Lena's countenance turned sour when Darian mentioned a woman. He didn't fail to notice the scowl that marred her face as she gawked at him.
"Long ago," he added.
She sighed, moving to the left to match his steps.
A smile was back on her face. He loved that she was jealous when she heard that a woman taught him how to dance.
"That day I saw you taking Asher's hands at the anniversary party. I thought you could dance." Darian spun her around for the third time, the voice was drooping and they figured the song was already coming to an end.
"Oh, Asher." She laughed softly. "I was alone and he showed up. Thank God you came at the right time to stop us. I would have stepped on his toes and maybe injured him too." The voice was down now.
"Thank God, I came on time." He pulled her closer when the song ended. "I don't like it when someone else takes your hands. You are mine and mine alone." He said, pressing a long kiss to her forehead.
Lena shut her eyes, different emotions surging through her. She was certain she loved this man, just too much. He was the only one who had that effect on her, he was the only one who could make her heart race erratically when he kissed her.
Only his presence caused butterflies to jump in her tummy and it happened all the time, when he was around and when he was not near. Just the thought of him alone made her senses run amuck. She wondered if he felt that way too.
"Darian," she called in a husky voice.
"Helena," he answered. The crew were gone now, leaving only Darian and Lena in the garden.
She laughed before asking him, "Do you get butterflies too?"
He smiled, still hugging her very tightly. "You make me feel so good, I don't want anyone else but you." He let go of her.
She frowned, that wasn't the answer to the question she asked him.
"I will always protect you, Lena." He said, assuredly.
She looked at him, about to say a word, but he beat her to it.
"Come, let's go back." He loosely gripped her hand, leading her back into the tavern.
They occupied the same table they were seated at before Darian dragged her out.
"Do you want us to drink?" She blinked her eyes cutely.
"Hmm, what's your alcohol limit?" Darian asked her, doubting if she could drink much. He had never seen her take alcohol. She always did fruit juice and water.
"Oh, I am a very heavy drinker." Lena bragged, "Just watch me," she gestured to a waiter. "I will start with two, how many do you want?"
"Just one," Darian scoffed. He ordered a bottle of liqueur while Lena ordered two.
He let her do whatever she wanted to do, but his eyes were on her and that was why he didn't want to take more alcohol that night; he wanted to watch over her if she got drunk.
"Darian, do they do these things here?" Lena downed the third glass of alcohol. "The music, the crew," she drawled, wigging her head as she talked.
He stared at her, studying her every action. She was getting tipsy but she didn't want to stop.
"Tell me, how did you get to know about them?"
"They are around here, you call for their service whenever you need them." He explained to her.
She grabbed a bottle and poured it into the cup. Her vision became blurry and she spilt the whole content on the table.
"Fuck," she slurred. "I missed that," she laughed hysterically. Darian shook his head, she was lying when she told him she could handle her alcohol. "Aww, you called them for me, didn't you?" Lena winked at him, kissing her palm, she placed her hands on Darian's hand. "My husband is not just friggin' cute, he's so romantic too. Am I not so lucky to have him? Mr handsome." She looked around, giggling like a toddler.
"Hey, Lena. Now, it's okay." He stood up and walked to her front.
"No, Darian. I want to drink more." She whined, forcefully grabbing the bottle back from Darian. He didn't let go, his grip was more dominant. She hissed, giving up. "Now, let's go back to the garden and dance our hearts out." She stood straight, staggering to her feet, she fell back on the chair with a thud that made her butt hurt. "Oh my, Darian, where are you?" She cried out.
Dickson and Harrison walked toward them, but Darian assured them he could take care of Lena.
He slithered her arms around his neck and hauled her out of the tavern. He got outside, wishing he came with the car
"Should I get the car?" Dickson asked Darian, bowing his head to show deference.
"No, it's just a twenty minutes walk. I can manage with her." Darian said.
"She's drunk," Harrison said.
"Yes, I will have to carry her on my back. That will make things easier and faster. She obviously can't walk home in this state." Darian bent a little, and Dickson helped Lena balance on his back. She spread her legs around his tummy, giggling as Darian backed her like she was a baby. "Hold onto me." He instructed her. "Can you hear me?"
"Yes, I can, Mr handsome and frigging cute. Tell me, handsome. Where are you taking me, are we going to dance again?" Lena whispered into his ears.
"We are going home," Darian replied in a bored tone.
"Oh, oh, oh." She slapped his back. "You naughty boy! What do you want to do to me at home?"
Dickson and Harrison exchanged a knowing glance as they trailed behind Darian and Lena.
"To lay you on your bed and feed you so much food tomorrow morning. You are so light, do you even eat at all?" Darian shook his head, he was walking so slow because of Lena.
He enjoyed how she whispered in his eyes whenever she wanted to talk.
"Oh, Mr handsome wants to feed me. Isn't he romantic?" Lena yelled.
"Hey, we are outside, stop screaming." He cautioned her. She yelled out again and finally dropped her head on his back, drifting to sleep. "Hey, Lena. Can you hear me now?" He asked her, but there came no response from her.
He figured she was asleep. He smiled satisfactorily, giving himself credits for making her smile tonight.
"Do you want us to help you out, boss?" Harrison asked when Darian stood at a standstill.
"No, I am fine. Very fine," he muttered. "Just be alert and watch the road carefully." He said to them as they continued walking slowly toward his mansion.