Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 129980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
She nodded again, slower this time. Her mouth felt dry, and her lungs burned for air. Fortunately, the waiter returned, giving her a reprieve.
The Waterfront, located in Northern California, used fresh foods directly from farmer’s markets. The restaurant offered a wide selection of local seafood.
“I’d like to order for us,” Andrii said.
Her eyes met his above the menu. It would be interesting to see what he would order for her. Just the suggestion made her feel cared for. She loved seafood, but she was never decisive when it came to ordering. There were so many items that looked good. She didn’t want to go too expensive either. He’d provided her clothes, which cost enough already. Mainly, she wanted to be in his company.
“I’d like that,” she agreed. The waiter stood beside her, closer than she preferred, and she knew he could look straight down the plunging neckline of her dress.
Andrii reached across the table for her hand, giving her added reassurance. He clearly had studied the menu. “We’ll start with your crab cakes and oysters. We’ll both have the salad of young leaves. For the entrees, for my lady, the handmade seafood linguini, and I’ll have the halibut. For dessert we’ll share the strawberry shortcake and the peach and blackberry crisp. The lady will have the pisco punch and I’ll have an old-fashioned.”
Andrii handed the menus to the waiter, still holding on to her hand. One thumb ran over the back of her hand, brushing lightly. He adjusted his hold, so his thumb could slide over her inner wrist. She knew if he found her pulse, it would give away the secret of her accelerated heart rate.
“You will have to get used to men admiring the way you look, Solnyshkuh. I can’t take my eyes off you. I would expect that other men would look and lust after you.”
“What does Solnyshkuh mean?” She couldn’t quite get the pronunciation perfect.
He gave her one of his rare genuine smiles. “It is Russian for ‘little sun.’ A term of endearment in my homeland. I’m a citizen of this country now but lived there during my childhood and teenage years. I didn’t make the United States my home until a few years ago. I traveled quite a bit before deciding to settle here.”
She hugged that information to her. “And what is a pisco punch? I’ve never had one before and don’t have the slightest clue as to what is in it.”
“The drink is made with BarSol Pisco. It’s produced from the fermentation of one hundred percent Quebranta grapes.”
“So it’s a wine.”
His thumb slid along her inner wrist, keeping her all too aware of him.
“Yes, a wine. The drink is made with Lillet Rouge. That’s a blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot grapes with lemon and orange brandies. It also has quinine and a botanical infusion.”
Her heart jumped. She wasn’t used to drinking alcohol. She didn’t want to get drunk on one drink and mess everything up.
“The drink also has lime and pineapple gum syrup. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to drink it. We can get something else. You seemed up for an adventure, so why not try new drinks?”
His thumb continued those brushstrokes over her pounding pulse. She inclined her head, afraid she was going to burst into flames any moment. Electricity seemed to spark over her skin with each slide of his thumb.
“Before the waiter interrupted us, you were about to tell me if pleasing me gives you pleasure,” he reminded her, his gaze holding hers captive. “I think it’s an important question, and I would like an answer.”
She knew a nod wasn’t going to cut it. He wanted a verbal response. She had no idea if she was humiliating herself by telling him the truth, but she felt she needed to. It was the only way there was any chance of a future relationship. She honestly didn’t think she could hold Andrii’s attention for long, but already, she found herself falling under his spell.
“Yes.” The admission came out barely discernible. Color crept into her face. “I want to make you happy, and when I do the things you ask me, I can see that you’re happy.”
“Even when those things I ask are difficult for you?”
She thought that over carefully before answering. “It gives me more pleasure because it’s a hard decision, and when I overcome fear for you, that seems to bring you greater joy. That’s what I want for you.”
“Do you get the same pleasure from doing what other people in your life ask of you?”
Her eyebrow shot up. “Other people? I don’t have other people in my life. If you mean men, I don’t date.”
He looked satisfied at that statement. “Men such as Alan Billows. You’re what now? Twenty-two or three? You’ve known him going on at least seven years. Do you try to please him?”