like a much better offer.” Heat radiated between my thighs. “Don’t you agree?”
Catching one of my lobes between his teeth and nibbling, he breathed huskily, “Much.”
Everything inside me clenched.
“But we can wait until after dinner.”
I let out a disgruntled growl, “Why not now?”
He lifted his head, raising a perfectly arched brow. “Don’t sound so disappointed. Eating actual food is a necessity, you know. And besides, we have the entire night ahead of us.”
“Only all night?”
“You might tire of me eventually.”
Snaking my arms around his neck, I captured his mouth, kissing him deliberately and seductively. “I would never tire of you…” Sliding the gown down my shoulders, lilac silk pooled around my feet. “Ever,” I murmured sauntering my naked body away from him and into the wardrobe. With his darkening gaze planted firmly on my bare behind, I remained hopeful that spanking was a big part of that plan.
Grabbing my clutch off the dresser, I informed a patiently waiting Ari I was ready. “Don’t dither; let’s go.”
His luscious mouth twitched in amusement. “Yes, ma’am.” Trailing after me out the door, he gestured to the sleek Imperial blue BMW sitting at the kerb.
“Nice car.”
A boyish grin formed pressing the button on the keys in his hand. “Indeed, it is.” He leaned down to grasp the chrome handle, opening the door for me. What a gentleman. “Your ride, ma’am.”
“Why, thank you, kind sir. I’ll be sure to give you your tip later,” I purred sliding onto the soft seat, the smell of leather and citrus permeating my senses.
“I don’t doubt it.” He chuckled, closing the door. Long legs quickly strode around the bonnet to slide in beside me, inside me was preferable. His mouth curved leisurely into a breathtaking smile. “Well, where to?”
Uncertain, I shrugged. “I don’t know, you decide. Any brain cells I had left you sucked from my body.”
Smirking, his hands flexed over his jeans. Hm, interesting. “I have a craving for Italian. And coincidentally, I know a lovely place on Lygon Street.”
“Sounds good,” I replied, snuggling into the seat.
“Okay, Italian it is then,” Ari said softly, reaching across to tenderly kiss me before starting up the car and roaring away from the kerb. That would never get old.
If anyone ever asked me about my favourite past times, one would be dining on Lygon Street in Carlton. The long length of street was buzzing, as it did most nights no matter what the season, with summer being the busiest of course.
Couples and families casually strolled a busy walkway that was awash with an array of cultured restaurants, cafés, and sports bars. Their staff hovered about the open doors ready to refill glasses for their jovial patrons already seated at the poky tables edging the footpath.
So busy was the night, Ari had trouble finding a car park close by forcing him to park around the corner in Argyle Street.
“Here we are. Wait there, I’ll get your door,” Ari firmly stated, switching off the car and stretching for the jacket laying across the backseat. I knew there was a reason I wanted and loved that man — pure gentleman.
I obediently waited as he climbed from the low vehicle and hastily walked his gorgeous body around the bonnet to open my door. His hand extended ready for me. “Thank you, kind sir.”
Closing the door, Ari roughly tugged me to him, landing a heated kiss on my lips. “Behave.” He growled, liberally brushing his lips against mine. “Or I’ll take you here on the footpath, and I don’t care who sees.” His domineering reaction had me wondering whether he understood the reference or not.
God, he smelled intoxicating. I would’ve happily lost my inhibitions in front of everyone, except without the ramifications. “Hmm, an enticing proposition, however, there are a few issues with venturing down that road.”
His head cocked. “Such as?”
“Well, for starters, we’d be arrested for lewd behaviour and indecent exposure,” I said, skimming my hands over the curve of his defined back. “Then we’d have to face the wrath of our families for getting arrested, and for embarrassing them. Not so enticing now is it?”
Ari scrunched up his nose. “No, most definitely not. The thought of facing my mother sounds awfully frightening.” He was right; trifling with an angry Audrina was not ideal on any given day.
I offered up a sensible substitute instead, “Dinner then?”
He pushed a soft, chaste kiss to my lips. “I knew there was a reason I was dating you.”
“Yeah, I’m the sensible one.”
Feigning offence, he grabbed my hand, the two of us laughing as we sauntered down the footpath. Enticing smells wafted out the restaurant doors making our mouths water. We were both starving, which wasn’t surprising considering our rather carnal afternoon.
Vendors shouted from their doorways, hoping to lure prospective customers with their competitive prices and decadent menus. We strolled straight past them until we reached Mercadante, a quaint Italian restaurant that made you feel as if you were in Venice, only without the canals.
“Here we are. Mercadante not only cook genuine Italian wood-fired pizzas, they also have the best wines,” Ari murmured, rubbing a hand over his growling belly.
My eyebrows shot up. “Why am I not surprised?” A dark brow raised above an even cheekier smile. I tutted as he dragged me through the open door.
Immediately a waiter dressed as a gondolier kindly greeted us. He directed us to a table situated beneath an open bi-fold window with views of the busy street where he duly informed us his name was Antonio and he was to be our waiter for the evening.
“Your menu,” he said, placing two black folders on the table directly in front of us. “Would you like a drink to start, signor, and signora?”
Responding in fluent Italian, Ari requested his preferences while slinging his leather jacket across the back of a chair. He slid into the opposite seat.
Pleased he had reciprocated his native tongue, Antonio nodded.
I wasn’t even aware Ari could even speak Italian but was impressed nonetheless. Then again, I was biased.
They switched back to English. “Of course, do you want to order your main as well, signor?”
“No, thank you. We’ll order those after our entrées.”
“Eccellente. I shall be back shortly with your wine,” Antonio replied before turning on his heel and heading towards the bar.
Ari’s dominant side hadn’t shocked me either. It turned me on, immensely. “You command, and people seem happy to jump.”
Filling our water glasses, he unapologetically answered, “I know what I want. Procrastination is a pet peeve of mine, and besides, eating while drinking was a foregone conclusion, I thought.”
“Fair enough, I can’t argue there,” I conceded, resting my folded arms across the table. I gazed curiously. “So, tell me about your business; what does an enigmatic CEO do with his day besides ensuring his hair remains perfectly intact all the while barking orders at his minions?” The corners of Ari’s mouth quirked in amusement.
“Jaeger Property Development oversees a multitude of items, ranging anywhere from rebuilds to new builds, commercial and residential. We also work alongside the various councils to ensure each development runs smoothly. I also own several properties, as well as shares in businesses around Victoria and New South Wales. The business has increased quite profitably, so much so, our Sydney