Unbound: The Cursed Trilogy, Book One Betty Legend (smallest ebook reader .TXT) 📖

of younger interior designers, yet it still has the Italian feel with white linens, dark wood furniture, and dim lights.

“Would you like a bottle of wine? It’ll be my treat to celebrate tonight’s accomplishments.”

“Sure, why not?” I smile.

“Red or white?”

“Let’s go with red tonight.”

“Done.” Placing the drink menu aside, he admires me a moment before we’re interrupted. The waitress fills our glasses with fresh water and asks what we would like to drink.

“A bottle of your finest red.”

“Right away, sir. Would you like an appetizer to enjoy?”

“The bruschetta, please,” I answer.

“Anything else?”

“No, that’ll do,” Griffin replies.

“Do you know what you would like to order, or do you need a minute or two?”

We eye each other and nod, letting the other know we’re ready before giving our orders. The waitress leaves with our menus, and Griffin’s attention returns to me.

“Have you done much traveling?”

“I have. I love to travel. When I have a great art show like tonight, I set aside some of the money to travel somewhere I haven’t been before. How about you?”

“I love to travel as well, but my travels are limited, unfortunately.” Sadness seeps out of his voice and gives rise to my curiosity.

“It seems work limits a lot of things for you, such as dating and travel.”

“It’s not work that interferes, it’s something more complex.”

There’s an air of mystery to Griffin and these vague mentions of complexity in his life. Perhaps while we’re together, I can peel back a few layers and discover why his life is so complicated. My theories consist of him either being a saint who cares for an ill parent, or he’s an asshole with a wife and children, hiding them so he can seduce other women while traveling for business. With that thought, I remember why I have the rule of no one-night stands. Admiring his angelic face and oceanic eyes, I really hope it’s the former of the two.

“Do you have any siblings?”

His question snaps me out of my thoughts.

“No, I’m an only child, but I have a cousin, Rachel, who I grew up with. She’s like a sister to me. How about you? Any siblings?”

“No, only child as well.”

Now I know the complications don’t involve siblings.

“How about pets?”

Lifting my glass of wine, the waitress brought and poured, I sit back in my chair, studying him before taking a sip of the flavorful liquid.

“I feel like I’m being interviewed.”

Griffin lifts his glass and chuckles.

“I’m sorry, I haven’t been on a proper date in a while. I’m trying my best to get to know you since we’ll be spending some time together.”

The tightness in my shoulders eases, and I take another drink before setting the glass down.

“All right. I don’t have any pets. I’d like to, but my landlord doesn’t allow pets.” I motion my hand in the air toward him. “How about you? Any pets, or are things too complicated to have pets?”

“I have four friends who are like pets. Does that count?”

A joke… Griffin made a joke. So, the man has a sense of humor, thankfully.

With my lips tilted, I reach for my wine glass. Griffin opens his mouth to ask me another question, but he’s interrupted by the delivery of our appetizer. The plate is set between us, and Griffin kindly gestures for me to gather what I want first, then fills his plate. Our chatter continues back and forth until our meals are served. When the check comes, I start to tell the waitress our meals are separate, but Griffin waves his hand and scoops up the little black folder.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I’m happy to. Your company this evening has been wonderful, and we’re here to celebrate, right?” A dimple forms as he smiles, and those butterflies from earlier flutter around.

This man breathes charm and emanates kindness. I hope it’s not a façade to cover up that he’s a serial killer or cheater. My heart would be crushed.

Walking out, he places his warm hand at the small of my back. Familiar heat and tingling disperse across my skin, igniting goosebumps across my flesh. I’ll have to say goodbye to him soon, and I’m already agonizing over it.

We walk back toward 369 Studio Gallery, seemingly lost in our thoughts.

“I have a few ideas for tomorrow.”

He perks up. “I’d love to hear them.”

“Depending on your preference, I can book a tour for the catacombs by candlelight, the Statue of Liberty, or a carriage ride through Central Park.”

“I’d like to do all of them… with you.”

My lips curve upward. “All right, I’ll get them booked. I can text you the tour dates and times. Will you be free during the day while here?”

“I can be.”

“Great.”

I pull out my phone, and he does the same. We exchange numbers, then settle into a casual walk the rest of the way back to the art studio. Most of the lights are out, with only a couple of the staff left inside. Standing outside, I face him, a frown tugging at my lips.

“I’m going to call a cab from here after I ensure all the art has been taken care of. Thank you for tonight.”

Griffin brings his hand forward, taking mine. I’m surprised when he lifts my hand to his lips, my stomach fluttering at the simple kiss.

“I’m sorry, Selene.”

My brows pinch inward at the strange usage of words and guilt in his voice.

“For wha—”

A puff of green powder blurs my vision, the movement of his hand barely noticed before the mystery powder shrouds my view. I take a step away from him, panic seizing my chest as I cough. My eyes can’t make out any shapes or colors. Darkness creeps into my lids as a haze of confusion makes it difficult to concentrate. Flailing my arms, I try to find something solid to grab onto, anything to make sense of what is happening, dizziness challenging my every step. Strong hands take hold of my hips as I fall deeper into delirium. Heated breath feathers my ear, and my body freezes.

“Don’t worry,