He hated to admit it, but Conrad was quite pleased with himself. He hadn't actually had a plan when he forced Victoria into going to dinner with him. It was a Hail Mary, a last ditch effort to keep her close. And yet he had pulled off something that far surpassed his expectations.
It wasn't cheap, but a few bribes and he had secured the perfect spot. He almost felt sorry for Victoria. He could already imagine the look of panic that would flash in her eyes when she figured it out. He would have felt sorry for her if he didn't want her so bad.
He heard the sound of her heels on the marble floor and turned to find her at the base of the stairs. She wore an emerald dress with a gold belt that matched her gold necklace. Long dark curls cascaded down her shoulders. He wondered if she had left her hair curly because he preferred it or because she didn't care to put in the effort to straighten it for him. He wanted to ask, but he knew the answer she'd give him whether it was true or not.
"Victoria, you look breathtaking. Although, it may go unnoticed..."
"If a business matter popped up, I completely understand." She offered, turning her heels. He grabbed her arm, stopping her.
"Nothing could keep me from this." He said. Something about the way he said it made Victoria nervous.
They arrived at the back entrance of a building. Victoria was uneasy about going into an unknown building. Conrad's behavior didn't help either. So when he grabbed her hand she pushed it away.
"I agreed to dinner. Not public displays of affection."
"You'll regret it." He warned. He let her go first, gently pushing her forward with his hands on her back. As expected, when she got inside the door she dug her heels into the carpet, trying desperately not to go any further.
"It's pitch black in there!" She shrieked.
"My dear, the restaurant is pitch black. That's part of the appeal."
"While I enjoy not having to look at you, I am NOT eating in the dark."
"A deal is a deal," he said as he grabbed her wrist. The host shut the door, leaving them in complete darkness. Victoria had no choice but to follow Conrad. He was thankful that she wasn't claustrophobic although after tonight she might be.
Victoria sat quietly at the table. To say that she was miserable was an understatement. For a restaurant, she certainly didn't hear any other diners.
"Are we alone?" She whispered.
"Yes. I booked the entire room." Conrad said proudly. Even with the carpeting, he could hear Victoria's heels stepping away. And even if he hadn't, he could hear her trying miserably not to bump into things.
"Where are you going?" He asked, following her.
Victoria couldn't explain why she felt so terrified of Conrad suddenly. She knew he was trying to spend time with her but she was so far out of her comfort zone that she was in flight or fight mode. In an attempt to hide she crawled under a table, although she knew that it wouldn't get her away from the building or from Conrad.
Frustrated, Conrad pulled his phone out and found Victoria quickly. He had expected her to be panicked and uncomfortable but she looked terrified. He crawled down under the table next to her.
"Victoria, no one is trying to hurt you."
"I don't like this. I want to leave."
"Give it a chance. It's quiet. It's private. You don't like when people gawk while we're out in public."
"I don't like being out with you in public." She corrected, immediately regretting being so mean to him.
"Then this is perfect. No one knows." He offered his hand, surprised when she actually took it. Instead of leading her to the table, he took her in an embrace. He knew that the idea of giving up control was terrifying for her, even if it was something small like dinner.
"I'll make you a deal. We can either leave and do three dinners-"
"Three dinners? That's the rest of the week. You're being absurd, Conrad."
"- Or... One dinner but you have to spend the night with me."
"Oh, that is rich..."
"Does that mean you agree to three dinners?"
"One dinner. And I will spend the night but that doesn't mean I have to have sex with you." She said sternly.
"You never have to. But if you want to-"
"I won't. Now can we please leave?" She asked.
He started to walk her out, but stopped, pressing her against the wall.
"A kiss." He demanded.
" Conrad-"
"To seal our deal."
"Our agreement that I don't have to sleep with you? I'll kiss to that!" She joked. But when his lips hit hers, it was no laughing matter. Their tongues soon found one another, dancing in a familiar rhythm. Conrad ran his hands up her leg, surprised at how she pushed her hips towards him, making it easier for him to slide his fingers under her panties.
"Not here," she panted, but didn't bother to break away from him.
"This is the best place," Conrad growled. He quickly unzipped his pants and pushed her panties to the side as Conrad pushed himself inside her. The excitement of it kicked in and it didn't take long for them to hit their peaks. Conrad zipped himself back up but didn't leave Victoria's side. Instead, he held her close, running her hands through her hair as she struggled to catch her breath. He was thankful for the dark, because she couldn't see his smile when he realized that she still promised him a full night together.