19. Hypnotized By The Glow

The night crackled with possibility. Xavier couldn’t tear his eyes from Charlize—her expressive gaze, sharp cheekbones, and a mouth so temptingly delicious. It was reckless, but he could already see himself getting addicted after one taste of her lips. And tonight, he wanted to know how they tasted.

Charlize broke the tension with a wry smile. “This all feels unbelievable,” she murmured, her voice trembling between skepticism and hope.

“Let’s have our dinner first. I need a full stomach before deciding how I’m going to make such a difficult choice...”

They walked toward the candlelit table, their footsteps echoing with anticipation. Xavier lifted the two silver domes covering the food. Underneath them were two giant lobsters, juicy steaks, and a bottle of expensive red wine—Xavier spared nothing. This was more than a dinner; it was a declaration. He’d never risked so much to impress anyone before, and the gambling pulsed in his veins.

“Why are you so quiet?” Xavier asked, his dark but dreamy eyes assessing her gaze.

“You seem like you weren’t done talking.” He smiled at Charlize.

“This is delicious. Thank you for dinner, sincerely...”

“You sound like you are about to leave. I have so much more planned for this evening.”

Charlize twirled her lobster in hot butter, her mind racing. Guilt pricked at her; she couldn’t talk about leaving if she wanted to. Now what should she talk about on a first date? If only Xavier were the only man on this island, that thought made her pulse quicken. But reality intruded: there were other men, other dates, other possibilities to explore.

“I don’t plan on eating and running. I’m good so that you can relax; it would be rude to do that.”

Xavier sighed as he sipped his wine and asked, “Would you feel better if I let you go home? Would you date me then?”

Twirling her lobster in the creamy hot butter once more, despite how extremely well these men were treating her, the thought crossed her mind: how long is this queen-like treatment going to last before they turn on me? And yes, she missed her family and friends. Everything on this island was so beautiful and so elaborately done up. He seemed like a friendly, brilliant man. But it wasn’t fair to the other two guys to put her mind on being with this man so soon. It was tempting to say she wanted to leave when she really didn’t. She only wished it were one man. It would be easier. But, of course, she would probably be floating on cloud nine if that was the situation.

“You never cease to surprise me with things that you say.” She replied, smiling.

“Do you find me attractive?”

“I don’t know. Alright, alright. Yes, I find you attractive. I’m not saying I’m not interested... It’s just that I have to keep an open mind.”

“You’re in denial and a little stubborn, and that’s okay.” Xavier sat there thinking it was adorable.

“This is a start. Tonight is our start, our opportunity, if you will.” Xavier stated, winking.

Suddenly, Xavier stood after watching her take a few bites, boldness radiating off him. Charlize looked up, startled, as his hand grazed her shoulder. He bent close, his breath warm on her ear. “Dance with me,” he whispered, a dare and a promise all at once.

She shook her head, no. Suppose he could not hear her words of rejection. It was her imagination. Did his fingers tighten their hold on her? Xavier’s eyes looked down at her, begging her to accept his offer. Charlize hadn’t danced with a male; it had been so long since the last time she kissed one. Xavier didn’t move away, which made her even more uncomfortable.

“Please get up and dance with me. Please, one dance...” His eyes pleaded with her once more. Simultaneously, he stepped in front of her, releasing her shoulders. Instantly, he had her hand in his, pulling her up from her chair.

“I don’t want to dance.” She unconvincingly protested.

“But I do. So come on and dance.”

“Look, I haven’t danced in a long time. Besides, Mark told me I didn’t know how to dance, so please...”

Xavier looked back at her, cutting her words short; he continued toward the dance floor.

“In the past, I couldn’t dance well either, and what does Mark Meadow know? So, we’ll stand still and sway to the music.”

Walking to the dance floor gave her time to look at this confident man’s long, lean body again. He’s tall, good-looking, and handsome. The silky hair on his head urged her to run her fingers through it. His dark eyes zeroed in on her, and when the thought, almost as black as his soul, flashed across her mind, Charlize could not control the shiver that went through her body.

Smoothly, he took her into his arms, and he held her tightly against him.

"I hope you don’t mind; I like holding my woman close to me.”

“I’m not your woman. I’m your dance partner. Charlize protested a little.

“Please, girl, stop...” He said, laughing softly at the sweet smell of her hair.

“It’s not funny.” I’m not trying to be funny here,” she said, but his cologne silenced her words.

“I find you quite humorous and cute; just relax.” So, naturally, Xavier had no intention of easing his hold on her delicate, curvy body.

Xavier was utterly lost, hypnotized by the glow of Charlize’s skin and the way her body seemed to sync with his every move. She spun and swayed, her hips drawing his gaze and his desire. The world narrowed to just the two of them, the music, and the hungry pull between their bodies. At last, the beat surged through him, and Xavier let go, burning up the dance floor, every move a question, every answer in her touch.

Xavier started moving to the rhythm, and she immediately recognized that his dancing far surpassed the average guy. She noticed his well-balanced physique and how much control he had over it.

She wondered if she could control herself and not break the rules.