A Moonlight Valentine's Chapter 4 - Shannon

Byron had officially left me speechless. A proper invitation to see me naked? Was he out of his mind? I don’t care how often he says I’m beautiful exactly as I am. He’s only seen me with clothes on. I can hide the imperfections under clothes. And I’m very good when it comes to hiding things with makeup. Not that I should brag about getting the perfect combination of foundation to hide bruises.

I’m a mother of FIVE! That means over the last THIRTEEN years of my life, I’ve been pregnant five times. I have stretch marks and a muffin top that no diet or exercise will eliminate. My ex used to tear me down about how I supposedly let myself go and how I should be happy that he even wanted to have sex with me. If becoming morbidly obese would have gotten me out of that marriage faster without risk to my health, I’d have eaten buckets of greasy fast food for every meal.

Either way, there was no way that Bryon and I would be having sex. My vagina may feel differently, but I just got divorced from a controlling bastard that used violence and sex as weapons and forms of control. No matter how close I felt to Byron, given the years we’ve known each other as editor and author. Also, no matter how attracted to him I am, or the dreams I turned into books reinforced that I wasn’t ready for a sexual relationship.

I quickly changed into the dress Byron picked, including my girdle that helped contain my belly fat and jiggly thighs, then did some light makeup and tried to do something with my hair but ended up putting it into a bun. I still needed to figure out where we were going, but he picked the dress, so it better meet the dress code. I paused to do a quick check of myself in the mirror. Not to check myself out. I don’t have that kind of confidence. I wanted to be sure the outfit didn’t have secret stains or rips.

“Mommy, you look pretty!” Shauna gushed as she noticed me first.

“Thank you, sweetie.” I smiled. “I’ll be home by be…” I started to outline, but Byron cut me off.

“She’ll be back by midnight. Evie, I trust you can manage the children’s bedtime routine. And I am sure that all of you…” Byron made eye contact with all my children. “Will behave for Evie and let your mommy enjoy a night out.”

“It’ll be fine, Shannon,” Evie assured me as she urged me in Byron’s direction. “I’ve got everything covered. Now, go be whisked away for your Valentine’s date with a vampire.”

“There isn’t anything to worry about, Mom. We’ll be fine.” Kennedy assured me.

I sighed and reluctantly gave in. After hugging and kissing all my babies, Byron finally got me out the front door to surprise me with our mode of transportation. I knew Byron drove a nice dark blue SUV, but that’s not what was in my driveway. A black Rolls Royce was waiting with the driver holding the door open. I arched my brow at Byron, but he smiled and gently placed his hand on the center of my back to guide me forward.

The driver smiled and nodded a good evening as we got in. That was it. He didn’t speak another word to use as he drove. I fidgeted in the seat. I’d never been in a car this nice, let alone a car with someone else driving. I don’t count ‘dates’ in high school where dad drove because he didn’t trust boys. That man wouldn’t know a gentleman if he punched him in the face. Oh wait, one did indirectly when Rohan sent him packing from Shikoba’s apartment when they started dating.

“Is the car too much? I didn’t want any distractions. Which included having to focus on driving instead of my lovely companion.” Byron asked and placed his hand over mine.

“Maybe a little. I just… I’m not…” I sighed.

“Used to being romanced? That’s fine. I’m happy to be the man who shows you your dreams and fantasies, and all the romance you pour into your books can be real.” He whispered as he pressed a kiss just below my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

He’s a predator - a creature of the night that feeds on blood. I should be terrified of his mouth anywhere near my neck. Yet, instead, my thighs were squeezing together to suppress the desire he awakened. How will I get through tonight without letting him do anything and everything I’ve written Duke Byron has done to Lady Grace?

“Mhm. And what exactly are we doing tonight? You’ve yet to tell me any of your plans. Just showed up, sister on your heels, and whisked me away in a car that probably costs more than my house.” I decided to change the subject.

“I wanted to give you a night out, especially a Valentine’s that you’d never forget.” Byron smiled. “So first, dinner.” He pointed out the window as the car stopped at an exclusive French restaurant.

“le Cheval de Saphir?” I blinked. “You need reservations probably years in advance. There’s no way you got a reservation here on short notice. Even if you’d planned tonight since the day I left my ex, you couldn’t have gotten a table, let alone on Valentine’s Day.”

“You forget who I am, Shannon.” Byron winked as he slipped out the door the driver was holding. “Come, my darling, we have a reservation to keep.” He offered me his hand, and while I still didn’t believe him, I took his hand.

I felt out of place as Byron slipped his arm around me and guided me into the restaurant that looked like it could’ve been plucked from the stairs of Paris and transported to downtown Portland. Everyone here was dressed much nicer than my simple black dress. I don’t belong in a place like this, and the way the hostess eyed me made that clear.

“Good evening, sir and…ma’am. Welcome to le Cheval de Saphir. We are currently booked for the evening.” She greeted us with what might pass as an apologetic smile.

“Good to know. Reservation for two under Byron Grey.” Byron didn’t miss a beat.

There’s no way she’s going to find a reservation for us. Maybe he’s using some vampire power? Compulsion? Is that a thing or just something we writers made up? The girl sighed but checked her book and blinked twice before looking at us again.

“Um, yes. Your table is ready, Mr. Grey. A bottle of 2011 Château Malescasse is waiting, compliments of Mr. Beaumont.” Her attitude completely changed as she moved to bring us to our table.

“Who’s Mr. Beaumont, and why would he give us a bottle of expensive wine?” I whispered as we were led to a private table overlooking the Willamette River.

The table set a romantic mood with a drippy candle and a single red rose. The whole restaurant honestly had that vibe. The dark and intimate interior of the restaurant catered to the vibe of romance. So, it wasn’t just something they changed up for the holiday. The interior of this restaurant on websites was one of the reasons I wanted to try it in the nearly four years since it opened. The other was because I’ve always wanted to try French cuisine, but Eric always put it down, calling it crap and for queers.

“Cassius. His last name is Beaumont, and this is this restaurant.” Byron smiled as he pulled a seat out for me.

I blinked and took my seat. I’ve met various members of Byron’s clan over the months. Cassius was one of them, but I was never given his surname. Now, it made sense. How could Byron have reserved such an amazing table and a bottle of wine? Byron’s second in command of their clan. So, of course, Cassius would accommodate him with as much care and consideration as he’d give if Caleb requested a table.

“Your server will be with you shortly, Mr. Grey. Would you like me to pour the wine?” The hostess offered.

“We’ve got it from here.” Byron waved her off without a glance as he sat, eyes only on me.

“I told you tonight was intended to cater to your dreams and desires. I know you wanted to try this restaurant, that you’ve wanted to dine on French cuisine and someday see Paris for yourself. I can’t whisk you away to Paris... yet. So, bringing you here was the next best thing.” He explained while pouring two glasses of wine.

I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. I have never had someone pay so close attention to me. I mentioned this restaurant maybe once in our texts when I was still married, and Byron was only my editor. But he remembered it and how much I adore French culture. In my books, Duke Byron even whisked Lady Grace away to the French countryside. Byron was serious about wanting to make my dreams come true. I didn’t know if I deserved all this, but I looked forward to seeing what else he had in mind for tonight.