Chapter 4

GRACE

My head was still spinning from that kiss with Haven. Why had he kissed me? Was it because he sensed my sadness when my friends dismissed him as a mere dream?

If that was the case, I was grateful. It proved that he wanted me as much in reality as he did in my dreams. He was even more attractive in person, but there was a coldness about him. Why?

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“To a restaurant. You must be hungry, and it’s your birthday.” He flashed a grin. “Don’t worry, you’ll be home early.”

~Oh? Why did I feel...let down? He wasn’t taking me to his place but...~

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I shouldn’t feel this way. Why was my heart aching? I didn’t want to say goodbye now that he was here. I had dreamed of him so many times.

I was just... I was being foolish and confused. I shouldn’t be thinking like this. Haven looked like he was in his thirties and had a serious job. I was just a kid.

We walked into a small, intimate restaurant. There weren’t many tables, and they were spaced out so other diners couldn’t see you. The ambiance was cozy, with low lights and dark furniture creating a sense of privacy.

I blushed at the thought of being alone with Haven at a table. Would he kiss me again? I hoped so.

“Table for two, my lord?” the waiter asked at the door.

“Yes, Fred. Thank you,” Haven replied.

The waiter nodded, and we followed him into the restaurant. The dim lights made it hard to see other people’s faces, but I could make out the tables to avoid bumping into one.

Haven placed his hand at the small of my back to guide me, and I blushed even more. His hand was cool, which was a relief considering how hot my face felt.

We stopped at a table, and Haven let me sit first before taking a seat next to me. We were on dark leather couches, in a sort of booth that shielded us from view.

What was this place? I had lived in the city my whole life but had never heard of this restaurant. It looked fancy, the kind of place people would talk about.

“Are you nervous?” Haven asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“Yes. I’ve...never been to a place like this,” I replied, looking into his green eyes.

“Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you,” he said softly.

“I know.” I smiled at him. And I did know. Deep down, I knew I could trust this man.

He smiled back and kissed my knuckles, clearly pleased with my response.

“So you’re real,” I said, trying to hide my embarrassment.

“I am.” He chuckled. “Why do you say that?”

It was embarrassing to admit to this handsome man that I had dreamed about him, that I had romantic dreams about him. I thought he was a figment of my imagination, a creation of my lonely, love-starved mind. Did that mean we had met before and he had somehow lodged himself in my dreams? I would remember a face like his. What was happening here?

“I…,” I stammered.

He gently lifted my chin with his cool fingers, forcing me to look at him. His eyes were captivating, filled with confidence and determination. He wouldn’t back down until I told him what he wanted to hear.

“Tell me, princess,” he said softly, his deep voice firm.

“I...I dreamed of you, so I thought...,” I finally confessed, looking away.

“You thought I wasn’t real,” he finished. “What happened in these dreams?”

I could see a hint of playfulness in his eyes. Did he already know but wanted me to say it out loud? That was mean. But then, how could he know? This whole situation was strange, but I wanted to understand more so I could play along.

“Usually...kissing and you frustrating me.” I smirked.

“I frustrate you, sweetheart?” He grinned. “What can I do to fix that?”

“Maybe...you could finally give in.” I tried to smile seductively, even though my heart was pounding with nervousness. I had never been so bold with a man before, but with Haven, I felt confident. It was as if I had known him my whole life.

“I would love nothing more,” he said, his voice husky and his eyes slowly turning red.

Seeing his eyes change color in person was even more mesmerizing. What caused his eyes to do that? It made no sense and I should have been scared, but I was too captivated by this man.

The waiter returned before I could ask my question, and I ordered a pasta dish. I noticed that Haven only ordered wine, which made me wonder why he had brought me here if he wasn’t hungry.

“You’re not hungry?” I asked when the waiter left.

“I am, but not for food.” He smirked.

I blushed deeply at his words. Was that all I was to him? A snack?

“What am I to you?” I asked, frowning.

He seemed taken aback by my question, but then a warm smile spread across his face. He pulled me into his chest and kissed my forehead.

I snuggled into his chest, burying my face in the crook of his neck. I could smell his cologne and his natural scent, and it was so comforting that I wished I could stay like this forever.

“All in due time, little one, but...know that you’re extremely precious to me.”

“Does that mean that...you want a relationship with me?” I asked, confused by his vague response.

“Was my kiss not enough to answer that question?” He chuckled. “Should I kiss you again?”

Before I could say yes, the waiter arrived with my food and a bottle of some thick, red liquid. It looked denser than wine, but I didn’t know much about alcohol. I wasn’t old enough to drink yet.

I took a bite of my pasta and moaned in pleasure. It was the best thing I had ever tasted. I was about to tell Haven how good it was when I noticed that his eyes were now completely red and glowing.

“I guess...it’s pretty good,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

“It is.” I grinned. “I’ve never tasted anything so delicious.”

“I’m glad.”

“Is something bothering you?” I asked, a knot of worry forming in my stomach.

He gently took my hand in his, giving it a comforting squeeze. His smile was there, but I could see the tension in his eyes. Had I done something wrong?

“It’s tough to keep myself in check when I hear you make those sounds, but...you’re safe with me. Always,” he assured me.

“What if I don’t want to be?” The words slipped out before I could stop them.

The question seemed to shock us both. Why had I said that? What was I thinking?

I had enough scars on my body to serve as reminders of what my parents had done. I barely knew Haven, even if I did feel safe with him. I was playing with fire, and I knew I was going to get burned if I kept this up.

“Not today, sweetheart,” he said, his smile warm and affectionate. “Today is about you, but I promise you that I’ll do everything you want later.”

“See? You frustrate me.” I pouted.

What was wrong with me? Why was I speaking to him like this? I wanted to hide under a rock and never come out. He didn’t seem like the type of man who would tolerate such behavior.

“I’m sorry.” He chuckled. “I’ll make it worth your while, baby girl.”

“Really?” I asked, a smile creeping onto my face.

“I promise.”

I went back to my meal, but I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. I believed him, but if he wasn’t going to sleep with me, then maybe I could ask more questions. I never got the chance to talk to him much in my dreams. They usually consisted of us just kissing and cuddling.

It was more than enough, but I wanted to know more about him. I was already intrigued by him.

“Why do your eyes change color?” I asked.

He met my gaze over his glass, and I could see him mulling over his response.

“I’ll tell you another time. I promise,” he said.

“You have a lot of secrets.” I sighed.

“I don’t want to hide anything from you, but...this isn’t the kind of information you share in a restaurant.”

What could be so secretive that he had to be so cryptic about it? I didn’t push him because I knew it wouldn’t get me anywhere.

I couldn’t guilt him into answering either. I had tried that in my dreams to get my way, but it never worked. His dominant nature made it pointless to try anything until he was ready to answer.

“Okay.” I sighed, feeling a bit deflated.

“Don’t look so down, princess,” he said. “I promise that I’ll answer all your questions another time.”

“I believe you. Can you at least tell me what you do?”

“Yes.” He smiled at me. “I’m the CEO of Silver, Inc.”

What? Silver, Inc. was the top company in the state. How did I know its CEO? Why was he even interested in me? It didn’t make any sense. None at all.