“We need to talk about something else if I’m going to have any hope of getting you safely home.” He lifted our hands and moved them to the center console with a reluctant sigh.
I giggled and shook my head. “Sorry, but I can’t think of anything else after what happened today.”
“It’s a damn good thing I live so close to the office,” he grumbled, making me laugh even harder.
It really was lucky, though. Because those ten minutes felt like an hour, and I was desperate to get inside by the time he pulled into the parking garage. Sensing my impatience, he murmured, “Wait for me,” before getting out of the car.
I had my seat belt off and was perched on the edge of my seat by the time he opened the door. My inner walls clenched at his satisfied smirk, and a shiver raced down my spine as I slid my palm against his. I gripped his hand tightly while we walked toward the elevator.
When he slid his key card into the slot to send us upward, I giggled. “The penthouse, huh?”
“What’s the point in working so hard if I can’t have the best that life offers?” My lips curled down at the reminder that he put in as many hours as my dad, maybe even more. Pressing his finger under my chin, he tilted my head back. “That was before you were in my life, Isabella. Now that I’ve found you, I’ll set things in motion so I can reduce my hours in the office and spend more time at home.”
“Really?” I whispered, staring up at him in awe. I knew my dad loved my mom and me, but work had always been a priority for him. My mom didn’t seem to mind, but I had always hoped that when I got married, it would be to a man who’d spend every day showing our children and me how important we were to him.
His thumb glided across my cheek. “I already have some ideas for how I’m going to make it happen. I won’t be asking you to wait for long before I make those changes.”
I threw my arms around his neck and stretched up on my toes to press my lips against his. “Thank you.”
His hand tangled in my ponytail, wrapping my hair around his fist so he could quickly take control of the kiss. When I gasped, he took full advantage, his tongue sliding inside to tangle with mine. Even as quickly as the elevator moved, I was breathless when we reached the top floor, and the door slid open directly into his apartment.
I barely had the chance to take in the entryway with its vaulted ceiling before he was tugging me through the living room and into the dining room. My voice was wry when I murmured, “From what I saw of the place, it’s nice.”
“I’ll give you a tour after I’ve fed you.” The sexy smirk he flashed me would’ve drenched the white cotton panties that had been in the bag with my dress—and made me wonder what he’d told Lola. “If I get you near a bed before we eat, we’ll never have dinner, and you’re going to need the energy for what I plan to do to you.”
My gaze darted toward the table, where a vase of pink roses was between two candleholders. There were two place settings with silver domes over the plates and an ice bucket with a bottle of sparkling juice. And music played low in the background, something romantic and instrumental. “Then I guess it’s a good thing you planned ahead.”
“Since this is technically our first date, I figured I should go all out.” He guided me over to a chair and grabbed the bottle of juice to pour a glass for each of us.
“I love sparkling white grape juice, but I wouldn’t have minded champagne.” I flashed him a teasing grin as he sat down across from me. “And it wouldn’t even be the first time I’ve had it. My mom loves the Veuve Clicquot Vintage Brut and lets me have a glass whenever she opens a bottle.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, but for tonight, I want you to be clear-headed so you know exactly what you’re getting into with me.” He reached over and lifted the silver dome off my plate before doing the same with his.
Looking down, I gasped when I saw one of my all-time favorite meals—chicken cordon bleu with wild rice and green beans. “How did you know I love this?”
“I have my ways.”
My eyes narrowed at his non-answer. “My lunch was exactly what I would have ordered for myself, too.”
He nodded. “Mm-hmm, I know.”
I laughed softly and shook my head. Even without an actual admission, I knew my earlier guess was accurate—he’d been responsible for picking out my lunch. “You seem very familiar with what I like.”
“I learned in law school how vital it was to be prepared. I’d never put it to use for anything personal before now, but I spent a bit of time on your social media over the weekend. It came in handy for me, but you share too much of yourself with the world, which is something we’ll have to talk about later, too.” He picked up his silverware and pointed his fork at me. “Now, finish your dinner so I can take you on a tour of this place that’ll end with you in my bed, right where you belong.”
With motivation like that, I ate faster than I ever had before.
7
Beau
Seeing the wonder on Isabella’s face as I held her hand and guided her through my penthouse apartment made me smile. She found joy in simple things, and I loved that about her. My life had been plain, gray, steady…Isabella brought sunshine with her, flooding my world with color.
“Your place is so beautiful,” she breathed.
“Our place,” I corrected.
I took her from room to room, trying not to throw her over my shoulder and race up the stairs to fuck her like a horny teenager. Besides, this was her home now, too.