“You’re a vision. Thank you for wearing the dress,” he murmurs.
I nod as I pull back.
Smiling at Dad, I say, “I won’t be late.”
“Enjoy the night, snuggle-bug.”
Tristan waits for me to leave before he follows after me. The moment the door shuts behind us, he grabs hold of my arm, and I’m yanked into a tight embrace.
My breath explodes against his shirt, and for a couple of seconds, I stand frozen.
Tristan’s head lowers until I feel strands of my hair catching on the bristles covering his jaw. “You’ve had your eight months. Now I set the pace.”
An intense sensation spreads through my body, tightening my abdomen.
Pulling back, I take a deep breath, and then I lift my eyes to his. “First dinner, Tristan. I haven’t committed to dating you yet.”
The corner of his mouth lifts into a self-assured grin. “A minor technicality.”
Shaking my head, I can’t help but smile as I walk to his Mercedes Maybach. He opens the door, and once I’m seated, he shuts it softly. I watch him walk around the car, and then I fasten my seat belt.
Tristan slides behind the steering wheel and starts the engine, then he places a hand on my headrest. For a moment, he stares at me before his eyes snap to the back. He reverses out of the driveway, and unable to stop myself, I take in every movement he makes as he drives us away from the house.
“How was your trip to South Korea?”
“Everything I hoped it would be,” I reply, a soft smile forming on my face from the happy memories. “It felt like I stepped into a different world.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” he murmurs.
“How have you been?” I ask.
“Biding my time. Eight months have never passed so slowly before,” he admits.
My gaze drifts over his handsome features. “Thank you for waiting.”
My words earn me a sexy smirk from him.
When Tristan stops the car by the park where we shared our first kiss, I ask, “We’re going for a walk?”
He shakes his head as answer.
I wait for Tristan to open my door, and placing my hand in his, I climb out of the vehicle. He links our fingers and leads me down the path.
Under the tree where we kissed, a table for two has been set up. Lanterns illuminate the area, lending a romantic ambiance to the setting.
Tristan pulls out a chair, and he waits for me to sit. Once he’s taken a seat across from me, he says, “I thought we could pick up where we left off.”
A server appears from our left, carrying a tray with a glass of sparkling water and a tumbler of whiskey. After he’s placed our drinks on the table, he walks back to where a table has been set up for him to work from.
“I had a meal prepared for us,” Tristan mentions. “I hope you’re okay with a seafood platter?”
I nod. There’s a moment’s silence as Tristan tilts his head, just staring at me.
I can feel the tension building between us, and when it becomes too intense, I whisper, “What?”
“I’m just looking at you,” he murmurs.
TRISTAN
God, I was slowly losing my mind as I struggled to keep my distance from Hana.
For the past eight months, I had to satisfy my craving for her by stalking her. Stolen glimpses from my car as I watched her live her life. There must be a thousand messages I typed for her, only to delete them.
Finally, she’s sitting across from me. Every bit the red diamond I knew she’d be.
Her soft scent drifts to me on a breeze, and I take a deep breath. She looks breathtaking in the red silk, and the fact that she’s wearing it tonight tells me she’s ready for a relationship with me.
Unable to wait for a second longer, I murmur, “Make it official.”
Hana’s eyes widen. “Us dating?”
Slowly I nod once.
Her tongue darts out, wetting her lips.
She’s nervous.
“You know I haven’t dated before,” she reminds me. Her gaze meets mine. “If I agree, can we still take it slow? I need to get used to it.”
I nod again. “Of course.” Needing to set her at ease, I add, “I’d never force you to do something you’re not comfortable with, Hana.”
I watch her breasts lift as she sucks in a deep breath, and then she relaxes. “I really appreciate it.”
My lips curve up. “So, it’s official?”
Hana nods, a shy smile tugging at her mouth.
Christ, she’s extraordinary… and all mine.
The server brings the platter, and I wait for him to leave before placing a slice of salmon on Hana’s plate.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
Picking up her glass, she turns her head to the side as she takes a sip of her water, and it gives me a perfect view of her neck.
One of these days, I’ll leave my mark on her skin.