Her Heart's Desire by Lauren Wilder

cobbled street leading to the river lined on either side by stylish warehouse conversions.
    James explained that years ago the warehouses were the riverside hub of London, where the traders stored their wares and traded from barges along the Thames. Now they were city crash pads for the wealthy financiers of London. Marisa thought it was gorgeous, and she marvelled at the history. She longed to know more.
    James paid the cab, and they walked along the cobbles. A mist came off the river, and Marisa shivered. It was a little bit creepy, and it put her in mind of the old Jack the Ripper movies. She moved closer to James and wished she could feel his protective arm around her.
    She clip-clopped awkwardly beside him. Her heels were totally unsuitable for the slippery path. She was glad they didn’t have far to go.
    ‘Those heels are no match for the cobbles, I’m afraid,’ he said.
    ‘No, they aren’t at all.’ Marisa hobbled alongside him, anxious to keep up. He offered her his arm.
    ’Here, grab hold. I wouldn’t want to be responsible for you falling.’
    Marisa took hold and held on tight. She leaned into him, revelling in his closeness. It’s too late , I’ve already fallen .
    They soon reached Pont De La Tour, an elegant French restaurant beside the river. Marisa recognized it from the many magazines she had read about England. It was one of London’s best restaurants, favored by the ‘in crowd.’ She wondered if they would see anyone famous.
    James held the door open for her, and they were instantly approached by the maître d’. He seated them in a discreet corner facing the river, near to a grand piano.
    ‘Oh, how lovely,’ Marisa said, enthralled by the front view of the Tower of London as it stood majestic, brightly lit up on the banks of the Thames.
    ‘It’s quite spectacular from here, isn’t it?’ James said.
    ‘Oh yes, it’s just fabulous, thank you so much for bringing me.’
    Marisa wanted to kiss him, she was so happy. She looked around the restaurant. The place had a wonderful ambience, cozy and expensive with impeccably dressed tables, covered with crisp white linen cloths and silver cutlery. Candlelight flickered in the low lit room, and the reflections danced on the river, shimmering through the floor to ceiling windows.
    She felt giddy with excitement to be there with him. She gazed at his handsome face and blushed when he met her eyes. She could hardly believe it, what an absolutely perfect evening it was. She felt like pinching herself to check it was all real.
    He ordered a bottle of their finest red wine to go with the meal, and they made their choices, opting to dismiss a starter in favor of a pudding, as James called it, which she found very cute.
    They chatted as they enjoyed their meal. The food was delicious and the wine exquisite. Marisa felt the alcohol go quickly go to her head; she began to relax and flirt a little, teasing him about other English words that made her laugh.
    ‘What about motorway .’ She exaggerated the two syllables.
    ‘Ahh, you are making fun of me, Miss Lowell, I think,’ he said, grinning sexily, making her melt.
    ‘Yes, I am just a little bit, sorry. I just find your accent so wonderful, and everything’s so new to me. England, the words, the customs, everything, I have a lot to learn, but I also find it very appealing.’
    ‘I’m pleased to hear that.’ James took a moment, pausing before he continued, ‘And what about me, Miss Lowell, do you also find me very appealing?’
    His bluntness took Marisa by surprise, and she was instantly excited. She took a sip of wine to calm her as he gazed at her intently, the attraction undeniable now to both of them.
    He reached across the table and touched her hand gently, his fingers stroking hers suggestively as he gazed into her eyes. She responded by curling her fingers playfully around his.
    ‘What are we doing?’ she whispered, nerves jumping through her body, making every stroke of his fingers