FIRST SWEET KISS

My jaw dropped as we moved into the dining area that was designed with privacy in mind, featuring an array of intimate spaces and the soft hum of ambient music, carefully chosen to enhance rather than overwhelm creating a soothing backdrop for conversation. I noticed that the staff, impeccably attired and attentive, moved with practiced grace, and in the serene setting made the outside world feel like a distant memory, replaced by an ambiance of quiet sophistication.

"Come on "Chairman Armand spoke up and pulled the chair for me to sit down. It was the first time someone had ever been so kind to me and a blush rose on my neck as I sat down and cleared my throat to cover embarrassment. When I turned around Max had left the room, and I was alone with Chairman Armand.

The waiter rushed over, bowed, and spoke up "Chairman Armand, dinner will be served in a minute. What drink can we serve you today?"

"Bring out the Cheval Blanc bottle of wine and two cigars"He responded.

My mind went blank for a second when he mentioned the bottle as I remembered it was the one bottle of wine that went for four hundred thousand dollars. In minutes, the wine was opened and served, and dinner was placed on the table.

"Enjoy your meal "The waiter spoke up and left.

"Come on, let's eat, I'm hungry "Chairman Armand pointed at the food on the table, and I could only comply as the hunger pangs hit my stomach.

"Thank you, Chairman Armand, "I responded in kindness.

We had a quiet dinner and once we were done, Chairman Armand suggested we settle by the open garden in the private club and took the bottle of wine to us. I took a seat away from him and stared at the beautiful night sky of Utah as it was matched with a magnificent dome of deep indigo, dotted with countless twinkling stars. The clear, night sky provides a stunning view and for the first time, a sense of peace washed over me.

"You seem to be in your element "Chairman Armand's voice reached my ears as he lit a Cigar and pushed smoke out of his mouth.

"Thank you, Chairman Armand, I do love Utah's night sky. "I turned to him and was surprised he had taken off his coat and the shirt he wore snuggled on his body and showed how muscular his body was. When I raised my hands to him, there was a hint of amusement in them as I had been caught admiring his body.

"It's good to relax once in a while "He responded as he placed the cigar on the table.

"I never had the luxury" The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.

"You had a rough childhood," He pointed out.

I never acknowledged or denied it and chose to sip the wine to escape his scrutiny and his raising the topic of my life. We had drunk in silence for a while and soon I felt the buzz of the wine-sipping into my blood and realized I was getting tipsy.

" Chairman Armand, It's time to go home " The brazen words escaped my mouth and I turned to him only to find out that he had removed the little scarf he wore around his neck, unbuttoned the four buttons of his crisp shirt and the shirt armbands on his arms made his arms muscles visible.

"So soon" He responded, and his hazy eyes raked my face and landed on my lips. "The wine bottle is only halfway and I am enjoying your company."

"Chairman Armand, are you drunk? I am an illuminated child of my father, am used to rebuke and insults, and kindness is something foreign to me. "I stood up and walked over to lean on the wall to keep a distance from him.

"Kindness? Trust me Eli, kindness is the last thing I feel towards you" Chairman Armand drawled as his eyes raked over me from head to toe and then he stopped up and walked over towards me.

"Stop" I raised my hands in defense to keep the distance between Chairman Armand and me.

"That, my dear Eli Marks, is a vocabulary that does not exist in my life "He smirked down at me as he moved closer and pressed his body to mine. My hands ended up pressed on his chest as my eyes flashed in anger. I swallowed hard as I felt the sizzling chemistry that brewed between us rise and my bottom lip trembled as a result.

"You are just proving to me what everyone in Utah says about you "I muttered through gritted teeth hoping my crude words would push him away and make him stop advancements.

"Pray tell, what do they say about me, sweet Eli?" He drawled as his head lowered further and his lips were only inches away as our breaths tangled with each other and the scent of wine and a cigar mingled between us.

"That you, Armand James, are a Tyrant. "I blurted out.

"Thank you for the compliment, Eli Marks "He smirked at me and my eyes widened at the realization that he was unfazed by my words, and in the next instant his lips brushed with mine.

Slow at first and then he moved his lips on mine with desperation as he pulled me closer and my hands that were pressed on his chest went around his neck, as our lips danced round each other and our tongues dueled. He pulled me close to him and a lewd moan threatened to escape from my mouth and he swallowed it as he dove in deeper into the kiss. I had no idea how long we kissed and when we came up for air, my eyes slowly opened and I was faced with an out of breath Armand who was staring down at me, with light shining from his eyes.

He swallowed hard and then whispered, "That was my first kiss."

"What?" I stared at him in shock as the words he confessed dawned on me.

"Mmmmh" He responded with a nod. "You taste so good, Eli."

Possessed was the only answer to my action as I raised myself on tiptoe without breaking eye contact and took his bottom lip in my mouth, sucked it, and then my tongue darted out and licked it.

"So do you" My voice rasped in response. I could not believe that this was his first kiss, and he confessed to me that it was. If only he knew that I had no experience and that this was my first kiss too.

"More "Chairman Armand whispered, and our mouths descended on each other and this time the kiss was passionate, lustful, and needed. By the time we broke apart, our breaths came in soft, uneven patterns, and our eyes glued on each other with a knowing look and a silent acknowledgment of the profound moment we had just experienced. The lingering taste and warmth of the kiss left me a memorable impression, echoing the depth of their emotions between us.