She tried to deter him, make him understand he didn't have to. But he was adamant to celebrate her birthday.

A perfect stranger.

She should be running out of the door. Her brain was screaming for her to just leave, but her treacherous body wouldn't let her.

Instead she took his offered hand into hers and let him lead her to a circular booth where their foods and a cart of deserts with various fruits were already waiting for them.

It was too much.

She should say something.

But she dared not.

She wasn't afraid or anything of the sorts, but she couldn't understand how he was making her feel, and that terrified her.

She couldn't understand why a man like him would want to hang out let alone celebrate her birthday with her. But he wouldn't let up.

She had the strange feeling, this man usually got what he wanted.

The aroma of the delicious foods in front of her had her salivating, and her belly making all kinds of unladylike sounds reminding her how she forgot to eat lunch and dinner today.

He chuckled a bit. "I am glad I insisted on the food."

"Sorry...I...um...forgot that I had skipped lunch and dinner today."

He frowned a bit. "May I ask why?"

At such close proximity it was getting harder and harder for her to concentrate.

His cologne invaded her nostrils, and she had to fight the urge to bury her face in his neck to inhale his scent deeper.

Jesus.

She was very aware of his muscles dancing under his shirt, or his knees and strong thigh brushing again hers. Unavoidable, she thought, given how they both had long legs.

She fell victim to her mind's vivid imagination suddenly drowning her with images of those thighs trapping her beneath him while he fucks her to oblivion.

He wasn't that close to her but close enough for her to feel the heat radiating from him.

She needed some air and quickly.

"Ms Natalia?"

"Oh...um...A bit busy at work today" she cursed herself on how weak her voice came out.

Henri smirked enjoying the effect he had on her.

In all those nights he'd observed her, not once has she ever behaved this way. She would come in get what she needed and leave. From his perspective, she was always the one in charge.

That wouldn't do with him. Needless to say he was thrilled to notice the sub part of her which she was unknowingly and so naturally displaying.

She kept her gaze down and bit her lower lip. He could suddenly feel the strain against his zipper.

Down boy.

Although she obviously had several partners, something about her made him believe he had to thread cautiously if he wanted to her to open up, trust him and accept the offer he had in mind.

"And what do you do Ms Natalia?", he asked taking a bite out of his steak.

"I am a real estate broker. Started my own firm not too long ago, so it's easy to get lost in the pile of paperwork sometimes."

He shook his head in understanding.

"May I have your card? You never know, I might need your expertise soon." His eyes transfixed on her, waiting for her response.

She reached into her purse and handed him the card finally looking up at him. Their fingertips touching giving her goosebumps all over.

She quickly diverted her eyes to her plate of food, but she could still feel his gaze on her like a predator stalking his prey.

She came in tonight wanting to just find someone to help dull that never-ending ache she felt between her legs.

After a long dreary day, she wanted to feel good on her birthday even if it lasted for just a moment.

She wanted to feel...something...anything.

And there she was, sitting next to a man whom without doing anything much, was making her senses go into overdrive.

Frankly, she didn't quite know how to react from that.

He intrigued her.

"Don't hesitate to call or visit my office, the location is on the back of the card."

He flipped it over in between his fingers, read the address and flashed her a big smile displaying once again his delicious dimples.

Before tonight she didn't know she had a weakness for dimples.

'Focus on your food.

Just eat, thank him then leave.' She kept repeating to herself denying the throbbing ache in her core.

"So, what do you do Henri... May I call you Henri."

"Of course ma belle." he answered without hesitation knowing soon enough he will have her call him something else.

"Besides other businesses I own, this place is mine."

He wasn't going to tell her yet about what else he did not wanting to scare her away.

She was visibly shocked but played it off well.

"You have a wonderful place here. Congratulations."

His eyes lit up with pride. He scooted up closer to her and her heart automatically sped up when their shoulders brushed and when she realized their thighs were now almost glued to each other. She was in the corner of the booth, and unless she moved completely away to sit across from him she had nowhere to go.

And to be honest, she didn't want to go anywhere.

He tilted his head down closer to her ear and asked "Do you really like it here?" as if to give her the chance to tell him what she really thought of the club without the worry of having someone else overhearing.

Even if they were still very much alone up here on the VIP section.

She chuckled a bit and that was music to his ears.

"Yes I do, I come here often."

"I know Ms. Natalia... I've seen you before."

"YOU HAVE!"

Henri quietly laughed a bit unable to resist how cute she looked right now, with her eyes bulging out in shock and her lips slightly parted.

Her full lips.

Feeling his gaze boring on her, she froze. Her eyes darted to his lips. Both gave in to the unmistakable pull that was between them.

Their lips came merely inches from each other. Her lemony minty breath caressing his lips. He could almost taste her.

She started closing her eyes in anticipation, squeeze her thighs together to stay in control, but just as she felt his lips ever so lightly grazing hers...

"🎶HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.... 🎶

Henri let out a frustrated growl hating that they were interrupted at that crucial time, but swiftly forgot that feeling when he looked over to her looking at Carlos, with the brightest smile on her face and eyes brimmed with tears.

How can such a small act bring such a strong reaction from her?

She looked over to him, and one tear fell on her cheek when Carlos finished singing and place the small carrot cake with the one lit candle in front of her, urging her to make a wish.

He wiped off the tear with his thumb and kissed her cheek just to whisper to her in a husky filled with need tone.

"Happy birthday Ms. Natalia, make a wish."

She felt stupid crying.

It was just a cake.

She's eaten plenty of cakes. Her big butt was proof of that every day.

But her heart swelled when she saw the short stocky young guy coming up with it while singing.

She searched her memory, and couldn't remember a time where she was given a cake and being sang to. Even if she'd never see him again, she would forever appreciate this gesture more than he'll ever know.

She felt a slight twinge on her chest at the thought of never seeing him again.

She winced but ignored it and continued smiling while closing her eyes to make that wish and blew the candle.

Henri clapped softly next to her, grinning from ear to ear his gaze never leaving hers even when he dismissed and thanked Carlos.

"Thank you so much Henri, I don't know why you did all this but I'm really grateful and had a wonderful time."

He didn't like where that was heading. She was carving a path to say goodbye.

It was now or never.

"It was my absolute pleasure Ms Natalia." and that was the truth. It was the most fun he's had and the most relaxed he's felt for a long time just sitting here talking with her.

"Celebration doesn't have to end yet ma belle."

She stiffens next to him and swallowed thickly.

Her body was almost shaking with need and desperate for release. But she couldn't help but feel down thinking about treating Henri as one of her one night stands.

She didn't know why, but she understood that she couldn't.

She was nervous, and Henri could tell.

Shit... He was to. He had to have her.

He draped an arm behind her, holding her waist. She flinched but didn't move away.

That's a good sign he thought smiling.

"What if I make you a proposal Ms. Natalia, one with various rules and ways of conduct...would you be willing to hear me out?"

His voice was so calm and soothing, and those little circles his thumb was drawing on her side wasn't helping her resolve.

He smiles, tightens his hold on her a bit more sensing her inner battle.

She exhaled and relaxed onto him." I'm listening." she managed to croak out with her throat suddenly feeling parched.

"Good girl."