Chapter 4: Atreus Appears

"Your name would suffice as payment," Atreus responded with a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes.

Layla stared at Atreus for a moment then laughed softly.

"Apparently the men from this town are relentless," Layla said with a laugh and offered him her hand. "My name is Layla."

Atreus took her hand gently and a shock of electricity seemed to flow from their touch. Layla shivered as the warmth in Atreus' eyes contrasted with the coolness of his skin.

"It's nice to meet you… Layla," Atreus said in a low voice that caressed the syllables of her name.

And Layla was stuck there at that moment for what seemed like an eternity. She knew that she was staring and that she should probably pull her hand away. But she was drowning in his eyes and didn't want to come up for air.

The curve of his lips deepened as he watched her with his hungry gaze.

"What's going on over here?" Mia's voice startled Layla from her trance.

Layla pulled her hand away from Atreus and took a deep breath.

"Oh nothing," Layla said, trying her best to keep her voice level. "Mia this is Atreus, he was the guy I met at the museum today."

Mia eyed Atreus up and down with her devious grin in place.

"Aah," she drawled before taking a slow sip from her drink. "Layla told me so much about you."

Layla laughed nervously and shot Mia a warning glare.

"Not much to tell since we only spoke for like two minutes," Layla said, her voice tight.

Atreus wasn't thrown in the least, in fact, he seemed amused by this.

"Already my reputation precedes me. My name is Atreus. And you are?" he asked Mia, holding out his hand.

"Mia," she said, shaking his hand slowly. "So, what's your story, Atreus? What brings you out on the town this fine evening?"

Layla wanted to step on Mia's toe for being such a busybody, but she was also curious about Atreus' response.

"Just out enjoying the scenery," Atreus said casually, before cutting a glance in Layla's direction.

Layla tried to shed the idea that she was the scenery he was talking about, but the look in his eyes was making it difficult. Mia undoubtedly noticed the exchange between them.

"Well, would you like to join us for a drink?" Mia asked, gesturing to the table that currently seated Hope and Emma.

Atreus pulled his gaze from Layla and smiled at Mia. "That's kind of you, but I won't be staying long," he said, dipping his chin.

"All right, well I'll leave you to it," Mia said, throwing Layla a wink before leaving her alone with Atreus. Suddenly, she wasn't sure what to say to this domineering force in front of her.

"So…" Layla said slowly, "do you live here?"

"No, I'm from Milan," he said. "How about you?"

Layla shook her head. "I'm visiting from America," she said casually.

Atreus nodded and watched her quietly for a moment.

"Layla," he said in that silky voice. "I hope I am not being too forward, but I would love to have dinner with you. Are you free tomorrow evening?"

Layla's stomach did somersaults.

"I- uh, sure- I mean, yes I'm free tomorrow," she managed to stutter out, a thrill of excitement flowing through her.

"Beautiful," Atreus said with a small smile.

"Do you want my number? Or I can take yours…" Layla said dumbly and instantly regretted it. She felt her face flush with red.

Atreus' eyes seemed to flash dangerously for a moment before taking a deep breath.

"What if you met me at the restaurant?" he suggested. "At the Bona Bottega around eight o'clock?"

"Sure, that sounds great," Layla said with a smile.

Atreus nodded before taking her hand and placing a gentle kiss on top of it.

"Until then, Layla," he said softly, giving her a lingering look before turning around and walking away.

Layla watched him depart and bit her lip as excitement overwhelmed her. Once Atreus was out of sight the three girls from the table started whooping at her.

"Layla!" Mia hollered, "You dirty girl!"

Layla immediately spun towards them, her face burning red.

"You guys are the worst," she groaned as she made her way over to them and sat at the table.

"But seriously though," Mia said, her eyebrows lifted, "you weren't kidding, that guy is like the hottest dude I have ever seen."

Layla put her cool palms to her flaming cheeks. "Yeah, I think I'm in love," she said with a sheepish grin.

***

The next day Layla and Mia spent the afternoon sightseeing with Hope and Emma. Layla tried to focus on the landmarks and exhibits they visited as they explored the city, but her thoughts kept returning to Atreus.

She couldn't wait to see him again. While a part of her knew that it could potentially be dangerous to go out with a stranger - only knowing him for a couple of hours - she couldn't resist him.

So, to be safe, Mia and Layla had made a buddy system for the evening. Mia was going to hang out with the rest of the group not far from the restaurant, so if Layla needed her, she wouldn't be far away.

Once the sun started to make its descent across the sky, the girls made their way back to the hotel so that they could all get ready for the evening. Layla pulled out the shimmering steel grey dress that she had purchased at a shop earlier that afternoon. After she put it on, she examined herself in the mirror.

Mia stepped up behind her and gave a long whistle. "Yep, that's a husband-snagging dress if I ever saw one," she said with a grin.

Layla smiled. "I'm not out trying to snag a husband, but thank you for the compliment," she said, smoothing down the thighs of the dress.

It sparkled gently in the night and hung loosely off of Layla's curves with a slit up to her mid-thigh.

"Girl, please, you don't wear heels for anyone," Mia snorted, as she bumped her hip with her own.

Layla looked down at her black-heeled stilettos. "I couldn't resist, they just go so well with the dress," she pouted.

"I bet they will go perfectly with the engagement ring too," Mia teased.

Layla gave Mia a look before giving herself one more look over in the mirror. Her auburn hair hung in gentle waves down her and the black pearl earrings glowed gently on her earlobes.

"Girl, you look gorgeous. Now let's get out of here before you're late!" Mia said with a warm smile.

The two made their way down to the lobby and slipped into an empty cab that waited out front.

"Ok, you've got your phone right? And it's fully charged?" Mia asked seriously, as she glanced at her own phone.

"Check and check," Layla said dutifully.

"All right, if for even a second things seem to get weird, you call me and I'll come to get you asap, ok?" Mia said, with a rare expression of seriousness.

"I will, I promise," Layla said.

The cab pulled up to the restaurant. Layla gave Mia an excited expression before giving her friend a hug and stepping out of the cab. Layla looked around the entrance of the restaurant, wondering if Atreus was going to meet her outside.

She didn't have to look long as her eyes landed on Atreus who was walking toward her. He looked drop-dead gorgeous in an all-black suit. Those amber eyes seemed to glow as he looked her over head to toe.

"You look stunning, Layla," he said, that sinful smile of his lifting his lips.

"Thanks, you look great yourself," Layla said dumbly, wishing she had said something more eloquent.

"Hey mister, I want her back before bedtime," Mia said from the window of the cab.

Atreus looked down at her and nodded with that smile still in place. "Yes, ma'am."

"Have fun!" Mia crooned with a wave as the cab drove away.

Atreus returned his gaze to Layla's. She swallowed gently, feeling her heart start to pound a little harder under those eyes.

"So…" Layla started, her throat suddenly dry. "Have you ever been here before?"

Atreus looked up at the restaurant. A green carpet lined the sidewalk leading to the entrance and garden lights lined the eave that stood over the large glass doors.

"No, but I have heard great things about it," he said, offering her his arm. "Shall we?"

Layla nodded and took his arm with a small smile. The two of them stepped into the restaurant where the concierge was waiting. The man greeted them in Italian and Layla's attraction for Atreus grew when he responded in perfect Italian as well.

The man stared at Atreus for a moment, almost as if he were in a trance. Then just as quickly he smiled at the two of them and escorted them into the restaurant. Soon the two were seated at one of the more private tables out on the balcony. The table was covered in white satin with a ruby red table runner and long-fluted champagne glasses. A single tapered candle flickered between the two of them.

"This place is really high class. How did you manage to get a reservation on such short notice?" Layla asked, settling her ruby napkin in her lap and admiring the beauty of the city below.

"You'd be surprised how influential I can be," he said in a voice that could steal the breath of a thousand women.

Layla looked at him and her stomach curled in pleasure at the devious grin on his face. Her heart thrummed at his expression and she had to look away so that she didn't look like a gawking fool.

She missed the flash of hunger that burned in Atreus' eyes as he watched her pulse work in her neck.

"So, since you are familiar with the native tongue here, which I am completely impressed at by the way, you are going to have to help me order," Layla said bashfully.

"I'd love to," he said as he scanned the gold-trimmed menu.

After a few minutes of discussing the food options, Layla settled on a bowl of gnocchi chicken soup sided with a salad. Soon their orders were placed and they were alone once again.

The music wafted subtly across the patio and Layla took a sip of the wine that Atreus had ordered.

"This is delicious," Layla said genuinely, not sure of anything else to say.

She felt out of her element having never been to a restaurant so fancy and especially in the presence of this Adonis. Atreus took a drink of his own wine and watched her quietly.

"Layla, there's no need for you to be nervous," he said, placing his glass down gently.

Layla looked at him and tilted her head. "Why would you think I'm nervous?" she asked softly.

That knowing smirk lifted his lips and he leaned in, took her hand, and brought it to his lips.

"I can hear your heart pounding from here."