She had come.
Relief had him clenching his fists against his sides, but his gaze didn’t waver from her as Anneke made her way to him, a slim figure in her polka-dot dress and oxfords. Her every step conveyed grace and efficiency, something he knew only a rare few could achieve. He also knew most men would have found this intimidating, even a turn-off, but for Marcus – it was, always had been, hot as hell.
“I’m so sorry.” Anneke was embarrassed to feelandsound flustered as she reached Marcus. “I only saw your card a while ago.”
“It’s fine.”
Having expected Marcus to sound furious or offended, the calm tone threw her off, and her mouth opened and closed, Anneke not knowing what to do or say next. Thinking it was possible he was only being polite, she stressed, “It’s true.”
His lips twitched. “I know.”
Oh.
“You’re not the type to lie about this.”
Oh...again.
He pulled out a chair for her, and her eyes widened.Oh no. This was going to be embarrassing. Hadn’t she only come here to apologizeandtell him that meetings like this weren’t going to do at all?
“Have you come here straight from the office?”
“Umm, yes. But—-”
A warm hand pressed to the small of her back, and her voice trailed off. It was the simplest of touches, but also simply put – the heat of it took her breath away.
“You are in need of sustenance then,si?”
“Y-yes.”Anything to get him to stop touching her, Anneke thought anxiously, and so she took the seat he was offering. He finally moved away, and she started breathing normally.
A waiter immediately appeared by their side, handing them menus. Both of them were quick to make their minds up on what to order, something that privately amused Marcus. Practically all the women he had dated had made the entire process seem as time-consuming as a Rubik’s cube puzzle.
She watched the waiter turn away and bit her lip hard lest she accidentally call out for him not to leave. She could feel Marcus’ dark gaze on hers, and although the restaurant was fully packed, having his eyes trained on her so intensely made it feel like they were completely alone.
Unable to bear it any longer, she muttered, “Stop staring.”
“I can’t help it,bambina.” Marcus’ tone was actually faintly apologetic. “I have missed you very much—-”
“Stop saying that.”
When the entire restaurant fell silent, it was only then that Anneke realized she had said the words a little too loud.
Crap.
“I’m sorry,” Marcus suddenly said, just a little loudly.
Her head jerked up.
“I didn’t mean to offend you by saying I have a large cock.”
Anneke’s mouth dropped open while gasps could be heard all over the restaurant.
Marcus reached for her hand across the table. “Say you forgive me,cara?”
Realizing he had only done it to deflect attention from her, Anneke didn’t know whether to laugh and cry. Come to think of it, wasn’t it only Marcus Ravelli who could make her feel this way?
His hand squeezed hers. “Forgive me?”
She found herself nodding, and soon enough the noise level of the restaurant went back to normal. She pulled her hand back, and his fingers slowly loosened. “Thank you.” Her voice was stilted.