Miles clears his throat. “She’s hanging in there. Second to last chemo treatment on Tuesday.”
“Glad to hear it. She’s on my mom’s prayer chain.”
“Thank you, sir. That’s very kind.” Then he looks at Alyse. “Nice of you to join us…”
“Alyse,” she offers. “Alyse Kingsley.” She holds out her hand and like the smooth old Italian operator Miles is, he takes the opportunity to bring it to his lips, lightly running them across her knuckles. I bristle, but Alyse squeezes my thigh with her other hand.
“Pleasure, Alyse. I’m pleased Asher finally deemed us worthy of bringing someone special around.” He winks.
“She’s my girlfriend,” I retort, pulling her hand away from his. She laughs and it’s like a beautiful string symphony to my ears.
“Your usual?” Miles asks with a sly smile.
“Yes, two please. And a bottle of the Marcassin Estate Chardonnay, please.”
“Is the two thousand and nine okay?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Of course.” Miles winks at me, making a hasty exit.
“You’re ordering for me now?” she mumbles under her breath as he’s walking away.
“You’ll love it, baby. Trust me. They make the best beef wellington in town here.” She’s silent for a moment and I can’t tear my eyes away from her.
“Your girlfriend?” she asks softly, searching my eyes. “Is that what I am?”
I lean over, whispering in her ear, “Only until I make you my wife.” It may be far too early in our relationship to say such things, but in my heart, I haven’t meant any words more that those seven.
She sucks in a surprised breath. I wait with bated breath to hear her response. She doesn’t disappoint. “Are you big into labels?”
“Only ones that actually mean something,” I retort, kissing her neck.
“I wanted to claw her eyes out,” she moans.
A smile tugs at my lips, but I try to keep it at bay. Glad to know I’m not the only one feeling rather possessive. Reluctantly, I force my lips from her neck. “I rather enjoyed your verbal exchange to a physical one. You were brilliant.”
She rolls her eyes.
“Now you know a little bit of what I’m feeling.”
“Except I didn’t fuck Aaron.”
There’s no point denying the truth. “Touché. But it was just once and I didn’t have my tongue anywhere near a single part of her body, just so you know.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better.”
Stroking her cheek, I confess, “If I could undo it, I would. If it’s any consolation, I regret it.”
She shakes her head. I wish I didn’t cause the frown that’s formed on her candy-apple-glazed lips. “I’m sorry. We all have a past.”
I cup her face. “My past has completely faded. I see no one who came before you. You are all I see, Alyse. You are my future. Only you.”
Her eyes twinkle with moisture and I don’t think I could I love her any more than I do in this moment.
Before Alyse can answer, a waitress interrupts with our wine. After I sample and approve it, she pours two glasses and gives us privacy.
“To a perfect evening,” I say, holding up my glass to hers.
“To a perfect evening,” she parrots, clinking mine then taking a sip.
With Alyse by my side, I have no doubt it will be.
Chapter 25
Asher
“What kind of club is this?” she whispers the second we walk through the red steel, nondescript door. It’s unmarked and looks more like the entrance to an industrial building than to a club. Since it’s for members only, they don’t want flashing neon signs drawing the general public in.
“The private kind,” I reply, giving my name to the receptionist behind the glass booth.
When you enter Curieux, you are enclosed in a small ten by ten brightly lit space and met by a beautiful, but usually conservatively dressed woman behind the protective barrier. Anyone who happens to stumble across this by accident is easily sent on their way or escorted by security if they prefer the hard one.
But when you are granted access into the club itself, the entire atmosphere changes.
It’s dark.
It’s seductive.
The vibe is intoxicating. Liberating. Decadent.
While I’m not a member of Curieux, I do know the owner. He’s one of my most important clients and a good friend, so I have an open invitation. I don’t like to take advantage of my friends, however, so I don’t come here frequently. And now I’m glad I don’t. I want to share some first-time experiences with Alyse. If the night goes well, maybe I’ll even consider becoming a member.