An Uncertain Affair (The Affair Series Book 2) (3 page)

Sergio
turned to me and said, “Magnificent…just like you.” He took my hand and kissed
it softly, then leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. His deep Latin voice reverberated
through me.

His
advances caught me off-guard. My heartbeat quickened, and I stumbled over my
words. “Sergio, I…”

“I’m
sorry,” he said, backing away. “I didn’t mean to be so forward. I just find you
very attractive. I’m sure you have a boyfriend, so I’ll try to behave myself.”
But he was still holding my hand, and his soft lips curled in a sly smile. I
could feel my nipples tighten, responding to his kiss, pushing against the
confines of my clothes.

“It’s
okay,” I said softly. “I actually don’t have a boyfriend, and I’m very
flattered.” I held up my glass to toast to him. “You’re quite charming,” I
added.

“Well,
now, that’s very good news,” he said, referring to the fact that I didn’t have
a boyfriend, and refreshed both of our glasses with a little more wine. He
clinked glasses with me and said, “I’m looking forward to working with Pratt
Photography…very closely.” He winked at me and took a sip of the wine.

I
felt awkward, not knowing exactly how to ask if he was seeing anyone. I didn’t
want to assume that he wasn’t in a relationship simply from the fact that he
was enthused that I didn’t have a boyfriend. “Sergio, I don’t mean to pry, but
I know you’ve been though a lot with the death of your wife.”

He
picked up on where I was going with the conversation. “Yes, it’s been difficult
for a while. I was seeing someone briefly last year, but I realized I wasn’t
emotionally ready to let anyone back into my life. I’ve been seeing a grief
counselor who has been a great source of comfort and strength for me, and I’ve
been driving myself hard between Buena Comida and this book, trying to get my
life back on track. I feel like things are finally coming together.”

“I
give you a lot of credit for pushing through all the challenges that have been
thrown at you. I can’t imagine how hard it’s been to manage everything and deal
with your grief.”

“I’ve
had good people around me for the last couple of years, and now a delightful,
unexpected muse,” he said, staring deeply into my eyes. He gently kissed my
cheek and asked, “Will you have dinner with me here tomorrow night?”

“I,
I’d...” I was tongue-tied again. I wanted to say yes but was suddenly, unsure
whether socializing with a potential client was a good idea.

“Please?”
he asked. “I want to get to know you a little better if we’re going to be
working together. I promise, no strings, just dinner.” He raised his glass
toward me without a formal toast.

He
was irresistible. “That’s reasonable,” I said, raising my glass in return. I
hoped he didn’t notice my heart practically pounding out of my chest.

“Okay,
then. Meet me here at eight-thirty. I’m working the first few hours of the
dinner rush, but after that I can completely focus on you.” He took my hand and
kissed it. My face flushed, and I couldn’t help but smile. “You’re very
beautiful,” he whispered with his seductive accent.

“Thank
you, Sergio. You’re very sweet.”

It
was a little after five, and some of the restaurant crew had begun to filter
in. They kept themselves occupied as far away from us as possible, but with the
dinner hour creeping up, they had to get busy with their set ups. Trying to return
the conversation to business, I thanked Sergio for his time and for letting me
present the proposal to him in person. He kissed me on both cheeks. “The
pleasure was all mine,” he beamed. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that quick
good-bye, he was swept up into the fray of the dinner prep.

When
I was out the door, I took a deep breath to try to calm my pounding heartbeat.
He was so seductive and alluring. After a few moments of regaining my
composure, I called Dane with the news.

“That’s
awesome
! What did he say?” Dane asked.

“He
thought the proposal was magnificent. He’ll run it by Adele, but it sounds like
that’ll be a formality. He said he’s looking forward to working very closely
with us to make the book come alive.”

“Oh,
Bridget, that’s so amazing. You were so smart to think of presenting to him in
person. I’m sure that made a difference.”

“It
made an impression on him for sure,” I quipped, not divulging my dinner date or
Sergio’s interest in my love life. There would be time for that conversation
later.

After
we hung up, I called Valerie to give her the good news. “You go, girl!” she
said enthusiastically. “How great is that? What did Dane say?”

“He’s
excited, too. I think it’s going to be huge for him…and
you
,” I said,
acknowledging that this could be a career-changer for both of them. She and
Dane had shot many other cookbooks together, but Sergio Ramirez was practically
a household name. This would give both Dane and Valerie star status.

There
was no point in telling Valerie about my personal conversation with Sergio,
either. By Sunday, it might have only been a fleeting flirtation over some sparkling
wine, but I wasn’t going to dismiss any possibilities. I was jazzed to be the
guest of the star executive chef of Buena Comida,
the
Sergio Ramirez. Dressing
for the occasion and perhaps enticing Sergio a little would be challenging, but
it was the first time since I’d moved to Portland that I had a social
engagement to look forward to. It was refreshing.

Saturday
morning, I went for a long run and thought about the possibility of becoming
romantically involved with Sergio. I weighed the professional consequences,
along with the personal perks. My life had been a train wreck with all the
craziness I left behind in New York, and I’d been mostly alone since I entered
witness protection. The thought of having male companionship and perhaps a
lover was very intriguing.
Sergio
was intriguing. His soft, supple lips
had grazed my cheek at the restaurant, and I fantasized about a long luscious
kiss. My stomach quivered just thinking about those lips.

I
also had to consider the business side of the equation. Things could get awkward
if our personal relationship didn’t work out. Sergio and I were professionals,
though. I was sure we could set aside our personal differences and carry on a
business relationship. That’s what I wanted to believe, anyway.

When
I got home, I spread my wardrobe options out on the bed and perused them with a
critical eye. Nothing was right. Everything was too formal, too business-like,
or too casual. I searched for cocktail dresses online at a few of my favorite
sites before hitting the mall to expedite the process. H&M had the perfect
dress. It was black and three-quarter length, with sections of mesh that made
it elegant and sexy without being
too
suggestive. If it looked as good
on me as it did on the model in the picture, maybe Sergio would pick up on the
suggestion.

Crazed
Christmas shoppers filled the mall. The expedition to secure the dress took twice
as long as it should have, but it was worth every minute. The ensemble gave me
an air of sophistication without being too showy. And the entire trip was a
good distraction to fill the afternoon. I’d already been overthinking the date.
Sergio had said, “No strings attached, just dinner,” but his naturally
seductive aura was hard to ignore. There was no reason to force the situation
to go one way or the other. I would just see how the evening evolved and enjoy
it.

As
I showered, I imagined his soft hands caressing me. Just thinking about his gentle
touch on my bare skin aroused me. As I got dressed, fantasies about the evening
ending in romance played in my mind. He seemed particularly pleased that I
didn’t have a boyfriend, and the fact that he found me “attractive”
gave
me some indication of his mindset. I slipped into some Journelle lingerie that would
make me feel a little sexier and inspire me to be a bit more flirtatious. It
would certainly make for a fun evening, even if the opportunity never
materialized to unveil the seductive lace.

I
hurried from my car through the chilly December wind to the warmth of the
restaurant. The hostess escorted me to a reserved seat at Joseph’s bar. He
welcomed me and poured one of Sergio’s signature cocktails. It was a mix of
Reposado tequila, fresh-squeezed grapefruit and lime juices, and a splash of club
soda. One taste and I understood why it got such rave reviews. It was very
refreshing and took a slight edge off my nervous energy.

Sergio
came around the corner of the bar in his chef’s whites and took both of my
hands in his. “Hello, Bridget!” he said, kissing me on both cheeks. “You look exquisite!
Give me a few minutes and I’ll join you.”

My
heartbeat quickened from his kisses. I tried to remain calm and appear
nonchalant. “No worries,” I said. “Take your time.”

The
mood in the bar was extremely festive. Joseph came back over to make small talk
until Sergio returned. “I hear you work with Dane Pratt,” he said. “He does
some awesome work. It’s cool that he’ll be shooting Sergio’s book.”

“We’re
thrilled about the project,” I managed to blurt out, even though I was floored
that Sergio was already telling his staff we would be shooting the book. Adele
wouldn’t be back for a few more days, and I thought she had the final say on the
project.

“Yeah,
Sergio was pretty jazzed after your meeting yesterday. I saw some of the work
you presented. Pretty stunning shots.”

“Dane’s
very talented and creative, just like Sergio. I know the collaboration will
make for a killer book.”

Sergio
came up behind me in his civilian clothes. He wore a gray collared shirt and a black
blazer with black jeans and cowboy boots. For a moment, my mind flashed back to
my first real date with Adam Comstock, when he wore jeans and cowboy boots.
Don’t
go there!

“That
was fast,” I said, adding, “You look very cosmopolitan.”

Sergio
smiled his broad, inviting smile, put his arm around me, and kissed me, on the
forehead. Joseph poured him the same signature cocktail. “Ahh. I’m so happy
you’re here, Bridget.” He looked over toward the hostess, who nodded at him. “Our
table’s ready, so why don’t we get comfortable over there?”

We
said our good-byes to Joseph and headed toward a corner of the dining room. The
booth he had reserved was raised up from the main floor and faced the street windows.
Sheer drapes provided a bit more privacy. Celebrity clientele frequented
Sergio’s restaurants, and this was one of the tables he reserved for them, providing
the utmost privacy so they could enjoy dinner in peace. That night, it was our
private space.

“Thank
you for joining me tonight,” Sergio said as he visibly relaxed. “It’s been such
a busy time, and this is a wonderful break from it all enjoying dinner here with
you.”

“It’s
a treat to be here,” I confessed. Before I could say another word, he pushed
the hair off my shoulder and kissed my neck. My senses stood at attention, and
shivers went down my spine, reverberating to my core. He was unbearably sexy.

“I’ve
been thinking about you since you left yesterday,” he whispered close to my
ear. “I’m so glad we have this time to get to know each other better,” he added,
kissing my cheek.

I
tried to maintain an outward calm but inside, I was on fire. My face flushed. “I’m
surprised you could take the time. You obviously have your hands full with all
the holiday parties going on.”

“This
was a perfect excuse to get away from it for an evening,” he said, grazing my
cheek with his soft hand. “Are you hungry? I’ve selected some of my favorite
dishes for you to taste tonight.”

“I’ve
never had the pleasure of eating here, but there’s certainly a lot of buzz
about your tasty menu.”

“Well,
I hope you’ll enjoy it. Is there anything you have an aversion to?”

“No,
I’m an omnivore,” I smiled.

He
chuckled. “Well, that’s good to know.”

There
was a series of buttons on the edge of the booth, one of which signaled the
waiter to come to the table. Since Sergio had pre-ordered our meal, the first
course came without any preliminary conversation. Splendidly fresh raw oysters
with smoky chipotle salsa and fresh lime glistened on a bed of crushed ice.
Sergio’s salsa made the oysters extraordinary.

“I’m
a huge foodie,” I said. “Two of my favorite things are trying new flavor
combinations and tasting new foods that I’ve never had before. These flavors
are so amazing.”

“Well,
then, you know oysters are the food of love,” he purred, curling his lips into a
mischievous smile.

“I’ve
heard that,” I flirted.

“I
find that the heat from the chipotle amplifies the aphrodisiac quality of the
oysters a bit,” he added with a playful authoritative tone.

The
heat was already building in me, too. I responded, a little tongue-in-cheek,
“You don’t say?”

The
courses kept coming, each one more tasty and unusual than the one before. I
think my favorite was the wild prawns in lobster sauce. It was over the top. And
the more unusual and tasty the food, the more interesting and alluring I found
Sergio. We talked about our favorite foods and favorite food experiences all
through dinner. His stories were so romantic and rich. Every detail was
considered, from the surroundings where he experienced the food to the people
he’d shared it with. I was learning quickly that there was a lot of complexity
to this intriguing man.

Dessert
arrived, warm chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream with a hint of cacao. It was
the perfect finale to a phenomenal meal. I was totally captivated. As we sipped
espresso, he moved a little closer. He gently kissed my neck, and then whispered
in my ear, “Will you join me upstairs in my flat for a nightcap?”

My
stomach twisted; a wave of desire rushed through me. “That sounds nice,” I said
as casually as I could to try to conceal my anticipation.

There
was no need to sign off on the dinner bill, so we made our way through the
dining room to his private elevator. A turn of his key commanded the door to
open. The ride to his fifth-floor loft was swift. When the door slid open, the
space felt extraordinarily private. The building was in a low-rise part of town,
putting us above all the surrounding rooftops. A sweeping skyline view twinkled
in the distance. He walked a few paces in front of me, switching on lights so
we could find our way. The furnishings and art sculpted each room into a
romantic tableau. Just as his sensibility for food had piqued my interest at
dinner, his design sense heightened my perception of his complex character. The
more I learned about Sergio, the more enticing I found him. He gestured for me
to sit at the bar facing his impeccable kitchen. He shrugged out of his jacket
and slid behind the counter to unearth a bottle of mescal. The smoky liquor
tingled, gliding down my throat as my hunger for him prickled through my body.

“You
are incredibly beautiful, Bridget,” Sergio breathed inches from my lips as he
held my cheek. He kissed me gently.

“Oh,
Sergio, you ….”

“Shhh….”
he said, holding my hand as he led me to the bedroom. A flip of a switch ignited
the fire, and another button filled the air with soft music. “Are you
comfortable here?” he asked, looking for my permission.

“Oh,
yes,” I responded without hesitation. I wanted him badly. His lips engulfed
mine as he wrapped his arms around me. Our tongues danced. My mouth was on fire
from his kisses. He took a deep breath and slowed his advances, but that didn’t
temper my intense arousal. Slowly he unzipped my dress, sliding his warm hand
under the soft fabric, caressing my back. His touch was titillating. I was glad
that I had considered the possibility the evening might bring romance. My Journelle
ensemble was concealed for the moment, but it wouldn’t be long before he
discovered my subliminal invitation to his seduction. I had been ambivalent about
whether getting involved with him would be a mistake, but after gaining insight
into the many facets of the infamous Sergio Ramirez, I couldn’t resist him.

He
slipped my dress off my shoulders, allowing it to fall to the floor, revealing
the Journelle. His breath hitched. He whistled softly, an appreciative whistle.
Taking a step back to savor the view, he held my hand to steady me as I stepped
out of the circle of fabric. My heart pounded.

“You
are full of surprises,” he murmured, the firelight dancing over his gleaming
smile. My adrenaline was at fever pitch. Our lips met again as his hands glided
up my sides, caressing my swollen breasts over the lacy edge of my bra. I desperately
wanted to feel his warm skin against mine. I unbuttoned his shirt to expose his
smooth, tight chest. He unclasped my bra, and pulled me close as it fell to the
floor. The heat from his skin scorched my tender nipples. It felt so good.

He
stopped abruptly, and put his hands on my shoulders, holding me at arm’s
length. “Are you okay with this, Bridget? I don’t want you to feel forced in
any way,” he said, almost breathless.

“Oh,
Sergio, I can’t imagine being anywhere else,” I cooed, reaching for him.

“I
was afraid I was getting carried away by my appetite for you,” he whispered,
nipping at my ear.

“I
have the same hunger for you. Please don’t stop….” I breathed, totally losing
myself in the sensations of his toned body pressed against me.

His
perfect smile beamed. He grabbed my ass, pulling me against him a little
tighter. I could feel his desire growing with each kiss as he pressed his
hardness against my hip. He gently freed me from the last of the lingerie, his
silky fingertips skating down my thighs. The tingle of his touch sent a shiver
up my legs, straight to my pudenda. I felt weak in the knees.

I
needed to feel him against me, skin to skin. He let out a soft moan as I
unbuttoned his jeans and unzipped his fly. It was my turn to be surprised. His
impressive shaft escaped into my grasp without restraint from underwear. It was
so hot and hard. I stroked his length and circled his crown with my fingertips.
He let out a deep, sensual groan as his head tilted back. I tugged on his
jeans, undressing him so we were both naked. I crawled up on the bed and reached
out for him. He stood at the end of the bed, gazing at me. “You’re like an
angel in the firelight…so beautiful,” he said softly.

He
climbed up next to me and ran his fingertip up my torso, and circled each
nipple. I moaned unconsciously as he took a nipple gently between his teeth. His
bite was almost as much pain as it was pleasure, sending shock waves into every
corner of my being.