I hesitate before I end the call.
“Denver? I also want you to run a check on someone.”
“Sure. What’s the name?”
“Rory,” I reply, running my thumb over the screen of Hallie’s cell in my other hand. “The guy’s name is Rory.”
20
HALLIDAY
“I can’t believe this.”I grip Sterling’s thigh, giving it an excited squeeze as the helicopter does another loop and Lady Liberty comes into view again.
“I wanted a date.” He rests his hand on top of mine, and I grin.
After two full days of house arrest, during which Sterling wouldn't let me do anything except be pampered by him, we're finally here.Having our date.It started with breakfast in one of The Songbird hotel’s stunning restaurants. Then he took me to his friend’s art gallery where I gazed in wonder at a private early showing of Zoey’s fiancé’s work. Then we had a picnic in Central Park, followed by a ride in a rowboat. Then he took me to see the Broadway showing of Aladdin, before taking me for dinner, then finally taking us up in a helicopter to fly over the harbor at sunset.
The only thing tainting it is that I haven’t heard from Sinclair since the hospital, and she won’t return my calls, but Sterling’s said she just needs time and she’ll come around.
“You’ve given me at least seven dates all rolled into one,” I say as I admire the view.
No matter how much I look at her crown, all lit up against the night sky, the glow it brings to my chest never dims. I picture Jenny’s beaming smile as I watch the light flood out from it.
My fingers tingle and a warm buzz blankets my chest as it sparkles like a heavenly glow through the helicopter window. It’s like the universe is constantly pushing me to accept what I’ve known to be true all along.
Sterling Beaufort is meant for me, as I am for him.
“It’s amazing. Thank you,” I breathe, turning to look at him.
Heat smolders in his gaze and his eyes drop to my mouth. “You’re welcome.”
I turn back to the window and fight the desire to pull him to me and get lost in one of his kisses.
We loop Liberty Island twice more and then our pilot takes us back to Sterling’s penthouse building, landing on the roof. Once it’s safe to get off, Sterling exits first, then holds his hand out to me, like getting a ride home by helicopter is completely normal.
I slide my palm into his. He’s a billionaire; riding home in one is probably normal to him.
“It belongs to a friend,” he says, his warm blue eyes twinkling like he’s reading my thoughts. “But if you like it, I’ll get you your own.”
“I’d prefer a jet. Longer range.” I laugh off his joke. Because that’s what it is. It isn’t real. I’m supposed to be leaving.
“Are you tired?” Sterling asks as we step inside his penthouse. He undoes an extra button at the neck of his shirt as we walk into the open living area.
“I’m okay.” I rest one hand on a table so I can take my shoes off.
I’ve quickly become very at home here. And I shouldn’t be. But every time I’ve done something that shows I’m at ease, the resulting light it brings to Sterling’s eyes has only encouraged me more.
I can’t get enough of the way he looks at me. Like he’s trying to decide whether to kiss me slowly, rip my clothes off in a rush, or both.
We slept on the couch together again last night with me curled into his side like I was made to fit there. His kisses haven’t strayed away from my forehead, and he’s been a perfect gentleman since I came out of hospital. But memories of him slamming me against his front door and making me cry out his name have replayed over and over in my head. If they weren’t, then I might think I’d imagined it.
“It’s been a long day and you’re still healing.” Concern fills his gaze as he walks over and stops in front of me.
“I’m fine,” I breathe, tracing the smile lines at the edges of his eyes.
I trail my fingertips over his jaw, loving the way those lines deepen as he leans closer and murmurs my name.
“Hallie.”
