Mirabelle’s POV:
As the evening approached, I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my dress one last time. The soft fabric hugged my curves, and I couldn’t help but smile at the reflection staring back at me.
“Mom! Is it time yet?” Mika’s voice echoed from the hallway.
“Almost, sweetheart! Just a few more minutes.” I called back, grabbing my earrings and slipping them on.
From the other room, I could hear the sounds of Skyler and Tyler bickering over something.
“Okay kids, mommy is ready!” I announced, stepping out into the living room.
“Wow, Mom! You look pwetty!” Mika exclaimed.
“Thanks, sweetheart. And you look beautiful!” I knelt to adjust Mika’s hair. “Are you all ready for bedtime? Jamie will soon tuck you guys in?”
“Yup!” Mika replied, giggling.
Tyler rolled his eyes playfully. “It’s just bedtime. Why are you acting like it’s a party?”
Skyler shrugged, “Maybe it is a party for her.”
Giggling, I noticed Noah, who was standing by the door, ready to go. He looked handsome in his black tailored suit.
“Are you ready to go?” He asked.
“Yes,” I replied, glancing at the kids. “Goodbye, children.”
“Bye!” They chimed in unison.
“Alright, let’s head out then!” Noah said, ushering me out the door.
As we drove through the city, I looked over at Noah, who seemed deep in thought.
When we arrived at the five-star restaurant, I noticed the place was empty-too empty for a Friday night.
“Noah, did you book the whole restaurant?” I asked.
Chuckling softly. “Maybe I did. Maybe I did not.” He replied.
My heart swelled. “Aww, thank you.”
We were led to a cozy corner table by a waiter, and as we settled in, he brought us a bottle of champagne and then he poured us each a glass.
“To us,” Noah said, raising his glass.
“To us.” I echoed, clinking my glass against his.
“I needed this,” I confessed, looking into his eyes. “Just the two of us, away from everything.”
“Same here.” He admitted.
Clearing my throat, I began. “I can’t help but feel like you are holding back sometimes.”
“What do you mean?” He asked, leaning in.
“It’s like you don’t want to overwhelm me, and you worry so much about what I say or do. I want to be the partner you need, but sometimes it feels like you, I don’t know… are you a little too cautious?” I explained.
“I appreciate that you care about my feelings, but I want you to be free around me. I want to know the real you-the unfiltered version,” I added. “We’ve both been through so much; I want to share those moments, not hide from them.”
He studied me for a moment. “It’s not that easy though, but I’ll try to be more open.”
“Good,” I replied. “Now, let’s make this more fun. How about we spin the champagne bottle, and whoever it points to shares a story about their life?”
“I like it! Ladies first.” He chimed in.
I laughed, setting the bottle in the center of the table and giving it a good spin. As it slowed, it pointed directly at Noah.
“Looks like you’re up,” I said, grinning.
He took a deep breath. “Okay, here goes.” He began. “A few days after I lost my mother to cancer, my father came home with a woman and a boy who looked exactly like him. I immediately knew that the boy had to be my father’s son. The boy was just one year younger than me, which meant that my father had another family. It also meant that while my mom was battling with cancer he had the time to sneak out and meet his second family.”
My heart. “That must have been a shock; I mean, you were so young and all.”
“I felt like my whole world had crumbled. I didn’t know how to process it. I spent years wondering if I was also going to be like him, and then he just moved on, leaving me to pick up the pieces.” He added as he reached across the table to squeeze his hand. “But you turned out to be an incredible man despite all of that.”
“Thank you.” He said, smiling widely. “Your turn!”
I took a sip of champagne, collecting my thoughts. “Well, my mother ran off with a man when I was young. She abandoned me with my father, who fought hard to provide for us. He eventually built the company that Ken stole from me, after pouring his heart and soul into it. When I think about the sacrifices he made, and how easy it was for Mitchelle and Ken to steal it away, it drives me crazy.”
We shared a few more stories and laughed loudly. It felt like a breath of fresh air.
As the night wore on, we finally decided it was time to head home. The drive back was quiet, but it was peaceful. When we walked through the door, the house was dim, and the kids were sound asleep.
Stepping into the room, Noah wrapped his arms around me from behind, pulling me close. “I love this moment, just being with you.”
“Me too,” I whispered, leaning into him.
We made our way to the bed, where he pulled off my necklace gently. His hands slowly reached for my lips, and leaning in slowly, he began to cover my neck with kisses while biting me softly.
His fingers slide under the thin strap of my frock, pushing it off my shoulder with a slow motion. My skin burns where his touch lingers, and I can’t help the soft gasp that escapes me. He pulls away just enough to look down at me, his breath warm on my neck.
“God, Mira.” He murmurs. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to hold back with you looking like that?”
I bite my lip, trying to keep some control, but my heart is racing. “Then don’t,” I whisper back, daring him.
“Don’t tempt me.” He growls, his lips finding my collarbone, kissing a slow trail down to my chest. “Or I won’t be able to stop myself.”
“Who says I want you to stop?” I breathe.