down my jawline to the hollow under my ear and breathed against my skin. "Stay the night with me, Allie."
My breath quickened. Although I wanted to say yes with every fiber of my being, my mind was saying no. I wanted to tell that part of me to shut up, but it couldn't be ignored. "Logan, we have so much to talk about "
"I know," he said, cutting me off as he pushed my hair back over my shoulder, away from my neck, and then looked in to my eyes. "But I need you, Allie. It can be just for tonight if you like, but I need you." He kissed my neck, and then traveled down, pulling my dress away from the top of my breast, and kissed the top.
"Logan, I need more time," I whispered, delirious with passion.
