“Jeff, stop. I see the fucking wheels turning in your head, dude. It’ll be fine. Trust me. ”
“Yeah, take it slow…it’s her night…. not about me. Holy shit Gunner. What if I hurt her? Do you know how long I’ve waited to be with this girl? What if I turn into a crazy man? Oh shit, maybe I should have waited longer. What if she’s not ready?”
“Jesus, Jeff. You know that she’s ready. She’s more than ready. I think if you wait any longer, she’s going to be the one to attack you. You won’t go crazy. I’m not going to lie though. It’ll be fucking hard to take it slow. ”
“Fuck Gunner! You just gave me a damn visual. What did I say about that? I’m done talking to you. ”
I turned and walked over to Ari and Ellie. I leaned down and kissed Ellie good night and told her that I loved her. While Ellie and Ari hugged and said their good-byes, Gunner handed me the key to the hotel room I’d booked.
I grabbed Ari’s hand and started walking towards the stairs.
“Wait, where are we going, Jeff? I’m so ready to just go home and get out of this dress. ”
I stopped and turned her to face me. She had questioning look on her face.
I leaned close to ear and said very softly and slowly, “I need to show you your surprise, baby. ”
Ari’s head snapped up, and she looked into my eyes. For a second, she looked scared. Then her eyes immediately softened, and she smiled.
She turned away and walked over to the stairs and started to head up them at a rather fast pace. I had to let out a laugh. Goddamn, I love this girl.
I slipped the room key throu
gh the slider and looked over at Ari who looked like I felt, sick to my stomach. I should have come up to the room first to make sure everything was okay.
“Jesus H. Christ, Jeff, just open the door!” Ari said stomping her foot.
Yep, I loved this girl. I was pretty sure that I was going to die and go to heaven tonight.
I opened the door, and Ari just about pushed me out of the way as she made her way into the room. She stopped dead in her tracks and let out a gasp. The room was filled with LED candles everywhere and Roses were covering every possible surface. The bed had petals spread all over it with one single red rose lying across the pillows.
Next to the bed was a huge plate of chocolate-covered strawberries and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne, Ari’s favorite.
Yep, Jenny was worth every damn dime I paid. Gunner was now forgiven.
Ari turned and looked at me.
Oh shit. Tears were running down her face. I walked over to her and wiped them away as I leaned down and kissed her.
“I love you, Ari. I love you more than anything in this world, baby. ”
“Jeff…. I don’t. I don’t even know what to say! It’s so beautiful. It’s…. it’s perfect!”
Our room was on the historical side of the hotel facing 6th Street. Ari walked over to the balcony doors, threw them open and walked outside. I could hear music coming from a bar not far away. The song sounded like it was “Dirty Dancer” by Enrique Iglesias. I smiled when her hips started moving to the beat. Damn, the girl loves to dance.
I took off my tie and jacket, set them on a nearby chair, and made my way out to her. I wrapped my arms around her and felt her moving her hips as she pressed into me. Fuck me! Please don’t let me lose it like a damn sixteen year old boy.
As I moved my hips with hers, she threw her head back up against me and let out a small moan. I about lost it right then and there.
“Jeff?”
“Yeah, baby?”
“I’m scared. ”
Holy shit. I just about dropped to my knees. I’d never in the 9 years I’d known Ari, ever heard her utter those words. She was the strongest person I knew.
Gunner’s words came back into my head. Be honest, Jeff. Be real.