Ace PoV
I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement as I got ready for my date with Lucian. I had been looking forward to this all day, and I was determined to make it a night to remember.
As I put on my suit and tie, I couldn't help but think about how beautiful Lucian looked the last time I saw her. Her long, dark hair and piercing green eyes had left me breathless, and I couldn't wait to see her again.
I arrived at her apartment promptly at 7pm, feeling a sense of nervousness that I hadn't experienced in a long time. I took a deep breath, rang the doorbell, and waited for her to answer.
When she opened the door, I was taken aback by how stunning she looked. She was wearing a red dress that hugged her curves in all the right places, and her hair was styled perfectly.
"Wow," I said, feeling a sense of awe. "You look amazing."
Lucian smiled, looking pleased with herself. "Thanks," she said, her voice husky. "You don't look so bad yourself."
I chuckled, feeling a sense of relief. This was going to be a great night.
I offered Lucian my arm, and she took it, smiling up at me as we walked to the car. I couldn't help but notice how perfectly she fit by my side, how her hand rested comfortably on my arm.
As we drove to the restaurant, we chatted easily, discussing everything from our jobs to our favorite books and movies. I was struck by how much we had in common, how effortlessly we conversed.
When we arrived at the restaurant, I was pleased to see that it was just as I had remembered it. The atmosphere was elegant, the service impeccable.
As we sat down at our table, Lucian looked around, taking in the surroundings. "This is beautiful," she said, her eyes shining with appreciation.
I smiled, feeling pleased that she liked it. "I'm glad you approve," I said, signaling the waiter to come over.
As we ordered our food and wine, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. This was shaping up to be a perfect evening, and I was determined to make the most of it.
As we waited for our food to arrive, Lucian and I continued to chat, our conversation flowing easily. I found myself laughing more and more, feeling a sense of joy that I hadn't experienced in a long time.
And then, just as we were getting into the conversation, Lucian asked me a question that caught me off guard. "So, Ace," she said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "What's the real reason you asked me out tonight?"
I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of vulnerability wash over me. "I asked you to dinner because...I wanted to see if there's something more between us," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Lucian's expression changed from curious to shocked in an instant. Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. "What?" she breathed, her voice trembling.
I felt my heart pounding in my chest as I realized I had confessed my true feelings. I hadn't meant to be so blunt, but something about Lucian's presence made me feel like I could be myself.
Lucian looked like she had been punched in the gut. She stared at me, her eyes searching for something, but I couldn't tell what. She seemed to be struggling to process my words.
The silence between us grew thicker, more awkward. I felt like I had made a mistake, like I had revealed too much too soon.
Lucian's face was pale, her lips pressed together. She looked like she was about to bolt, like she was desperate to escape the situation.
I realized I had to do something to salvage the situation. But what?
I reached out and gently placed my hand on Lucian's arm, trying to reassure her. "Lucian, I'm sorry if I shocked you," I said, my voice soft and gentle. "I didn't mean to overwhelm you. I just...I feel a connection with you, and I wanted to be honest about it."
Lucian's eyes flashed with a mixture of emotions - surprise, confusion, and maybe even a little fear. She looked like she was trying to process her thoughts, like she was struggling to find the right words to say.
I gave her a gentle squeeze on the arm, trying to encourage her to open up. "Please, Lucian, say something," I urged her. "Tell me what you're thinking."
Lucian took a deep breath, and then she spoke in a voice that was barely above a whisper. "I...I don't know what to say, Ace," she stammered. "I didn't expect you to say something like that. I don't know how to react."
I nodded understandingly, trying to put her at ease. "It's okay, Lucian," I said. "You don't have to say anything right now. Just...just know that I'm interested in you, and I want to get to know you better."
Lucian looked up at me, her eyes searching mine. For a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of something there - a spark of attraction, maybe, or a hint of curiosity. But then it was gone, and she looked away, her face flushing with embarrassment.