I shake my head to clear it and in order to bring my racing libido in check, I pick up the wine list to peruse. I tilt it towards him and ask, “Do you mind?”
He shakes his head, relieved to be free of that duty. I motion to the sommelier. I don't need to look at the menu, as I know what I want and order it in fluent French, much to the surprise of my date.
“That's pretty impressive.”
I shrug it off. “It's nothing. I have an affinity for languages. I find them easy to pick up.”
“Languages, plural?” he asks.
“Mm,” I murmur noncommittally. How does one say to a man that at only ‘twenty-six’, you speak twenty-two different languages fluently and that two of them are dead?
My phone buzzes. Glancing at the Caller ID it flashes ‘CK.’ Oh, for the love of all things unholy. What does he want?
Smiling apologetically, I hold my finge
r up in an ‘I’ll just be a minute’ gesture. I answer in Italian, adding to the sheer rudeness of my actions. But I can’t ignore him. I just…daren’t. “Hello, my sire. To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Good evening, Liv,” CK’s glorious baritone comes down the phone. “I haven’t heard from you for a few days. Thought I’d check in,” he says smoothly.
Hm, interesting timing…
“Everything is going well with your new…friend?” he inquires innocently.
Crap, there it is. He knows already. How? I sigh inwardly because I should have known.
“Couldn’t be better,” I say a little too brightly, making Constantine chuckle. He knows me too well.
“Well, I can’t wait to make his acquaintance.”
Oh, hell no!
“Hm,” I murmur.
“Are you going to Monaco?” he asks, his usual abrupt change of subject startling me.
I respond quickly, “Yes, of course.”
He is referring to the Monte Carlo Grand Prix that I attend every year.
“Good. I will see you there then, my dear,” he says.
“You’re going?” I swallow nervously. CK barely leaves the confines of his beloved Italy unless he absolutely has to.
“I am,” he states as if daring me to contradict him.
“Okay, great. I will see you in a couple of weeks. I miss you,” I add suddenly. It has been too long since I have seen him this time, and all my recent reminiscing has brought up too much for me to ignore.
“I miss you too, my sweet.” He sounds pleased, and it makes my stomach flutter. “Now, have a fun night with your friend, and remember the rules. I love you.”
“Yes, my sire,” I say and roll my eyes. “I love you too.”
“So, you also speak fluent Italian?” Cole asks, as I hang up.
“Yes,” I smile up at him, conscious of the short answer.
“Hm, languages, indeed. Any more I should know about?” he asks jokingly.
“We’ll see.”