“All right, big guy.” I meet his eyes, but he’s still playing coy. “What do you have in store for us?”
“Well, I wouldn’t want the anniversary of your daring escape to go by without fanfare.”
I laugh. “Is that right?”
He moves in close, bringing his hands to my hips. “Yeah, that’s right.”
“Mmm. It just so happens I have a surprise for you too on this very special anniversary.” I run my fingers over his muscular chest, and he bends to give me a kiss.
“Oh yeah?”
“Mm-hmm. But you’re gonna have to wait until later.”
He raises his eyebrows, then he whispers, “I like the sound of that.”
Uh-huh.
While he’s not wrong in assuming sex is happening tonight, I’ve got a little something else I’ve been dying to show him.
I pack up my things, and we’re almost to the limo when my new creative director, Lisa, stops me. She’s one of Garrett’speople, and I adore her. She’s direct and incredibly talented. It’s impressive what she’s been able to do with the set and the visuals in a matter of months, but more importantly, she treats me like a real person. Not a commodity.
“Harper, I just heard Marla Deans is in town.” Marla is one of the world’s top music video directors. She’s a friend of Garrett’s, and she’s helped us put together some promotional shorts. “Would you like me to set up a couple of hours with her tomorrow morning?”
“Thanks so much, but Chase and I are sleeping in tomorrow.” I give him a wink, and he grins.
“Oh my gosh, I forgot you guys are celebrating!” She shoots me a wide smile. “You lovebirds go have fun. We don’t have any projects in the works anyway, so we’ll catch her next time around.”
“Thanks, Lisa.” I give her hand a squeeze, and she smiles.
“You bet! Have a great night, and I’ll let folks know you’ll be in later tomorrow.”
“You’re the best.” I walk backward toward the car, blowing her a kiss.
How things have changed.
When we reach the hotel, I’m expecting to get dressed and sneak out somewhere fancy like we sometimes do now, but when I step into our penthouse suite, there’s a spread of fresh ingredients on the kitchen island.
A note on the counter says, “Enjoy,” Melody’s signature heart scrawled beneath it.
“Ahh, I see what you two did here.”
Chase moves in behind me, shifting my hair to one side, then kissing the back of my neck. “You get cleaned up, and I’ll get to work in here.”
“What? I’m not letting you cook this entire meal on your own. I have serious skills in the kitchen now. They can be put to good use.”
It’s true. The man can cook, and little by little he’s been training me. I’m catching on, and I love cooking with Chase—slowing down and taking the time to nourish our bodies. We don’t always have access to a kitchen on tour, but when we do, we make the most of it. It’s one more way he’s brought balance to my life.
He spins me around, planting a kiss on my lips. “Nope. Tonight’s my treat.”
I pout in fun. “OK.” I pluck a strawberry from a tiny white bowl in the center of the counter. “But save that pineapple.” I point. “I’m cutting that.”
“Oh really? You think you’re up to the challenge?”
“Hah! I know I am.”
How hard can it be?
I take a shower, then give my hair a quick refresh before pulling on the sleek two-piece dress I bought as part of my surprise for Chase. It’s elegant—the satin fabric is a deep forest green that sets off the red tones in my hair perfectly. But it’s also easy to move in. He doesn’t know it yet, but I’m gonna be throwing down some serious dance moves tonight.
