Found in Understanding: Refuge Series Book Three by Debbie Zello (20)

Chapter Twenty

We pulled into the casino parking lot, driving around to the valet parking attendant. My door was opened as well as Trigger’s. I heard him say to the attendant, “Don’t break her,” as he slipped some money into his hand.

“No sir! I’ll be very careful.” the attendant said. Trigger came around the car and took my hand. Once we were inside the building, he stopped and looked around. I stood there watching him not knowing what he was waiting for.

“Just as I thought,” he said looking at me.

“What did you think?” I asked.

“I’m with the most beautiful woman in the whole place,” he said holding my chin and lowering his lips to mine. His kiss was warm, soft and minty. He moved his head back to look at me again. “A man could get lost in your eyes, Neomi. You’re bewitching me, using your magic against me.”

“Trust me, I have no magic. I’m as ordinary as they come.”

“There is nothing ordinary about you,” he said kissing my cheek. Holding my hand again, we began walking towards the casino area. I could hear the sounds of hundreds of slot machines. “Do you want to throw a few coins in?” he asked me.

“With my frugal upbringing, gambling would be a sin. I don’t throw money away on games of chance,” I said solemnly.

“Let’s get to the restaurant then and you can tell me about that frugal upbringing.”

The pub was cozy and dark. Books lined red walls. Dark wood floors looked warm and worn. The place was huge yet still had a comfy feel to it. We were seated in a dark corner away from most of the other diners. A woman came over to us almost immediately. “Hi, I’m Bree and I’ll be taking care of you tonight.”

“Hi, Bree. What do you recommend?” Trigger asked.

“Frankly, there isn’t anything on the menu that I wouldn’t recommend. You won’t be sorry with anything. Can I start you with drinks?”

“We’ll have a bottle of chardonnay. Whatever you bring will be fine,” he told her. Bree walked away as he shifted his chair closer to me. “I should have asked you. Do you drink wine? I remember when I was in college all we drank was beer.”

“I don’t like beer. I don’t drink much. I’ll try the wine,” I said opening the menu to look it over. Everything sounded so good. I began reading the history of the pub. “This was built in Ireland by Irish craftsman. It was disassembled and sent here. Then it was reconstructed on this site. That’s amazing.”

“Do you want to meet the manager?”

“You know him?” I asked wondering exactly who this man was that he would know the manager of this restaurant.

“I know him. His name is Kevin Mcilwain. He’ll be around. He’s very hands on and stops by the tables to check on you.”

“Speaking of names, I have a question for you. You told me that everyone calls you Trigger. What is your real name?”

“You’ll laugh.” he said, looking over the top of the menu.

“Trust me, I won’t laugh. I had an unfortunate incident in school revolving around my name. Everyone laughed at me. I’m cognizant of people’s reactions to names.”

“Well, Neomi, you will share that story if I tell you mine. Deal?” he quirked his eyebrow.

“Okay, deal,” I said reluctantly.

“My parents were flower children straight out of the sixties. They were in their forties when they finally joined the establishment and had me. Problem was, they were still at Woodstock when they named me. My real name is Understanding Matters Franklyn.” he said, watching my reaction.

“I don’t believe you,” I said, narrowing my eyes at him.

“No? Few people do. That’s why I’ve let Trigger become my name. I’ll show you my license,” he said taking out his wallet.

He handed me the whole thing. I unfolded it and his license was visible along with several credit cards. Sure enough, it read exactly what he said. “Your name is Understanding. You’re as strange as I am. My name is Firelight,” I said, comfortable that he wouldn’t laugh at me.

“It’s nice to meet you, Firelight. You have a beautiful name, it suits you.”

We ate our dinner relaxed in each other’s company. I shared some of my life history with him. He did the same with his childhood. I found that I like wine so much better than beer. I began to feel the effects of the alcohol spread through me. I didn’t finish my second glass.

“Do you want something for dessert?” Bree asked with the menu in her hand.

“I’m stuffed so nothing for me,” I said.

“I’m done as well, thank you,” Trigger said passing her his credit card. “We’re going to stay and dance for a while so put the cover charge on the bill too.”

“Will do,” she said walking away.

“I’m not much of a dancer,” I admitted.

“You’ll be able to follow me. If I make you dance with me, it gives me a chance to hold you. Dancing is my way of showing you I’m interested in you. That I want you close. I’m courting you, Miss Dillon.”

“Your parents named you appropriately, you are understanding. And it does matter, at least to me. So Mr. Franklyn, I’m glad that you want to court me.”

Bree cleaned our table. Trigger moved his chair right next to me and draped his arm over the back of my chair. We watched as the musicians set up their instruments and checked their mics. It was beginning to get very loud as more and more people shuffled in for the live music. I was glad we had gotten there early and had a nice table.

They began playing a slow Irish folk song. Trigger stood up and took my hand leading me out to the dance floor. We were the only ones on the dance floor, and I was nervous. He placed my arm around his waist under his jacket, then his hand on the nape of my neck. He positioned my right hand on his chest directly above his heart, with his hand over mine. I was staring at my feet and his.

“Don’t look at your feet. Look in my eyes. They’ll tell you where we’re going. Feel my heart beat and use it for your rhythm. When you’re comfortable move into my arms,” he whispered to me.

We swayed a few times and then he moved me around the dance floor as if we had been dancing together all our lives. By the time, we had made one revolution around the floor I was in his arms. He smelled so good I was breathing him in. I wanted to rest my cheek against his chest and snuggle but I kept my eyes on his as he said to do. What I saw there was both romantic and frightening. Clearly, he liked me and his desire was there too.

Magnetism…that’s what he had. A primal, animal attraction, missing from most other men. I felt the pull from the first meeting with the deeply seductive deep tone of his voice to the swagger of his walk. He was the personification of every book-boyfriend in every book I’ve read. Only this one was real.

When the song ended, he kissed me with a sweet, soft, gentle peck that said ‘thank you for the dance.’ “You dance beautifully, Neomi. You’re quite graceful,” he spoke softly in my ear.

“No one has ever said that before. Maybe it’s the wine,” I said giggling.

“No. It’s your body. You’re willowy as well as dazzling. Every man in here wishes he were me right now,” he said holding my shoulders.

“Slightly overstated, Mr. Franklyn, but very sweet even so.”

I fell asleep on the ride back. It was a little after two in the morning when he woke me. “Hey, beautiful. We’re back. Do you need me to carry you in?”

“No, thank you, I can walk. I’m not usually up this late. Sorry I fell asleep on you.”

“Not a problem, I’m not offended. I know you’re an early-riser. I shouldn’t have kept you up this late,” he said apologizing.

“I had a wonderful time. It was well worth the late arrival. Thank you.”

“Does that mean you’ll see me again?” he asked.

“Yes, it does,” I said trying to keep my eyes open. He walked me to the door of the building. He wove his fingers through my hair angling my head to mate with his lips. This time his tongue pressed my lips until I opened to him. He held me so tightly, which was a good thing because I felt light-headed.

“You had better go in before I don’t let you go,” he said opening the door and pushing me through. “Good night, Firelight. Thank you for the dancing. If it’s warm next Saturday, I’ll take you for a slow ride.” I watched him walk back down the sidewalk before closing the door and leaning against it.

Crystal was lying on the couch asleep, when I walked in. I bent over her and touched her arm. “Crystal, wake up and go to bed.”

“I was waiting for you to get home. How was your date?” she said rubbing her eyes.

“Fun! We went to the casino for dinner and dancing.”

“Wow! He’s a big spender,” she said sitting up straight.

“I like him. He’s sweet and understanding,” I said with a smirk. “Thanks for waiting up for me, but I’m exhausted. We’ll talk more in the morning. I have to get some sleep.”

“Okay. See you in the morning.”