Chapter 16

The evening before Victor was due to leave on a business trip, he invited me to dinner at a French restaurant near the office.

I hadn't expected the invitation, but turning down my boss seemed awkward, so I accepted.

The restaurant was charming, with warm lighting, elegant furnishings, and soft music playing in the background. Everything about the place felt intimate and sophisticated, making me increasingly aware that this dinner might look a little too much like a date.

Not that it was one.

Victor was my boss, after all.

"So, how do you like it?" Victor asked, glancing at me as I took another bite.

"It's delicious," I replied with a smile. "Although, I have to say, the restaurant itself is lovely, too. I really like the atmosphere here."

Victor smiled, seemingly pleased with my answer.

A moment later, he gestured toward the wine being served at our table and offered me a glass.

I hesitated before politely shaking my head.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not really used to drinking wine," I explained, hoping he wouldn't take my refusal the wrong way.

Victor chuckled softly and shook his head.

"Come on, just a little. This is one of their finest wines. You might even like it."

His easy smile made it difficult to refuse him a second time.

"All right, but just a few sips."

I finally accepted the glass and took a small sip, letting the unfamiliar taste linger on my tongue before setting it down.

As dinner continued, I found myself becoming increasingly conscious of the atmosphere around us. The soft music, the dim lighting, and Victor's undivided attention made the evening feel far more intimate than I'd anticipated.

Anyone who saw us sitting together would probably assume we were on a date.

Which was absurd.

I was having dinner with my boss, not a man I'd agreed to meet romantically.

Still, I couldn't help stealing a few glances at him.

The warm lighting accentuated his handsome features, and the longer I looked, the harder it became to understand how someone could look so unfairly good without even trying. His sharp jawline, straight nose, and deep brown eyes were enough to make any woman lose her train of thought.

Seriously, what kind of unfair arrangement is this?

He was nearly ten years younger than me, yet here I was, struggling not to stare at him like a lovesick teenager.

Unfortunately, my attempt at subtlety didn't last long.

Just as I was admiring his face, Victor suddenly lifted his gaze and caught me looking.

I quickly looked away, hoping he'd missed it.

Judging by the amused smile tugging at his lips, he most certainly hadn't.

"Is there something on my face?" he asked teasingly.

I froze.

"N-no! Of course not."

"Then why were you staring at me?"

Heat crept up my cheeks. I needed an answer, and I needed one fast.

"Your eyes," I blurted out.

"My eyes?" Victor repeated, his eyebrows lifting slightly.

I nodded, already regretting my impulsive response.

"Yes. They're a beautiful shade of brown."

For a moment, he simply looked at me. Then a soft laugh escaped him, and I could have sworn a faint flush crept across his cheeks.

Was Victor Haulette actually blushing?

Before I could dwell on the thought, he leaned back slightly and returned the compliment.

"Your eyes are beautiful, too, Sevra."

That did it.

I lowered my gaze immediately, suddenly finding my plate far more interesting than the man sitting across from me.

Get a grip, Sevra. It's just a compliment.

But the warmth spreading across my cheeks refused to fade.

And judging by the way Victor continued to smile at me, I had a feeling he knew exactly what he was doing.

***

As dinner came to an end, I placed my napkin beside my plate and prepared to stand.

The moment I rose from my seat, however, a faint wave of dizziness caught me off guard. My balance faltered, and before I could steady myself, a strong arm slipped around my waist.

"Careful, Sevra."

Victor's voice was closer than I'd expected.

I looked up to find myself caught against his chest, one hand instinctively gripping his arm.

"I'm fine," I assured him, though my heart was beating far too fast for someone who was supposedly fine.

His gaze lingered on my face. "Are you sure?"

"Of course." I straightened as much as his arm around my waist allowed. "I'm just not used to drinking wine."

It was only a few sips, but perhaps they had affected me more than I'd expected. Or perhaps the problem had nothing to do with the wine at all.

Perhaps I was simply too aware of the handsome man holding me.

That thought was far more unsettling than the dizziness.

Victor's expression softened as he studied my face. "Let me take you home."

"Oh, there's no need. I can get home by myself."

He let out a quiet sigh, as though he had expected me to argue.

"Sevra, don't argue with me this time."

There was something in his tone that made it clear he wasn't going to take no for an answer.

Before I could protest again, he guided me toward the entrance, keeping one arm around my waist in case I lost my balance.

Danny was already waiting beside the car. The moment he saw us approaching, he opened the rear door.

Victor helped me inside before sliding in beside me.