| Their meals arrived at that point and neither one of them could comment on Brian’s bold statement. He knew it was something he had to say. He had to let her know how he felt. He looked over at her warily, unable to catch her eyes as she looked down at her food, concentrating on adding condiments to the meal. Was she avoiding him after what he said? Belle looked up and his breath caught in his throat. The flames from the nearby fireplace sparkled in her eyes giving him a feeling of warmth and contentment. He felt overwhelmed and all he could manage was a weak smile. She looked so beautiful and all he wanted to do was take her into his arms and kiss her like she had never been kissed before. “How do you think the video is going to turn out?” Brian asked her grasping for a neutral topic, desperate to break the uncomfortable silence between them. He started to eat his dinner while he waited for her to reply. They then began a conversation starting with the video shoot and working it’s way to her movie career. They finished their dinner as they talked and ordered some dessert when the waitress appeared. “So do you think you will stay in acting?” Brian asked after she had left. “Well, I hope to. I really love it, everything about it. But I would be happy to do any kind of acting. It doesn’t have to be a major movie like I have just finished. That can be a little stressful at times, but even, as you once said, your little video.” She winked at him after saying that. “I just love the whole process. It’s like playing dress ups when you were a kid,” she laughed. “You’d move around a fair bit then,” Brian asked sadly. Belle frowned. She didn’t understand Brian’s mood change and he didn’t think he was able to explain it yet. “Would you like to dance?” he asked suddenly, changing the subject yet again. They both looked over to the small dance floor in front of the fireplace that burned brightly. Three couples danced closely to the soft music that played and it loved incredibly inviting. A smile lit Belle’s face. “I’d love to dance.” Brian stood and moved to Belle’s side, taking her hand in his as she stood and led her to the dance floor. The other couples made room for them and Brian pulled Belle into his arms naturally, their bodies fitting together perfectly. She lay her head on his shoulder and they moved to the music, both of them content to sway in each others arms, oblivious to anything else around them. Brian wanted to talk to Belle about their future, if they even had one. She was embarking on a new movie career, and he was hoping his career as a singer would take off after this video. They already had an incredible amount of success in Europe, but they hoped to one day be big in their own country. Realistically, their two chosen career paths were not compatible. He hoped more than anything they would be able to think of something to make it possible. Add to that dilemma was her past relationship with Kane. What if her past experience with Kane held her back? Brian wanted to be the one to mend her broken heart if she would let him. Dancing closely together, moving slowly to the music soon had him forgetting anything but the present moment. She felt incredibly good in his arms and his body stirred to life. He buried his nose in her hair and breathed in her unique scent, holding her closer as he did. He felt her relax into his embrace and he sighed. This was where he wanted to be, never wanting to let her go. Brian moved back slightly and looked into her eyes. For an eternity they gazed at each other, content to keep moving with the music, their bodies touching intimately. They were unaware that they were now the only couple on the dance floor and that they had drawn the curious stare of other diners. They looked like a couple very much in love to anyone who saw them. Brian’s tongue slid out to wet his bottom lip, tracing it from one side to the other slowly before pulling it back in. Belle forced herself to hold in a moan that wanted to escape. She wanted to feel those lips on hers, taste his kisses, and feel the amazing emotions that would rush through her body as they kissed with abandon. The sexual tension building up between them was almost palpable and she moved her body closer to his slowly, lifting her lips to his, closer, ever so much closer until she could feel his breath on her lips bringing on a wave of desire crashing through her. She wanted him, he wanted her, it was plain for anyone to see. “Ummm…. Dessert is here.” Brian said to her, a sexy grin on his face, looking over at their table and nodding in the direction. His eyebrow rose slightly, almost challenging her to say she didn’t care and she could swear she heard him chuckle. He wasn’t playing fair. She wanted to groan in frustration. Couldn’t he see that dessert was not what she had in mind, at least not the kind that was on their table. All she wanted was for him to kiss her, and he knew it. He was teasing her, building her up only to let her come hurtling back down again. She wanted him more than ever now. Perhaps that was his plan. When they returned to their table he sat across from her, grinning. “What?” Belle asked him trying to act as if he hadn’t affected her as much as he had. He had a sly look on his face and chuckled. “Oh nothing.” He leaned over the table and reached for one of Belle’s strawberries on her plate and dipped it into the cream. He took a bite of the red fruit, sighing aloud with delight as he chewed almost seductively. “That’s really delicious,” He informed Belle. She satt transfixed to the spot, staring at him, mesmerised by what he was doing. Again he reached over and dipped a strawberry into some of the chocolate first this time, and then cream. He put the sweet delight to her mouth and slowly she opened her mouth and took a bite, purposely getting some of the cream on her lips. Two could play at this game she thought. Belle moaned loud enough for him to hear and licked her lips slowly, first her top lip then her bottom, her eyes half closed as she did, evoking a look of pure sensual delight. She smiled to herself when she noticed Brian’s sudden discomfort as he squirmed in his seat. That was payback for him. A heady feeling of power overcame her, to know she could affect Brian the way she did. Then again, he did it to her too. They continued to flirt with one another while they ate their desserts followed by a cup of hot chocolate. They were both aware of the tension between them, both of them making the most of the atmosphere and enjoying themselves. Brian thought this was one of the most enjoyable dates he had ever been on, even if it was slightly uncomfortable at times. She was flirting as much as he was so that had to be a good thing. When they stood up to leave Brian pulled her close into his arms, his face near hers. He knew she expected a kiss after all they had shared over dinner, but he wasn’t ready to give in to his desire to kiss her deeply yet. He smiled again, a mischievous look in his eyes before winding his arm around her and leading her to the front. They put on their jackets and gloves but this time Brian didn’t care if they looked awkward with his arms around her. He pulled her as close as they could get and they left the restaurant. Brian purposely walked slowly, wishing to savour the feel of her body next to his for as long as possible. He didn’t want to say goodnight yet and lingered along the way. Only for the fact that it was freezing outside, he would have searched out some nice cosy corner to admire the night snowscape. But it was freezing and they had to get back and in front of a fire to warm up. That was it! They needed to warm up and maybe at this time of the night not many people would be sitting by the fire. Nothing was more romantic than sitting in front of a roaring fireplace on a cold winter’s evening. |