It didn’t sound as bad when she put it that way. His scotch arrived at his elbow and he thanked the waitress as she set Luna’s wine glass down. He gave her a minute to taste the wine and approve it, pleased that she’d chosen something without relying on his input.
“Okay, but we are constantly in public together as it is.”
“There was speculation years ago that I was a gold digger, if I remember correctly.” She raised a brow. “I want to avoid that happening again.”
“I set them straight, Luna. The press that does bother with me knows you’re my dearest friend.” He struggled with her need for anonymity. It was years too late for what she suggested.
“And we’re going to leave it at that, at least for now.”
“Why?”
“I told you already—”
“No,” he interrupted. “You’re going to have to give me more than that. You’ve been photographed by my side for years.”
Tears formed in her eyes and she swallowed. “If we can just keep down any public displays of affection, and not make any huge announcement, I’d feel more comfortable.”
“That’s what you need to be with me?” He would give her anything, she had to know that by now, but pictures of the two of them seemed so . . . innocuous.
“Yes.” She gripped his hand so hard he winced. “Please. I don’t want anything else but you and me.”
Davis leaned in and kissed her temple, pleased that she didn’t pull back. “Baby, I’ll give you this on the condition that it’s not for long. You have until Christmas to come to terms with the fact that we’re together. Whatever else is going on inside your mind has that long to settle in, and then we’re telling everyone.”
“I know you waited so long for me, and I can only say thank you for not running far and fast when you had the chance.”
“I’ve already told you there’s no way you could lose me.”
“I love you,” she whispered.
He gave her a wolfish grin. “That you do.”
It was enough for the moment that she was with him, that she had agreed to spend the weekend with him. She had strange conditions, but they were minor. She had until Christmas, and then he would shout it from the rooftops. Luna Moss would be his wife soon after the new year.
