Page 85 of Surrendering to the Obsession

Mia halted, her heart warming—and then tightening at the same time. She hesitated, looking around the silent, echoing space.

“Mr. Graves,” she said softly, her voice hesitant, almost apologetic. “I don’t like it when a place is this empty. It makes me feel unsettled. I like it when there are people… noises… conversations. It feels warm, relaxing. This… feels too quiet.”

Alexander blinked, surprise flickering across his eyes. “You don’t want it to be private?”

Mia shook her head, pressing closer to him. “No. I want people around. When it’s empty like this… it just doesn’t feel right.”

Alexander’s hand slid around her waist, pulling her closer until her body molded against his. “Alright. We’ll do what makes you happy.”

He lifted his head and gave a subtle signal. Almost instantly, a waiter appeared. “Yes, Mr. Graves?”

Alexander’s gaze flicked to Mia, then back to the waiter. “Open the restaurant. Let anyone who wants to come in for dinner enter freely. I’ll cover their meals as well.”

The waiter’s eyes widened in surprise, but he nodded. “Right away, sir.”

Alexander then lowered his gaze to hers. “Are you happy now?”

Mia smiled and nodded. “Yes.”

“Where do you want to sit?” he asked.

Mia’s finger pointed to the table near the window, her eyes sparkling. “I want to sit there. Look, just two chairs… won’t it be private, just for us?”

A slow smile curved Alexander’s lips. He slipped his hand around hers, his fingers brushing gently, and guided her to the table by the large glass wall in the corner.

They both sat down, and the restaurant, which had been completely empty moments ago, slowly came alive. People began to fill in, the soft buzz of conversation and clinking cutlery rising around them. It wasn’t as crowded as a regular night, but it no longer felt completely deserted.

Mia smiled, her eyes sparkling, unable to contain her happiness. Alexander’s gaze followed her every expression, warmth flickering in his eyes.

“Do you want anything else?” he asked gently.

Mia shook her head. “I’m good. Do you like the steak? I’m not sure if it’s to your taste.”

“It’s perfect.” Alexander’s gaze softened, and he reached across the table, taking her hand in his. He bent down and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her fingers. “My Mia has the best taste in the world.”

Mia’s cheeks flushed pink at the compliment. “Mr. Graves, you’re always praising everything I do.”

He shrugged casually, though his gaze never left hers. “Because everything you do is worth praising.”

Hearing his words, Mia’s chest fluttered uncontrollably. Unable to resist, she rose from her seat and leaned over the table. One hand rested on his shoulder, the other cupping his face, and she pressed a lingering, soft kiss to his cheek.

The kiss lingered, delicate and electric. As always, Alexander went perfectly still, frozen in place, as he always did when she kissed him unexpectedly. Whether it was on his lips or on hischeek, each kiss from Mia seemed to freeze him in place, as if she had gifted him something priceless. Mia always found it amusing and endearing—he had never grown used to her kisses, and every single one was special to him.

When she pulled back, Alexander’s fingers remained tightly clenched around his fork, knuckles stark white. He leaned forward slightly, his voice low, rough, almost a growl that vibrated through the quiet of the restaurant.

“Mrs. Graves,” he said, eyes dark and burning, “you are crossing every single one of my boundaries today. You asked me to come here instead of staying home, and now you’re making sure I won’t be sane by the time this dinner is over?”

Mia laughed softly, a teasing glint in her eyes. “After dinner, don’t we already have plans?” she asked, cutting her steak with a faint blush.

Alexander’s jaw tightened, the grip on his fork nearly crushing it. His legs shifted slightly under the table, adjusting to sit straighter, and yet he couldn’t hide the rising heat in his eyes. Mia stifled a laugh, biting the inside of her cheek. It was painfully obvious—he was dying to get out of here, to grab her and pull her away. Waiting for her to finish dinner was agony written across his face.

Meanwhile, in the corridor of the steakhouse, Gabriel strolled past with a woman tucked under his arm. She laughed lightly, the air of flirtation between them unmistakable. Gabriel’s eyes gleamed with hunger as he looked down at her.

“You’re my lucky charm, Julia,” he murmured, cupping her face and pressing a quick kiss to her lips. “How is it possible that this steakhouse—the most expensive one in the city—let us dine here for free tonight? I wonder who this generous gentlemanis, giving out free dinners where people can’t even get a reservation.”

The girl giggled. “Gabriel… now that dinner is done, how about we take it to your place?” She raised her hand, letting her fingers trail lightly along his throat, then down toward his belt, her eyes glinting with mischief.

Gabriel smirked. “My house is off-limits. Do you have a place? Let’s go there.”