Chapter Six

Sofia rode in Judy's car to the restaurant and smiled as they parked. "I haven't been here in ages. I almost forgot about this place."

Judy nodded and replied, "My brother always comes here and can't speak highly enough about the food and service."

They walked inside and were seated at a huge table and handed menus.

"I'm starving," said John in a happy voice. "I can't wait to eat."

"I'm starving too," added Tammy. "What's everyone in the mood for?"

Sofia looked at the menu for a few moments and blurted, "Penne Arrabiata."

"I'm gonna have the porter house," laughed David as he rubbed his hands together with glee.

Judy looked at John and asked, "What are your plans for Thanksgiving?"

"Going to spend the day at home. I'm exhausted and just want to vegetate."

"What about you Sofia," asked David in a curious voice.

Sofia looked solemn, lowered the menu and replied, "I think I'll go visit my yia-yia and pappous. I haven't seen them in a while and it will make them happy if I visit."

"That's so sweet," cooed Tammy.

"Jared!" exclaimed Judy as she waved her hand frantically. "Over here."

"Hey Judy," hummed her brother while inwardly praying Sofia wouldn't react. "I didn't expect to see you here."

Sofia slowly put her menu down and felt her stomach tighten. Her heart beat rapidly in her chest as her eyes met those of Lucian. Her cheeks reddened knowing all eyes were on her so she mustered up the strength to smile and say, "Hi Jared. Hi Lucian," in a curt voice.

"Why don't you join us," offered John feeling the tension in the air. "There's plenty of room and we haven't ordered yet."

Sofia felt her heart beat a little faster and needed a distraction from the very handsome man standing there staring at her. She was about to take a bite of the piece of bread she was buttering just before John spoke.

Lucian lifted a chair from another table and placed it alongside Sofia. As he sat down, he leaned in and brushed her lips with a kiss and whispered, "I've missed you."

Sofia did her best to keep her emotions in check as a piece of her shattered heart started to mend. Knowing all eyes were on her, she looked at Lucian and asked in a puzzled voice, "What brings you here? I mean you have your own amazing place."

Jared interjected before Lucian blew his cover and said, "I asked him to join me. I wanted him to see some of the choices on the menu and consider some for his place."

Lucian let out the breath he was holding; relieved Jared intervened and actually saved the moment.

"Oh," added Tammy with excitement. "What a great idea."

Lucian moved his chair even closer to Sofia and wrapped his arm around her. "I've been worried about you. You haven't answered any of my calls or text messages."

Sofia shifted in her seat and crossed her legs. The nearness of Lucian had her heart beating so fast she was afraid the entire table could hear it. Her chest heaved as she pulled on inner strength to fight the warm feeling inside her, every time he touched her. She turned to face him and whispered, "How are you doing? Are you all right?"

The moment his brown eyes stared into her gorgeous blue orbs Lucian came undone. He watched her speak and loved the way her dimples played peek-a-boo with each word she spoke,  all he wanted to do was carry her out of there and take her home.

Judy glanced over at her best friend for a moment and turned to everyone else being sure to keep some sort of conversation going. Sofia needed this moment, they both did.

Lucian shifted in his seat and placed his hands on either side of Sofia's face and replied, "I need you. You have no clue how sorry I am. I can't help myself when it comes to you. Please forgive me and give us a chance."

Before Sofia could respond, Lucian ran his thumb over her bottom lip sending a chill down her spine. His heart ached for her and without wasting another second, he slowly brought his mouth to hers searing her with a panty melting kiss.

Sofia stayed right where she was, she didn't move. Another piece of her heart went back in place. The sound of friends placing their orders brought her back to the present causing her to attempt to move.

"We're being rude," whispered Sofia in a disappointed voice. Deep inside her heart she didn't want that moment to end and with the looks of things, neither did Lucian.

**

When dinner was over, Sofia excused herself to the ladies room. Once inside, she let out a long sigh and did her best to hold it together. The door opened just as she walked into a stall.

"Sofia," called Judy.

"I'll be right out."

"Are you all right?"

"I think so."

"I had no idea my brother would be here tonight."

"Don't even worry about it. How could you have known?"

Feeling a little guilty, Judy continued, "It looks like you and Lucian made some headway. That's good."

Sofia finished up and put her lip-gloss away and walked towards the table. Ever the gentleman, Lucian stood up and helped her sit back down. She managed to catch the tale end of a conversation and gathered that everyone at the table was discussing going back to The Saloon.

**

Lucian walked Sofia to Judy's car, opened the door, helped her in, and buckled her into the seatbelt. So badly he wanted to kiss her but didn't want to push her. Slow and steady wins the race. With a wink, he said, "I'll see you in a few."

She watched him walk away and leaned her head against the cold headrest and groaned, "What have I gotten myself into?"

Judy started the car and looked at Sofia with a hint of envy and sighed, "Sof, if I had a man that looked at me the way Lucian looks at you, I'd never let it go. I'd do everything in my power to keep that fire burning."

**

Lucian sensed Sofia's presence the second she walked in. The air around him always seemed to change whenever she was near. He stood there watching the way she moved as her sexy body caused his lower region to twitch. The moment she joined her friends, Lucian relaxed and made his way over to her.

He ran his fingers through his thick, dark, hair and looked at her with furrowed brows, leaned against the bar and started a conversation long overdue. "Why do you avoid me when you know I'm the only man for you?"

Rather than respond, she looked at him, pulled him by his collar against her body, and kissed him fiercely. The moment the kiss ended she unclasped her hands, took a step back, and watched for his reaction.

Lucian's mind and body were in overdrive. He was actually grateful Sofia ended the kiss or things would have escalated. After what seemed a lifetime, he caught his breath. "Christ Sofia, are you trying to kill me?" He needed to feel her lips and body against his again, and pulled her into him holding her tight and kissed her the same way, with unbridled passion. "Tonight we leave together as husband and wife. I'm done playing Sofia. You're mine."

Heat rose from the center of her being to the top of her head. Her insides craved him more than she knew. She looked at her naked ring finger for a moment then back at him and asked, "What about the divorce papers? A motion has already been filed."

Lucian pulled Sofia into his arms and pressed his lips against her and stated, "I will not sign them. Ever. So just stop."

"Lucian, you never bothered to ask me."

"I didn't ask because no is not an option. When will you remember that? You'd think by now you would be used to that."

"You're impossible Lucian."

"I love you Sofia, I'd do anything for you and plan on making you smile all the time so I can see those adorable dimple of yours."

The words Lucian just spoke shook Sofia to the core. Her insides melted from his sincerity. She moved into his arms, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him the way a woman in love kisses her man.

A throat cleared behind them pulling each of them out of their passionate kiss.

"Boss," called Rory in a shaky voice. "I'm so sorry to interrupt you, but someone wants to book a party for tomorrow night."

Lucian took a moment to clear his mind and asked, "Where are they?"

"In your office."

Sofia watched Rory walk away and said, "I have to use the ladies room anyway. I'll catch up with you when you're finished."

"Perfect." He kissed her lips and whispered; "Don't let me catch you with any other males. I'll be in my office if anyone bothers you." He took two steps, turned back around and pulled her into him, and kissed her again. "Everything about you makes me lose all my senses. Behave yourself."

She watched him disappear into his office and made her way to the ladies room. As she stood in front of the mirror fixing her hair, a 40ish year old, redheaded woman walked up to Sofia and cackled, "Lucian wants to talk to you. He's in his office waiting."

Something about this woman seemed familiar. Not bothering to respond or give her any thought, Sofia walked straight to Lucian's office, opened the door, and stopped in her tracks. Lucian was with another woman and fits of passion could be heard bouncing off all four walls.

Her heart shattered, her knees weakened, and her resolve was ready to break. She took a breath and pulled from within and spoke in a voice she didn't recognize, "Never, ever talk to me, or look my way again. You're a piece of shit player. Prepare yourself old man because I'm going to be doing all the things you've prevented me from doing through the years. You're worst nightmare is about to come true. Oh and sign the damn papers. Peace out mother ..." Sofia walked to the door and took a few cleansing breaths, and casually made her way towards her friends. She refused to let this ruin her night.

A few seconds after she left Lucian's office, she saw him nervously looking around and knew he was searching for her. Not wanting any part of that, she quickly walked in the opposite direction, blended in with a group of people leaving, and made her escape.

**