"Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."– Robert Frost

I listened to the giggling and chattering noises around me as I waited in silent here on a dinner table. Several noble individuals, such as an Earl and a Fürst, were all over in this one restaurant built in our town.

There were brilliant giant chandeliers, paintings and delectable cuisines which undoubtedly made this place so prominent. I sat with patience in this table I reserved as I waited the arrival of my fiancée. It had been one of my normal routines to always bring her to dinner once a week as part of my courtship for her but I would be lying if I said it was my utmost interest.

I laid my back indolently on the chair while I crossed my legs decently in front. I leaned my elbow on the armrest as my chin rested on my knuckles, simply looking languid but I hid it under my decency. That was my best traits I had, I was excellent at pretending. My pocket watch on the palm of my hand was ticking as time passed by. It had been a couple of minutes since I started waiting here and I could already feel my perseverance leaving my body.

Sometimes it made me wonder why women tend to be late all the time.

I looked around for a distraction to keep my patience in check and I found my ocean blue eyes settled on the bouquet of flowers on top of the dinner table. It was a corsage of yellow and lavender roses which I brought with me as a present for Amelia. Though I decided not to give her, her cherished red roses in purpose because the alluring shade of red reminded me of the temptation I had gone through a couple of days ago.

That was right, it had been a past few days since that night with the gorgeous man however I couldn't forget the burning passion and it was incensing.

Every time I saw a red color, I could see his beautiful face and it was haunting me in my dreams. Everything about him plagued both my mind and my body endlessly and it was infuriating me. I sighed, dispirited, since I didn't plan to go back reminiscing about it especially when I was here meeting my fiancée. The goddess soon awarded my patience when Amelia came through the glass entrance door, dressed in her charming debutante gown, with a man in suit following behind her.

I caught a glimpse of the man's face and I shuddered upon seeing that it was the gorgeous man. Why is he here?

My fiancée, Amelia, made her way towards me with Julian still following behind her and I hid a grimace. "It's pleasant to see you again, Dante," she greeted me with a loving smile and I stood up to take her hand before kissing it in response.

"It is certainly pleasant and you look beautiful just like the roses I have for you, my Lady." I complimented her genuinely while handing the bouquet of roses I brought with me. Her face brightened at the sole mention of roses but it faded the moment she realized it was not red like the ones I always gave her but she chose not to say anything since it'll be disrespectful to my part.

"I'm surprise to see Mr. Hartwell here with you. Perchance, is there something of occasion?" I questioned, skeptical, as I shifted my attention to the gorgeous man. Though it seemed a naught compare to the distraught in his eyes.

Did I say something wrong? Then I figured that it was probably because I gave Amelia a bouquet of roses. But wasn't it such an issue because she was my fiancée so it was only normal and proper of me to give her something which was worthy for our engagement.

I love you.

Julian's confession came back dwelling in my mind and I could feel my conscience stabbing me behind ruthlessly. Of course, he would be hurt because he loved me but nonetheless we're not even lovers so he should know best not to expect the same affection from me. I don't love him the same way and will never be. However, why do I feel like taking him into my arms and tell him how sorry I was in order to comfort him. He was affecting me again and I didn't like it, not one bit.

"Is something the matter, Dante? I'm sorry if I brought him with me since it was me who persuade him to come because I thought it would be nice to have him with us in our dinner and besides, my father would love it if he knew because we're planning to hire him to care for our stable," Amelia explained herself but it didn't persuaded me to tolerate his presence.

Although, in the end, I accepted the fact that he was here with us whether I like it or not and it will be harsh of me if I tell him to leave since it wasn't me who invited him in the first place.

***

"It never occurred to me that Mr. Hartwell know how to care a horse. I'm astonished," I tried to make a compliment to hide my discomfort while trying to sit contentedly in my seat since the gorgeous man's presence alone was enough to still make me uneasy to no end.

My fiancée turned to me with her eyes narrowed like she just heard something out of the normal. "You don't know? He told my father that he is fond of horses during the time you escorted us for the night," she replied just as she grabbed a hold of table d'hote to pick her choice of meal.

Was she somewhat referring to the talk of Sir Marcus and the gorgeous man about things I couldn't relate to? I cursed myself mentally after realizing the fault I did for not listening to other people's conversation. Now I looked like a fool in front of the gorgeous man. Then it dawned me that I had been naming him gorgeous again like the last time. I should stop doing it.

I made no response and just turned to grab a similar table d'hote before instantly picking my own a choice of meal as the waiter came to our table to take our orders.

"I'll have an Antipasto." I stated.

"Classic alla Carbonara," and my fiancée stated hers.

The waiter turned his attention to the gorgeous man and so did I. He looked uncertain as to what he would order since he had his thumb pressed on his lower lip as if trying not to bite it though it made him seductive and likewise I was tempted to kiss those delicious lips again. I groaned trying to hold back my annoying urge.

For some reason he looked tantalizing than before, like his body was emitting an essence which was enticing me and my inner desires.

People said that a woman looks more beautiful after she is held by a man. Does it apply same to men too? I didn't know but looking at him right now made me want to believe on that nonsense. He was so alluring and it took a lot of self-control to not restrain him to his seat and ravished him to my heart's content. The lust was getting into me again so I looked away.

"Ravioli alla Marinara," he stated his and the waiter nodded to us in silent before walking away.

"So how's your painting, Dante? Are you doing another female model this time?" Amelia asked calmly while trying not to sound jealous since she always didn't like it when there were other women near me especially when they model for me.

Well, I can't blame her suspicions since something already happened and what was more, it was something with a man.

Julian looked at me with unreadable emotion, making me uncomfortable in my seat. I supposed I should be careful on my words.

"No, I'm still searching," I simply made a convincing statement as to not rise doubt from her and it did because she thought that she would have a lot of time with me alone since I was not busy as of the moment and I let her believe that so she wouldn't insist on knowing more than I could say. In that way, she wouldn't know about what happened between me and Julian.

"How about you, Mr. Hartwell, how's your profession as a pianist?" my fiancée turned to ask the gorgeous man sitting across me.

"I'm perfecting a musical piece, a beautiful one that I plan to play for someone special to me," he replied with a sincere smile in his face and I felt my heart skipped a beat. Was he perhaps hinting that I was that special person?

"That's wonderful. Your woman is no doubt blessed to have such a romantic man like you. It is nice and lovely to have someone serenade you isn't it, Dante?" she now turned to me with light in her brown eyes, a kind of light that she wanted me to do just the same. Had she not know that I don't know how to play a piano? This woman can be quite selfish and she was not even aware of it because she thought it was natural to ask something romantic from the man as part of the courtship.

"I don't know how to play a piano," I reasoned but I failed to make her change her mind.

"Then you can ask Mr. Hartwell here to teach you how to play the piano. I will be absolutely happy if you could do it for me especially since my birthday is nearing soon, please?" She pleaded with her innocence radiating before me, although I didn't find it effective.

However, I found myself agreeing anyway since I knew my parents would be angry if they learned that I refused a wish from my fiancée. I grunted to myself, surely unable to do the opposite.

"Of course, I'll do it for you, my Lady." I surrendered despite the immense disinterest. Well, I have no choice in the matter.

"Perfect! I will be glad if Mr. Hartwell here will be your help since he's the best pianist I could think of. Would you do the pleasure of teaching him, Mr. Hartwell?" Amelia asked the gorgeous man with the same light in her eyes. Deep inside me, I prayed to all the gods that Julian will refused her even though I knew it would be useless to pray for it because he seemed the type to not refuse a lady and Amelia's solicit wasn't helping in the other hand.

"It will be my greatest pleasure," Julian tried his best not to sound anguish because he had promise not to bother me and Amelia was making do otherwise even though it was not her intention.

I felt a little bad for him because not only was he breaking our agreement but he was also asked to teach me to play the piano so I could play it for the woman engaged to me, in one way or another I knew he was in pain because of it.

Thankfully, the upsetting moment soon ended when the waiter came back with our meal. He placed down our meals in front of us and we gracefully made our proper table etiquette. I placed a neat napkin cloth on my lap before taking a table knife and fork in both my hands and immediately dug on my choice of food. We ate quietly throughout our meal as part of decent table manners.

However the rest of my attention was on the gorgeous man sitting across me.

I would watched intensely on every bite he took and how the tomato sauce would dripped past his tempting lips just before he could wipe it clean with a cloth. The way he brushed the soft cloth on his lips was all needed to make the lust surge hot in the depths of my soul. I kept on staring him with observant eyes and surprisingly I didn't find him boring like my fiancée beside me.

She was beautiful and stunning no doubt but it just that there was something in her I could no longer find intriguing and it was different when it came to the gorgeous man, he was enchanting and I was always enthralled when I learned new things about him.

When I turned to my pretty fiancée, I felt nothing new. She was a woman and I will have a future with her since she can give me children of my own flesh and blood. But that was all I could think about. Of course, I was fond of her however that was all I can feel, it was not love that I had for her rather it was a simple infatuation and nothing else.

Be it as it may, I had never been in love in my whole life.

***

After finishing our meal, we decided to spend the rest of our time leisurely in wine and small talks. A male sommelier came to our table with a tray of three bordeaux glasses and a bottle of champagne. He served each of us with it before filling them with a red wine. I grabbed the stem of my wine glass before bringing the rim under my nose so I could smell it. The aroma was indeed splendid but strange enough, it made me recall the scent of Julian's skin. I guessed I was truly addicted to him.

I dismissed my thoughts before taking a sip of the wine and savoring the appealing taste that slowly dissolved inside my mouth. Wine was truly my favorite drink.

However, I frowned straightaway upon seeing the color of the wine and it was a deep color of burgundy, another red and it caused me to recall again the one night affair I had with Julian, the passionate night if I may add.

"It tastes exquisite," Amelia praised the unique taste but it didn't lifted up my mood. Not until I felt someone grabbed my hand, "Are you alright?" I heard her asked.

"No, I am fine, no need to worry, my Lady." I replied with a forceful smile, nonetheless what happened soon after was not within my expectation. She leaned forward and gave me a kiss on the lips much to my surprise.

Truthfully, I wanted to tell her it was indecent to show affection in public and that was what annoyed me although half of me was annoyed because she kissed me in front of Julian since I was aware of his love for me.

Wait, was I worried that I might hurt his feelings?

Crash.

I jolted upon hearing a sound of glass breaking on the solid floor. Both Amelia and I aimed our attention to the gorgeous man and there I saw him with the front of his vent suit now dyed with burgundy liquid. "I'm sorry," he murmured as he stood up from his seat with his eyes on the floor as if he was trying not to look at me. But I knew Julian was hurt when he Amelia kissed me and part of me felt guilty for letting him see such a scene.

"I'll excuse myself," he added while walking the direction to the comfort room.

"I wonder if he's alright," Amelia said, concerned of him, while still holding onto my hand but I gently pushed them away as I stood up, "I'll see to it if he's okay."

The waiter was already cleaning the broken glass when I passed by him, I continued my way to the single person comfort room and once I reached the door of the men's comfort room, I intake a deep breath. Why in the god's name was I even nervous? It was not like I'll do something uncouth with him in such a place like this hence I shrugged my thoughts. However, I promptly doubted myself upon entering the room and seeing him undressing his suit.

His suit jacket was already discarded and he had his shirt buttons undone halfway so his toned chest wasn't bared much but bared enough that I can see his nipples and my lust was beginning to creep under my flesh because of it.

I looked away as soon as possible before my desire get into me again like what it did to me on that night. On the other hand, he was stunned to see me standing before him. "I'm sorry for intruding. I just wanted to see if you're unwell," I justified myself while looking blankly on the comfort room wall on my side.

"No, I'm fine. It just that the fabric of my shirt absorbed most of the wine so I have no choice but to remove it to wash it away," Julian replied and I believed him since the fabric of his suit looked like it was not even stain-proof.

"You can take your time," I gestured him to continue while securing the lock on the door behind me.

I had no idea why I locked the door, no I knew why and I was just denying it. The mere thought of another man having the pleasure of seeing him shirtless with his erotic skin in plain sight was kind of enraging me. I was feeling possessive for unknown reason.

He spun around with his back now facing me before he resumed on unfastening the rest of his shirt buttons. He disrobed himself with it and I could see the fine muscle of his back, the sight of it brought me the memory of my hands drawing circles on the surface of his skin, making me want to do it again.

Good god, I wanted to feel his hot skin on mine again.

Julian went to face the washstand beside him and turned to moist the stained spot of his shirt using water on the ceramic basin. The deafening silence remained just the same until he decided to break it, "Forgive me." he spoke his thoughts first.

"About what?" I asked in return.

"Forgive me for breaking my promise. I assured you that I won't bother you but here I am, having a dinner with you and your fiancée, more so I am chosen to give you a piano lesson when I could have refuse her if I really wanted to, but I didn't," he whispered as he continued rinsing the stain clean.

There I was captivated by his tender heart. Why? Because he was rejected by a heartless man but in spite of that he still had the instinctive to understand me and be sorry when in truth, it was me who should be asking forgiveness to him however he did it nevertheless, and he chose to carry the mistake he didn't even committed in purpose just so he wouldn't disappoint me. He was hurting himself in my behalf.

How he remained so kind despite the continuous heartache was beyond me so I did what I could only thought was best.

"I accept your apology," I said with a smile. I decided not to argue with him about it since I felt like succumbing to his kindness, his kindness that no doubt was making my heart swell. Julian looked at me with wide silver eyes because he probably thought I would be mad at him but frankly, I didn't have the audacity to be mad at a kind person like him.

"Thank you," he replied back with a smile that could imprison my whole soul in an instant and I felt my heart skipped a beat again.

But, fortunate as it may be, I felt the temptation overwhelmed me again, the same temptation from painting him before. His lips so delicious that I was dying to capture them in mine again so I didn't held back this time and in a blink of an eye, our lips were connected to each other once more.

I tangled my fingers on his soft blonde hair while my free hand wandered on his alluring nude back. My body pushed him against the wall and he leaned against the solid surface for support. His breath escaped past my lips as I breached my hungry tongue inside his mouth before exploring everything in it. He battled with my tongue but failed to win against mine, moaning for his loss.

I pushed him further to the wall as I grinded both our growing hardness together and he raised his left hip on my thigh to give me room to grind into him more, he was moaning for much more.

Shivers ran down on my spine as I heard the rich moans I wanted to hear again for the past few days, the moans that always brought me high and ecstatic. We stopped for a second to inhale our breaths before resuming on our kiss that would always leave us insatiable and begging for more. My other hand trailed its way on his chest and soon pressed on one of his tender nipples.

He tried to hold back a loud moan since someone might hear us because after all this was still public place even though we were locked in a room, but nevertheless it was still not an appropriate place to continue further on.

I let go of his delicious lips before caressing it with my thumb.

It was settled, whether I like it or not, I wanted him or to be specific I needed him even though I didn't harbor the same feelings of love. My body, my mind, my soul and everything I was, was in need of him. This temptation, this lust and this desire was my saneness and only this man can held it stable for me. He was a big part of my life now and that little mistake was just the beginning.