Chapter 164

**Sara**

The restaurant entrance took my breath away. Crystal chandeliers cast rainbow prisms across white tablecloths, and fresh flowers adorned every surface.
"Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood?" A hostess in a sleek black dress approached us. "Your table is ready."
I bit back a giggle as Tom squeezed my hand. We followed her to a secluded corner table overlooking the lake. Tom pulled out my chair, his fingers brushing my shoulders as I sat.
"Your server will be right with you, " the hostess said, handing us leather-bound menus. And congratulations again on your nuptials."
"Thank you." Tom's foot found mine under the table as soon as she left. "See? The fake marriage is already paying off."
I opened the menu and nearly choked. "These prices are insane."
"Don't look at those." He reached across and closed my menu. "Order whatever you want."
"Tom..."
"What kind of husband would I be if I didn't spoil my bride?" His foot slid higher up my calf.
A waiter appeared with water and fresh bread. "Would you like to start with some wine?"
"The Château Margaux, please." Tom didn't even glance at the wine list.
"Excellent choice, sir."
I waited until the waiter left before leaning forward. "I just googled that wine. It's over a thousand dollars a bottle."
"Is it?" Tom's expression was pure innocence. "I hadn't noticed."
"You're ridiculous." I shook my head but couldn't help smiling. "A thousand-dollar bottle of wine for lunch?"
"Would you prefer champagne?" His foot traced higher up my leg. "We are newlyweds, after all."
"Stop that." I crossed my legs, trapping his foot. "We're in public."
"No one can see under the tablecloth." His other foot joined the first, sandwiching my leg between his. "Besides, I'm just showing affection for my lovely wife."
The waiter returned with the wine, and I tried to keep a straight face as Tom went through the whole tasting ritual. His feet never stopped their maddening caress of my legs.
"Are you ready to order?" The waiter pulled out his notepad.
"Ladies first." Tom's expression was pure evil as his foot slid higher.
I grabbed the menu, using it to hide my flushed face. My brain scrambled to focus on the French words swimming before my eyes while Tom's foot continued its torturous path up my leg.
"The, um..." I cleared my throat. "The coq au vin, please."
Tom ordered something I couldn't pronounce. His voice was smooth and controlled, while his feet wreaked havoc on my concentration. The waiter collected our menus, leaving me without my shield.
"You're looking a bit flushed, darling." His gaze twinkled with wicked amusement. "Are you feeling warm?"
"Keep it up, and I'll divorce you right here in this fancy restaurant."
"Without even getting married first?" His foot slid higher. "That seems premature."
"Fake divorce." I trapped his wandering feet between mine. "And I'll tell everyone it's because you couldn't behave in public."
"You wouldn't dare." He leaned forward, voice dropping. "Besides, what would we do with all these lovely honeymoon perks?"
"I'm sure I could find someone else to enjoy them with." I sipped my thousand-dollar wine, trying to look innocent. "That waiter seems nice."
Tom's eyes narrowed. "Now, who's misbehaving?"
"I learned from the best." I ran my foot up his leg, matching his earlier moves. "But at least I can control myself when the waiter's around."
"Fine." He caught my foot between his legs, holding it still. "I'll behave. Wouldn't want my wife running off with the help before our fake marriage even gets started."
"Smart man." I wiggled my foot free. "That's why I married you. Well, that and your obscenely expensive taste in wine. Plus, you look decent in a suit." I took another sip of the wine, savoring its rich flavor. "However, I prefer you out of it."
"Sara." His voice held a warning note. "What happened to behaving in public?"
"Just stating facts." I ran my tongue along my bottom lip, watching his eyes track the movement. "Like how good you look when you're all... disheveled."
The waiter appeared with our food, and Tom's expression promised delicious revenge later. Steam rose from my coq au vin, the aroma making my mouth water. I hadn't realized my hunger until the plate sat before me.
"This looks amazing." I picked up my fork, then noticed Tom hadn't touched his. "What's wrong?"
"Just enjoying the view." His eyes burned into mine. "The way you look right now... like you can't wait to taste it."
I deliberately wrapped my lips around the fork, maintaining eye contact as I took my first bite. The flavors exploded on my tongue, drawing an involuntary moan from my throat.
"God, that sound." Tom shifted in his seat, finally picking up his own fork. "You're killing me here."
"Just enjoying my lunch." I took another bite, letting my eyes flutter closed. "Mmm... so good."
"Two can play that game." He cut into his steak, the knife sliding through the perfectly cooked meat. His lips closed around the fork, and he matched my earlier moan. "Incredible."
Heat pooled in my belly as I watched him eat, his throat working as he swallowed. His tongue darted out to catch a drop of sauce from his lip, and my thighs clenched together.
"More wine?" He reached for the bottle, his fingers brushing mine as he filled my glass.
"Trying to get me drunk?"
"Would I need to?" His foot found mine again under the table. "You seem pretty... enthusiastic already."
I speared another piece of chicken, deliberately licking my fork clean. "Just really enjoying my lunch."
His eyes darkened. "Careful, Mrs. Blackwood. We still have dessert to get through. The chocolate soufflé here is legendary. It would be a shame to miss it."
I arched an eyebrow. "Legendary, huh? And just how many women have you brought here to experience this... legendary soufflé?"
"I came here once for dinner with friends." Tom's expression turned sheepish. "About a year ago. The soufflé made quite an impression."
"Just friends?" I traced the rim of my wine glass.
"Just friends." His foot nudged mine under the table. "I have to admit, the company today is far more enchanting."
"Smooth recovery." I flagged down our waiter. "Let's see if this soufflé lives up to its reputation."
Tom ordered two chocolate soufflés, and I watched the waiter's face light up. "Excellent choice, sir. They take twenty minutes to prepare. Would you like more wine while you wait?"
"No, thank you." I covered my glass before Tom could order another thousand-dollar bottle. "Water is fine."
The waiter disappeared, and Tom leaned back in his chair. "Afraid I'll get you drunk and take advantage?"
"More like afraid I'll get drunk and let you talk me into buying this entire restaurant."
When the soufflés arrived, their chocolate aroma made my mouth water. The desserts rose perfectly from their ramekins, dusted with powdered sugar.
"Oh my god." I took a bite and closed my eyes. The chocolate melted on my tongue, rich and decadent. "Okay, you win. This is legendary."
"Told you." Tom's spoon clinked against his ramekin. "But watching you enjoy it might be better than the dessert itself."
After we finished, I sat back with a contented sigh. "I don't think I can move."
"We should probably walk this off." Tom settled the bill without letting me see it. "What do you say? The lake path looked beautiful."
"Walking sounds perfect." I stood, smoothing my dress. "Lead the way, husband."
Tom's hand found the small of my back as we left the restaurant. "You're getting better at this wife thing."
"I'm a quick learner." I leaned into him as we stepped outside. "And I still think you need more husband practice."
"Is that so?" His fingers traced circles on my back. "What would you suggest?"
"You haven't told me I'm beautiful in at least twenty minutes."
"A terrible oversight." He pulled me closer, his lips brushing my ear. "You're absolutely breathtaking, especially in this dress."
"Better." I slipped my arm through his while we walked toward the lake. "Keep practicing. You might make a decent husband yet."
The Professor's Temptation
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