32. Melody of the Heart

Laura - Mama’s Restaurant
Bogdan is speaking, but it's simply background noise to me. I can't focus on our chat or his thoughts anymore. Instead, I fix my focus on Paul, who begins flirting with that woman. Is he acting like this on purpose?
Paul's hand grabs hers and gently kisses her fingers. She grins at him, leaning in and exposing her large breasts. It doesn't bother me since mine are perkier and bigger. But, to be honest, I do mind. To persuade myself, I keep telling myself that it does not.
I resist the impulse to interfere and put myself between them. Or maybe I don't have to since Paul isn't staring at her anymore. No, his sight is drawn to mine and lingers. As if we were the only two people left on earth, I lose track of where we are and what I'm doing.
Bogdan notices I drift away. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I reply.
He frowns. "Are you sure? You seem distracted."
"Yes, I'm fine.”
Slow music resonates across the room, rubbish in contrast to the melody of Paul’s heart. I need to put my theory to the test and discover whether he's really here for me. It takes all I have to direct my attention to Bogdan. I smile as I reach out and lay a hand on his. My lips widen as Paul's pulse quickens. It's thumping faster and faster now, building to a crescendo that demonstrates he cares about me.
I love the effect I have on him, and I need it because Paul certainly affects me. A feeling I have not expected makes me feel both powerful and vulnerable at once. So I give the sweetest, most loving smile to the man in front of me, one that is meant for another.
“Oh, there’s something on your lip,” I say, taking a napkin and cleaning up Bogdan’s lower lip as slowly as possible.
Bogdan is stunned by my behavior. His eyes widen. He looks at me in disbelief and then smirks without complaining.
I return my focus to Paul as I relax back in my seat. This time, he's gazing at me openly, shocked in a rigid position. His expression darkens. Pleasure overflows as a result of having so totally captured his attention. After all, it's what I wanted, but I swallow when I see him standing from his seat, jaws and fists clenched, and coming my way.
That woman calls for him, but he doesn’t even look at her. The intensity of his gaze forces me to look down, not wanting to think of what’s about to follow.
To my surprise, I hear his voice, quite calm and serene, not at all what I was expecting.
“What a wonderful coincidence!”
“Indeed,” Bogdan approves, and they shake hands.
Paul smirks. “If I knew, I would have proposed a double date.”
“It’s not too late.” Bogdan keeps his usual charming grin.
"Unfortunately, it is." Paul approaches and comes to a halt right next to me. "I have to go to the office since the IT team reported a system failure. Sorry to disrupt your evening, but I'll also need Laura."
‘He’s jealous. My plan worked, but I’ll let him think I believe him.’ As I hear Bogdan’s thought, I look at Paul. He’s got a pretty good poker face if Bogdan is right.
“Laura, let’s go.”
I barely have time to stand up when Paul grabs my wrist and takes me outside the restaurant. When we turn right, and I know Bogdan won't be able to see us, I come to a halt and pull my hand away from his.
“What’s the emergency?”
He looks at me with an unexpected calmness, though he doesn’t say a word.
His stillness irritates me. "Are you concerned that if the paparazzi catch me with another guy, they will label you a cuckold in the media? Is this your end game? You think the same way as the other men."
"I'm not sure what the other men think. What I do think about you is that you have lovely eyes." His hands stroke my arms. "A cool skin that cools my heated one." His left arm wraps around my waist, his finger going up along my spine. They rise gently, finally halting when they reach my hair. He tightens his grip on my hair and makes a fist. "I've never seen such lovely hair." His fingers uncurl, and his thumb touches my face, then my lips. "The most enticing lips. It takes all of my strength not to kiss you right now."
I raise my chin, making it easier for him. "What's stopping you?"
His own lips tremble, as he struggles with his prejudices. It takes a while, and I almost sigh in defeat when he plunges toward me like a hungry beast. He pushes me into the wall, but I don't care. His lips are pressed to mine, his tongue savagely entering my mouth, searching every corner as I moan inside his mouth in a combination of surprise and pleasure.
I grab his hair with both my hands and press him even harder if that were possible. I want him more than I ever wanted anything before in my life. His warmth is everywhere around me, caressing me in an embrace so sweet that I would willingly remain trapped inside it forever. If this is how he wants me, then I’ll happily be his prisoner.
I've never been kissed like this before as if kissing is the only thing that matters and not just a precursor to more. It's as if he throws everything into one kiss: all his passion, soul, and desire. It's all too easy to get lost in it, all too simple to succumb to his demanding tongue. And it's certainly impossible to forget.
With a sigh, Paul pulls back enough to study my face. His lips are wet from kissing, his eyes dark and sparkling with flecks of silver. His hands are still cupping my face, and I want them to stay there forever.
I've already forgotten why we were bickering just a few moments ago. There is just one thing I need to do. As I reach out to grasp what I need, my heart tightens. I steal one more kiss.