She lifted her hand and placed it on his chest, licking her lips as she stared into his eyes. “Who knows, maybe there was a little magic to it. I’m feeling a spark right now.”
“You don’t say; I didn’t even kiss the stone, and I’m feeling the same spark. Maybe your magic is rubbing off on me.”
“Maybe,” she whispered back just as her lips settled on his cheek. It was more of a peck than a kiss, but even from the quickest of gestures, Samuel could feel the spark ignite into an inferno. Vanessa pulled back and spun away, saying over her shoulder, “Aren’t we supposed to be eating soon? I’m famished.”
After the rest of the group finished with the stone, they made their way into the great hall of the castle. Though it was little more than ruins, the place still held an air of grandeur. One long table was set up with crisp, red linens, gold utensils, crystal goblets, and gleaming white china with gold trim. Twinkling lights were strung across the top of the open roof, adding to the already sparkling stars in the early night sky.
Samuel was assigned to sit at the head of the table, with Vanessa at his right side. They took their seats, ready to enjoy the meal that was sure to be divine.
The servers came around and filled each of their wine glasses with a vintage sauvignon blanc. Next, they brought out a seafood chowder. Samuel’s first spoonful was like an explosion of flavor in his mouth. He could taste both the fresh and smoked fish, as well as the pancetta. Each additional taste revealed new complex layers of flavor with hints of clam juice, bay leaves, and thyme.
“This is delicious. It might be the best bisque I’ve ever had,” Wade proclaimed from two seats down the table. “I hate to admit this, but Chef Aiden could give us both a run for our money. I might have to have him on my show as a guest judge.”
“Not before I book him on my show first,” Samuel retorted, his competitive nature surfacing. “I want to introduce him to America.”
“What are you saying? My show can’t do a good job of that?” Wade probed, a look of irritation on his face. “Just remember, my show was around before yours.”
“But my show filled a gap in the market. Just because—“
“Gentleman, I’m sure the chef will be more than happy to be on both your shows,” Tara interrupted, reaching out and patting her fiancé’s hand. “Let’s enjoy the rest of the meal for now.”
“She’s right, we can share Chef Aiden,” Samuel conceded, embarrassed he let himself get carried away with competing with his friend. “There isn’t anyone I’d rather share a guest with than you, Wade.”
“I feel the same.”
Several more courses passed by with a delicious salad, a fish dish, rack of lamb, and finally the perfect sweet ending, an Irish crème chocolate trifle.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a better meal,” Vanessa said as she placed her napkin on the table as they stood to leave.
“That’s because you haven’t had my cooking yet,” Samuel teased. “Once we’re back in the city, I’ll make you a meal that blows your socks off.” Then realizing how that sounded, he quickly added, “Not that you wear socks, or that I was thinking about what you wear or causing any of it to come off.”
Vanessa laughed, shaking her head and causing her chestnut curls to bounce around her face. “You do that often, don’t you?”
“What?”
“Put your foot in your mouth.”
“Only around you, it seems,” he said, reaching out and taking her hand. “Why don’t we go for a walk in the garden?”
“I think that would be lovely.”
Samuel and Vanessa meandered down the paths of the lush botanical masterpiece. When they reached the end of the first area, the band from the train was present, playing a slow song.
“Did you plan this?” Vanessa inquired, glancing between him and the band.
He shook his head. “I wish I could take credit, but it seems Simone thought of everything.”
As he gathered Vanessa into his arms, he was grateful for an excuse to hold her again. The longer she let him, the more he couldn’t help but stare down into her exquisite face and wonder what it would be like to kiss her perfect lips.
“You’re the best part of my birthday surprise,” Samuel confessed. “I didn’t expect to feel this way on this trip, but it’s true. I can’t help but want to spend every moment I can with you.”
“I know what you mean. When I agreed to come along with my sister, I had no idea that I would be seeing you again, let alone finding myself wanting to believe you’re interested in something real with me.”
“For the first time in a long time, I’m realizing that for the right woman, I’d be willing to change my lifestyle and commit to a relationship.”
“Are you saying I’m the right woman?”
Samuel let his mouth drift down to hers, deciding that a kiss could do the talking for him. The moment their lips touched, it was like a firecracker going off. The spark that had turned into an inferno, was now a firework show, lighting them both up from the inside. Vanessa moved her arms up and wrapped them around the back of his neck, her fingers tangling in his hair. Samuel held her tight, his heart pounding so hard, he felt like it might burst from his chest.
As he deepened the kiss, a fragment of a memory came floating back. This wasn’t the first time he’d kissed Vanessa. The intimate familiarity of the moment took him by surprise. Kissing wasn’t new to him, but Vanessa made it feel like it was.
A happy sigh escaped Vanessa as she pulled back and opened her eyes to look into his.
“We’ve done that before, haven’t we?” Samuel asked, already knowing the answer before she gave it.
She nodded. “Like I told you earlier, two years ago on New Year’s Eve, we had quite an evening. I knew by the end of the night, you wouldn’t remember it though. It was humiliating to be that forgettable, so I didn’t want to bring it up when we ran into each other again.”
“I don’t know how that was even possible; nothing about you is forgettable, Vanessa.” He couldn’t help himself. He dipped his head down to sample her lips once more. This time, he let his mouth linger, enjoying the feel of hers against his.
They spent the rest of the evening dancing under the stars, talking about his show and her plans to take over and expand her father’s advertising firm once she finished school. They found out that they both enjoyed watching classic movies and attending concerts. What surprised him most was that she attended church. She wasn’t pushy about her religion. It was more a part of who she was rather than something she did and expected others to do. As she talked about how it changed her life, he was taken back to a time when he went to church with his own family. There had been a time that he had really been close to God, but as his career took off, his faith took a back seat. He wondered if that was something he should rectify.
As they made their way back to the train, Samuel was certain of one thing; he was going to do whatever it took to make it work with Vanessa. She was the woman of his dreams, and he wasn’t going to let her go a second time.
Chapter Eight