Page 43 of Vicious Impulses (The Capo and Ballerina)
We make it up to our hotel room, which isn’t a hotel room so much as it’s a penthouse apartment. I stare in wonder at the gold-trimmed furnishings and twinkling diamond chandelier. Caelian comes up from behind, sliding his muscly, veined, tattooed arms around my hips.
“Do you like it?”
“I… I’ve never seen anything like it,” I answer. “I’ve been to a hundred dinners at establishments like Vecoli, but this… this is something else.”
His grip tightens on my hips, prompting a funny ripple in my stomach. “This is for you. I wanted you to enjoy yourself.”
“I didn’t need… thank you.” I turn around to face him, doing what feels natural. My hands land on his chest and I peer up into his eyes. “I appreciate you letting me come with you on this trip. It’s great to finally get to go somewhere and not be stuck in your house. But why are we here?”
“Don’t worry about that, Nevi. You are here to enjoy yourself. Ms. Poitier will be by to help you dress for our dinner.”
He takes one of my hands and kisses me on the palm. Sensually. Tenderly. In a way he never has before.
I realize a second too late it’s a kiss goodbye.
I’m left standing in the middle of the lavish penthouse-like hotel room. Though this might be the place we’ll be staying for the foreseeable future, I feel like a child in a fine china shop. Scared to touch anything and unsure what to do and where to go.
Thankfully, Ms. Poitier shows up a minute later.
“How do you like the accommodations, dear?”
“They’re… unbelievable.”
She smiles, guiding me toward the next room. “Just wait ’til you see the closet.”
* * *
Caelian’s eyes flash with approval when I walk into the Bareiss’s formal dining room. All other reservations for the night have been canceled in order to accommodate us. Gentle classic music plays in the background and dozens of candles flicker, giving the cavernous space an intimate feel.
Ms. Poitier dressed me more provocatively tonight—a midnight blue dress drapes my body with a deep neckline, spaghetti straps, and an asymmetrical high slit that creates a sexier silhouette than I realized I was capable of.
My thick hair’s been twined back and pinned up with only a few loose tendrils framing my face. The sparkling gold jewelry around my neck and wrist and dangling from my ears matches the luxury vibe of not only the hotel but tonight’s vibe itself.
Caelian rises from his chair and evokes another flutter of nerves out of me. He stands at his place at the table in his usual all-black ensemble of a button-up shirt and slacks. Both fit him impeccably well, tailored to his muscles and large size. The short strands of his faded buzzcut hair makes my fingers inch to run over it.
His wolfish gaze on me, flicking up and down, I feel like I’m being devoured.
I move to take my seat at the opposite end of him. He takes a brisk step forward to intercept me.
“That’s too far. I want you up close. Over here.”
He draws me into the seat to the right of him. So close, when we both sit down, it feels like our knees could touch. A result of his lengthy limbs encroaching on my space.
But I don’t say anything.
I don’t mind.
We’re served our widest selection of food yet. It spans a range of different cuisines from Italy to France. Many of the other dishes are native to Switzerland.
I sample some of the roasted basil soup and hum from its tastiness.
Caelian smiles. “So shedoesknow how to eat and enjoy a meal.”
“She does when she feels comfortable doing so.”
“I’ll take it. As Ms. Poitier says, baby steps are still steps forward.”
“You follow her advice often. It’s… endearing.”