Darkness, Kindled by Samantha Young Read Free Book Online Page B

windows and low, vaulted ceilings with thick, dark beams. A grand fireplace served as the room’s focal point.
    The restaurant smelled amazing. Her  stomach agreed.
    The maître d’ led them past the  other diners to a private corner table, and all the while Ari wondered about Jai’s surprising language skills and whether a maître d’ was called such in Italy, considering the word was French. Hmm.
    Once they were seated with menus  and water, Ari arched an eyebrow at Jai. He lowered the glass he was about to sip from. “What?”
    “Italian? You speak Italian?”
    He nodded, appearing bemused. “I  speak Italian.”
    “Do you speak any other languages I  should know about?”
    “French, German, Spanish, and  Arabic. Some Farsi. A little Chinese and some Japanese, but not fluent. Oh, and a little Russian.”
    Ari’s mouth fell open with  unladylike shock. “How did I not know I was dating a linguistic genius?”
    “I’m not a genius.”
    “You’re a genius.” She shrugged  teasingly. “I wish I’d known this before we started dating. I don’t know if I can handle being with someone who thinks he’s smarter than me.”
    “Wait a minute—a minute ago I was  a genius. Now I only think I’m smarter than you?”
    She smiled and shrugged again. “You  speak one, two … nine languages … you’re a genius and I bet you think you’re smarter than me.”
    Jai chuckled and sipped his water.
    “I think I’m just smart enough for you.”
    Ari pouted a little. “I only speak  English.”
    “And you speak it well, baby.”
    For that he got a kick under the  table. He grunted and smiled into his water. He looked happy. Ari felt a warm glow in her belly and smiled softly at him, memorizing every single feature, every long, dark eyelash. Suddenly she felt awful for having acted like such a petulant ass these last few weeks. “I really am sorry for blowing up at you.”
    “It’s okay,” he assured her, his  expression tender.
    “You just …” She flushed and  glanced around at the busy restaurant. Couples were deep in conversation and Ari could hear a number of languages among them.
    “I just what?”
    When she turned back to him, he was  frowning. She smiled a little shyly. “You make me a little crazy. I mean, I probably shouldn’t tell you this but you occupy a large portion of my daily thoughts.” She laughed, feeling completely dorky. “It’s a little obsessive.”
    Thankfully, Jai didn’t go running  for the hills at her confession. Instead, he returned her shy smile and nodded.
    “I know what you mean. You make me a little crazy too.” He shook his head as if in disbelief. “A year ago, all I cared about was the job. Being the best. It dominated my life. I wanted to be the best Ginnaye out there and I wanted to prove myself to Luca. Now, all I think about is you. How to make you happy. How to keep you safe. Sometimes I get it wrong,” he laughed ruefully. Ari chuckled.
    “Clearly, I get it wrong. But I wanted you to know that this craziness … we’re in it together.”
    “Together,” she murmured, her whole  body tingling with emotion. She dipped her chin and glanced up at him from under her eyelashes. “Will together include any naked together time?”
    Jai quickly masked his surprise at  the question and flashed her a wicked smile. “Why, Miss Johnson, I do believe you’re trying to seduce me.”
    “Um … yeah, only since we met.”
    “I have a very strong will.”
    “Your will sucks.”
    “Well,” he sighed dramatically,  making her giggle at this playful side of him she so loved. “I’m feeling kind of weak tonight.”
    Her heart stopped as his meaning  took hold of her. “Really?” she whispered, hoarsely, already planning on skipping the meal to get to the dessert.
    As if he’d read her mind, he gave  her an admonishing look. “Dinner first. Dessert later. Sometimes anticipation is a good thing.”
    “Oh my God, you’re killing me,” she