“I didn’t know Tesla makes a cheap model.”
It wasn’t cheap, but it was within her budget, and it’s good for the environment, not to mention the tax rebate. “It was the affordable model,” she corrected. “Where’s your—” She didn’t need to finish her question. The bright red Ferrari couldn’t belong to anyone else.“Niiice.”She stretched out the word to emphasize its beauty.
“Thanks. I’ve had it for a while.”
She almost laughed at his casual answer, but, instead, she cocked her head and asked, “Is Robert Blade, one of the biggest names in the NFL, driving last year’s model?” She tutted. “How do you show your face?”
He hung his head. “I’m ashamed.”
“Where are we going for dinner?”
“Wherever you want. Think about it on your way home. I’ll follow you. How far is it?”
“About 20 minutes. I live in Mahwah.”
“OK.” When they reached her car, he hesitated and stood there without making a move to head toward his vehicle.
She knew he wanted to kiss her. It’s all she thought about since she returned from lunch. But kissing him in the parking lot behind her practice was too risky.
“Allow me.” He opened the driver’s door for her, and she stared at him with disbelief.
“Are you for real?”
“What do you mean?”
She let out a happy sigh as she slid behind the wheel. “Never mind.”
He shut the door, flashed a smile, gave her a short wave, and jogged over to his vehicle.
As she drove home, she kept looking in her rearview mirror at the gorgeous Ferrari following her. He knew she was looking at him, and he gave her the thumbs up. The next time she checked, he blew her a kiss.
A few minutes later, she pulled into her spot at her condominium complex, and Robert parked in the empty space next to her. The moment she stepped out of her car, he pulled her into his arms, and a kiss fell onto her lips with impatience. Her nerve endings came alive in an instant and made her body hum.
“I’ve been waiting to do that since lunchtime,” he said in a breathy voice with a dreamy expression on his face.
Lost in a heady fog, she could barely speak. “Me too.”
He kissed her again, cupping her cheeks and breathing heavily.
Her body started to overheat, even though the chilly fall breeze stung her cheeks. “I think we better go,” she managed to say.
“Are you sure?”
“No.”
“You don’t want to go to dinner?”
“Would you mind if I changed first? I’ve been wearing this skirt suit since 7:30 this morning.” She pulled her glasses off her face. “And I want to put in my contacts and let my hair out.”
“I love the way you look, but, sure, if you want to change.”
“Thanks. I’ll be quick.” She looped her arm through his, since that seemed to be their thing, and escorted him to her apartment.
After she dropped their coats on one of the high-back stools in the kitchen, Robert eyed the open floor plan that offered full view of the dining and living rooms. “Your place is beautiful,” he said. “Did you have a professional decorator?”
“Yes. Hope, my best friend, is an interior decorator. It was my housewarming gift from her.”
Robert spun around and brought his hand to his chest. “My mother hired an interior decorator as a housewarming gift for me when I bought my place. She did the same for my brother when he got his first apartment when he was in college.”
