Natasha's Awakening by J. A Melville Page B

elevator doors opened suddenly, snapping her out of her musings. They stepped inside, Eric still holding onto her hand firmly. He turned to her as the doors closed, his eyes running over her. “You know, I don’t know how I’m expected to keep my hands off you for a couple of hours.” He grinned at her.
    Natasha grinned back. “That didn’t seem to stop you last time we were in the restaurant.” She responded.
    “Ah, don’t tempt me.” He replied.
    Fortunately the doors opened before Natasha could think of some sort of comeback. Eric moved his hand to the small of Natasha’s back, guiding her out of the elevator ahead of him. He grabbed her hand again, almost reluctant to break contact with her, and together they walked, side by side to the restaurant. Once inside, they paused waiting for someone to come and seat them. A young woman approached, dressed in the hotel’s uniform, her blonde hair perfectly groomed and pulled back in a tight bun.
    “Good evening Mr Rothman, Miss Barrington,” she said.
    Natasha couldn’t keep the surprise off her face. Ok, she could understand everyone knowing who Eric was, but there was no reason why anyone would know who she was.
    “Come with me,” she gestured for them to follow her and she took them through the restaurant to yet another one of the private booths. Eric waited for Natasha to slide into her seat, before he slipped in beside her. The waitress handed them both a menu before leaving them alone, with the assurance she would be back soon.
    Natasha glanced through the mouth watering array of food available but she wanted the seafood, she’d been denied last night.

“Have you decided what you want, sweetheart?” Eric asked her.
    “I want my oysters Eric,” Natasha said. “You know, the ones I missed out on last night.” She gave him a teasing look and Eric grinned at her. “I don’t know what I want for the main yet, it all sounds so good.”
    “Oysters it is then, but how about for the main meal we get the seafood platter?” Eric suggested.
    “Oh yes please,” Natasha sighed with the mouth watering thought of all that seafood.
    Eric grinned at her, “So that pleases you does it? I’m being cast aside in favour of seafood. You sure know how to dent a man’s fragile ego.” His look was teasing.
    She smiled at him, “I do love my seafood and there is absolutely nothing fragile about your ego.” Natasha said dryly.
    Eric grinned, “What about for dessert? Does anything get your juices flowing?” his voice was laced with innuendo.
    “How about we worry about dessert back in our suite,” Natasha said boldly.
    Eric’s gaze heated up at her words. “I have just the thing,” he told her.
    “Oh, you do? What would that be?” Natasha’s curiosity was peaked.
    Just at that moment the waitress returned to their table to take their order. Eric gave her their choices and ordered a bottle of wine to go with the meal. The waitress took their menus and left them alone again.
    “So have you enjoyed yourself so far?” Eric asked.
    Natasha looked at him, then blushed, dropping her eyes from his intent gaze.
    “I think you know the answer to that,” she replied and Eric laughed softly.
    “I know I’ve been having a great time. You don’t regret that we are stuck here for the week?” He turned his gaze on Natasha as he tried to read her expression.
    “I’m having a great time Eric and you know that. I know we have to stay here; we can’t risk anyone finding out about this. You’ve always made it perfectly clear that you don’t approve of office relationships. What I don’t understand is why you broke your own rule enough that we’re here now?” She raised questioning eyes to him.
    “It’s not because I’m ashamed to be seen with you Natasha, you do realise that don’t you?” Eric asked her.
    “I know I’m breaking my own rule and that’s one of the reasons why we need to be so discreet. Call me weak baby, but it just got too hard to keep