“Just gone seven. Can I take you out for dinner?”
“Sounds great,” I reply. “Wait, don’t you have a concert tonight?”
“No. We fly out to Germany in the morning. Our next show’s tomorrow night after a few more damn interviews.”
“Okay, that sounds amazing. Let’s have an awesome date night, and then we can get back into the swing of things tomorrow.”
His eyes bulge, and his mouth opens slightly like he’s in shock.
I furrow my brow in concern. “What?”
“No, nothing. I just realized how much of a douchebag I am. Tonight will be our first official date. That’s unacceptable.”
“You’re not a douchebag, you’re just busy. And I get that. I really do. But it’ll be nice to have our first date with no groupies, band members, or agents… justus.”
Colt grins as he rises from the bed, taking me with him effortlessly. I giggle at his strength, and he presses a quick kiss to my cheek before striding over to the luggage.
Grabbing my short black dress from last night, he scrunches it up in his fist, then methodically pulls every other piece of clothing from my suitcase. With deliberate intent, he shoves the dress to the very bottom, piling everything else on top of it like he’s burying evidence.
I blink at him, confused. “I thought you liked that dress?”
“Oh, baby, Ilooovethat dress,” he drawls, his voice dark with meaning. “But if you ever go out in public wearing something that short again, I’ll drag you home and spank you so hard you won’t be able to see straight, let alone sit.” His eyes lock onto mine, one brow arching, his head tilted, completely serious. “That dress is forme… onlyme. No one else gets to see you in it. You got me?”
My possessive, jealous man has officially entered the building.
I nod, keeping my expression neutral, even though inside I’m grinning like an idiot.
“I got you.”
“The way Coslecki was manhandling you… I can’t ever witness anything like that again, Dee.” His voice is low, tight, and laced with something raw and unshakable.
I step forward, placing my hands on either side of his face, forcing him to look at me. His jaw is tense beneath my fingertips, his eyes dark with lingering frustration.
“I won’t ever let that happen again,” I vow, my voice steady, certain. “The dress is for your eyes only. I promise.”
“Thank you,” he says, caressing my cheek.
Satisfied, I pick up my jeans and a tank top, ready to put the night in front of us. “An evening with you is just what I need. I love you, Colt, and nothing will change that fact.”
After dressing, we make our way downstairs to the stretch Hummer, and Colt takes my hand, leading me inside.
Curious, I ask, “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise,” he replies, pulling me into his lap.
I can’t help but get a little excited.
Our first real date, and in Paris, no less.
We pull up to the curb near the Eiffel Tower, its breathtaking structure looming above us. As the car door opens, I shift off Colt’s lap, glancing around for any clue as to what’s happening. But he only smirks, stepping out first before turning back, extending his hand toward me.
I take it, slipping my fingers into his as I step out of the car. The moment I look up, I’m momentarily lost in awe. The tower is massive—more stunning in person than I ever imagined.
Still, Colt says nothing. Instead, he walks with me, hand in hand, leading me toward a small, sectioned-off area tucked beneath the iron masterpiece. My breath catches as my gaze lands on a table set for two, candlelight flickering gently in the evening breeze.
I’m speechless.
A slow, unstoppable smile spreads across my face as he guides me forward.
