The Royal Contract

Unfortunately for her, he already had a date for the night. He doubted he would choose her over the girl already waiting for him at their table.

He checked his watch on his wrist, knowing he had arrived five minutes advanced, but this girl seemed to be much earlier than him.

“Thanks.” He awarded the hostess with his sweet smile. It was the least he could do for the slight entertainment she provided.

Then, his eyes focused on the girl, who did not even bother to look up from her position to acknowledge his arrival. She seemed too preoccupied with whatever she was doing with her phone.

“Hi, Amelia. I hope I did not keep you waiting for too long.” Evan moved closer to his date and offered his hand.

Finally, she looked and smiled, but her hands did not let go of her phone. “Please sit down.” She gestured for him to take the seat opposite her. “I don’t think you are late. I am just early.”

.....

He noticed that this area had four chairs around a larger table, but theirs only had two and were situated on opposite ends, while the ones in the secluded part of the area had two chairs with a smaller table.

He could only assume that this setup was her doing. Anyway, he appreciated the bold move. But he doubted that would stop him from his plans.

“Ok.” He finally responded, shaking his head at the woman who had made him think if she was worth all of the effort. But he had never backed out of a challenge before. And she was presenting him with a big one.

He took the seat, but instead of sitting on it right away, he lifted it and positioned it beside her. Not too close, but just enough for her to feel his overwhelming presence.

“What are you doing?” Amelia asked, suddenly alarmed by his action. She quickly shifted her position to look at him.

Finally, he got her attention as he made himself comfortable in his seat with a slight smirk on his face. “I am about to order,” Evan said as he called the attention of the uniformed server, waiting on the side of the room.

He could feel her fuming at her side, but he ignored her, knowing she could do nothing but sit and tolerate his presence. After all, she was the one who called him to set this dinner.

He doubted that she was the type who would walk out on him. Their culture would prevent her from acting impolite. In this case, she was the hostess, and he was the guest.

“Just give me the best wine in your cellar.” He told the man when he started to name their wine list. “What will you have?” Evan finally faced his date again, waiting for her order.

“I already ordered mine,” Amelia told him as she returned her eyes to the screen of her phone.

“Good then,” Evan could feel that what she was doing was intentional to drive him away.

But she did not realize that the more she pushed him away, the more he was determined to change her mind about him. He ordered his meal separately and waited for the wine to arrive while watching her sip on her glass of red.

But he could not help but stare as the red liquid touched her lips. It was like he was mesmerized. Then, his eyes watched as she swallowed them, looking at how her delicate nerves moved along her neck. Down to her, but before he could go further.

“What are you doing?” A slightly angry voice snapped him out of his perv thoughts. Admittedly, he was lusting after her. He was a warm-blooded male who needed a female company.

Honestly, he was attracted to her when his eyes first landed on that face. Seeing her sleeping in his grandmother’s hospital room sent a message to his brain that he wanted to meet her. Sleep with her, his mind insisted.

“I was looking at the view.” Luckily, there was a nice view behind her, outside the window.

He pointed to the ferry boat mooring on the docks and then the beautiful view of the trickling lights on the lake’s surface. “Isn’t it lovely? Maybe we can go boating sometimes. I know a few places with a wonderful spot for a picnic.”

He knew it was not what was originally in his mind, but coming up with that lie seemed appropriate if this night would not work out. A follow-up date should do the trick.

“I bet.” Her voice did not sound convinced, but her not walking out of this date at this very moment only confirmed his assumption.

Even though she claimed that she had not lived in this place for a long time, her personality still held the culture of this place. She was still conservative in some ways, which explained her attitude.

Now, he knew he had to work harder to win her over. His looks and charms would not be enough to make her sleep with him. He might have to turn his effort a notch higher.

“Anyway, what brought you back home?” Evan supposed a mere seduction would not work on her. He had to come up with a better plan. “I think you already guess why I am here, although this had not been my home for many years.”

Talking was the only thing he could do for now to win her trust. Hopefully, they could start from there. He finally admitted that she was not the usual woman who fell on their knees in front of him, but he was not yet ready to surrender.

He still believed he could make her change her mind. Besides, he planned to stay for a week. What else was he to do at that time? She was perfect for the time being, a distraction from boredom.