(Jenna's POV)

After talking with Aimee, I felt so much better.

In fact, I'd decided that I was going to just let go and give things a chance with Nik...see where they go.

During lunch, as well as the rest of our work day, we held hands and flirted playfully. It felt nice to finally feel that free.

God...I can see myself falling so hard for Nik that I can't help but be a little scared though.

But, as my father said to me when he was teaching me to ride my bike without my training wheels for the first time, 'No risk, no reward'...

Of course, I didn't really understand that as a kid but, boy do I now!

I can only hope that that my reward is Nik...in love with me too.

Fingers crossed!

We arrived home from work about 40 minutes ago and I am now soaking in a nice, hot bath in preparation for tonight's date, as Nik called it.

I don't want to seem presumptuous or slutty, but...I am making sure everything is clean shaven...though I know that I could never go through with it...sex...this soon.

I want to really get to know Nik and enjoy spending time with him first...make sure he is the one.

I mean, we might find out that despite our intense attraction, we have nothing in common, which is very possible since we both come from completely different backgrounds.

But again, I'm going to throw caution to the wind and let things play out.

Once I'm out of the tub, I slather myself with lotion and get ready.

Nik said he'd come up and get me at 6:00 pm, like a real date...so here I am, sitting on the chair by the fireplace, waiting for him.

A few minutes pass in nervous anticipation before he knocks on the door.

I walk over and answer, and as always, am blown away by how impeccably dressed and handsome he is.

And tall...

"My lady..." he greets before kissing my hand gallantly. "I brought these for you," he says before handing me a beautiful bouquet of flowers, tied with a thick, red, silk bow.

"Thank you," I say as I turn to place them on the table. "I don't have a vase..." I frown.

"Don't worry...Ursula will be up momentarily with one and will take care of it," he assures me with a smile.

"I'm glad...these are far too pretty to waste," I tell him.

"Shall we?" he asks, holding out his arm for me to take.

"We shall," I respond, trying to keep my cool.

As we're walking down the hall, he says, "I hope you don't mind, but I thought we could take our dinner in the wine cellar this evening."

"Wine cellar?" I ask nervously, hoping that it isn't some dark, creepy, spider web filled basement.

"Yes...it's quite a lovely space," he responds.

"Okay..." I reply with a bit of apprehension, but smile.

Tonight is all about trusting and letting go, so I am just going to trust Nik and go with the flow.

We finally arrive in the kitchen where Nik opens a large, thick, wooden door clad with cast iron, which leads to a wide set of stone steps that disappear down into the darkness, causing me to grip Nik's arm and pull myself closer to him.

He chuckles and says, "You'll always be safe with me."

I hope so...

We descend and come to a cavernous stone, pillared room full of old barrels which I assume are filled with wine.

Large, wrought iron floor candelabras are placed around the room as well as the occasional candle setting atop the barrels, casting the room in a warm, romantic yet mysterious glow.

We take one of the insanely wide passageways that leads away from the room and pass barrel after barrel in the torch and candlelit space.

"This is enough wine to get the entire country drunk," I comment jokingly causing Nik to chuckle again.

"Mother likes to keep plenty on hand since she loves throwing her dinner parties," he replies and then rolls his eyes.

"Regina, right?" I ask.

"Regina..." he says as he turns his head towards me. "Where did you hear that?"

"One of the maids called her that," I tell him with my brow furrowed.

"Oh...well, yes...that is her title, but...her name is Aurelia," he says. "Aurelia Arachne Nikoleta Agrapina."

"Whoa...that's...a lot of names," I comment, glad that my name is fairly simple – Jenna Joelle Dawes.  

"Yes it is," he agrees with that cute little chuckle of his.

"So...Nikoleta...she named you after herself," I grin, thinking it's cute.

"Yes...twice," he nods. "Nikolai Aurelian Casimir Basil Rykov."

"Well...that's a mouthful," I tease with a giggle.

"You should try writing it," he jokes good-naturedly. 

When we finally arrive in large but cozy stone room, I'm once again blown away by what I see – candles and flowers everywhere, with a table in the middle set for two with fine linens, china, and silverware, surrounded by racks of bottles of wine.  The old Victrola that Nik used up in the solarium to play music on is now down here. 

"This is so beautiful," I whisper in amazement.

"I'm glad you like it," he smiles as he pulls my chair out for me.

Nik takes his seat and leans forward to take my hands in his across the table. "I just wanted to tell you that...I'm so glad that you're finally giving this a chance...us a chance," he says softly as the candlelight licks across his pale skin as he caresses my hands with his thumbs.

"So am I," I say sincerely with a smile. "But...there is something I think you should know..." I add a bit apprehensively.

"And what would that be?" he asks guardedly, as if I'm about to tell him something bad.

"It's just that...this is all new to me...dating and stuff," I admit, feeling my face flush with embarrassment, but I felt he should know.

"Oh..." he breathes out in a relieved manner. "You scared me there for a moment," he chuckles.

"Sorry," I reply before giving his hands a slight squeeze. "I didn't mean to."

"No need to apologize," he tells me. "I fear that I am a novice as well in the field of dating and all that implies," he smiles bashfully.

"Really?" I ask suspiciously. "Those guys in town seemed to think otherwise," I accuse, arching my brow. 

"Those guys...if you can even call them that, were just looking to start trouble...stir the pot, so to speak," Nik defends with anger tinging his voice. "All gypsies are liars and troublemakers."

"So you never dated...tall women?" I ask; my voice laced with doubt.

"Certainly not...no," he denies. "I'm not fustangiu...a womanizer, Jenna. I assure you," he says seriously as he looks into my eyes.

"Then why would they say that?" I prod. I can't help it – this is something that really worked on my mind in a negative way and I need some closure before anything begins between us.

"Like I said...ticăloși – they are scoundrels," he clenches his jaw. "Please, Jenna...don't let them come between us," he pleads.

He looks and sounds so sincere that I believe him.

"I won't," I tell him honestly, deciding to drop it. 

"Thank you for trusting me," he kisses my hand. "You won't regret it."

I hope not...

"Sorry if I ruined our evening," I say remorsefully as I look around at the romantic setting he'd prepared.

"You didn't," he smiles assuringly. "I always want you to feel that you can talk to me about anything...ask me anything."

I nod gratefully, glad to have cleared the air and have him be so understanding.

"I thought we could listen to some music before our meals arrive," he says as he drops one of my hands and stands, gently pulling me up with him.

He kisses my hand again before releasing me to walk over to the Victrola.

"I had Anton purchase some new records while we were at work today," he says excitedly as he pulls one from its sleeve and places it on the turntable.

He cranks it up before setting the needle down.

As soon as the intro begins, I instantly recognize it...Lionel Richie.

My mom loved his music, especially when he was with The Commodores.

He must see a look of surprise and recognition on my face.

"You like The Lionel Richie too?" he asks adorably and I can't help but giggle.

"It's just Lionel Richie, and yes...I do," I smile appreciatively.

Maybe it's a sign from mom...letting me know that she approves...

"I wanted you to know how I feel..." he blushes slightly before pulling me close as the second verse begins...

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

⬆️PLEASE LISTEN TO HELP SET THE MOOD! IT'S TRULY A BEAUTIFUL SONG! ⬆️

You're once

Twice

Three times a lady

And I love you

Yes, you're once

Twice

Three times a lady

And I love you

I love you

The way he's looking at me so intensely is making my heart and stomach flutter. Is he telling me he loves me???

When we are together

The moments I cherish

With every beat of my heart

To touch you

To hold you

To feel you

To need you

There's nothing to keep us apart

"Nothing," he bends down and whispers in my ear – his warm breath causing me to shiver in delight as he caresses me while we sway back and forth. 

You're once

Twice

Three times a lady

And I love you

I wrap my arms around Nik and hold on for what feels like dear life. I'm falling...and falling hard...

Yes, you're once

Twice

Three times a lady

And I love you

I love you...

As the song sadly comes to an end, I'm completely and utterly mesmerized by Nik...his voice, his touch, his smell...

He's everything I could've ever hoped for...and then some.

He's the stuff of dreams...the prince that Aimee and I fantasized about when we were little.

And I want more...all of it...him.

A/N : So...how do you think Nik and The Lionel Richie did, romancing Jenna? Lol PLEASE let me know what you think!

BTW...In Greek mythology, Arachne, from Greek ἀράχνη "spider", was a talented weaver who challenged Athena, goddess of wisdom and crafts, to a weaving contest which resulted in her being transformed into a spider.

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