After the shower, wrapped in a towel, I looked around the bedroom for my clothes.
"I don't have anything to wear," I said, realizing the problem. "My dress from last night is?—"
"Taken care of." Dez gestured to the bed, where a cream-colored silk pajama set was laid out. "Put that on."
I picked up the fabric, butter-soft and clearly expensive. The set consisted of a camisole with delicate lace trim and matching shorts that hit mid-thigh.
"Where did this come from?"
"I had it delivered." He got dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, looking casually perfect in a way that should be illegal. "Put it on. Trust me."
I dropped the towel and slipped into the pajamas. The silk felt amazing against my clean skin, cool and soft and luxurious.
When I turned around, Dez was staring at me like I'd just walked out of a dream.
"Cream satin looks incredible on you," he said, his voice rough. "The way it contrasts with your skin—Christ, Angelina."
Heat flooded through me at the desire in his voice.
"Come here," he said, holding out his hand.
I crossed to him, and he led me toward the bedroom door.
"Close your eyes," he commanded.
"Why?"
"Because I'm asking you to." His smile was mysterious. "Trust me."
I closed my eyes, my heart starting to race with anticipation. The door opened, and Dez's hand steady on my lower back.
"Okay," he said softly. "Open them."
I opened my eyes and gasped. Rose petals. Hundreds of them, creating a path from the bedroom door across the marble floor. Deep red against white, leading toward the living room.
"Follow them," Dez said from behind me.
I walked forward slowly, my bare feet silent on the petals, aware of him following close behind.
The trail led me around the corner, and—I stopped dead. The living room had been transformed. Balloons in burgundy and gold clustered near the windows. Candles everywhere, on everysurface, creating a warm, flickering glow even in the morning light. And there, on the dining table, arranged like an offering?—
A box of chocolate from Dana’s, a famous chocolatier in the city. Ooh, I knew those were going to be good. A bouquet of mixed roses in red, pink, white, yellow. I was so large and lush it took my breath away. Then there was a card propped against the vase. On the windows, spelled out in roses against the glass?—
Will you be my Valentine?
My hand flew to my mouth. I spun around to face Dez, who was watching me with an expression somewhere between nervous and hopeful.
"You did this?" I whispered. "When? How?"
"Early this morning. Called in some favors." He moved closer. "I wanted to show you?—"
I didn't let him finish. I launched myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him with everything I had. He caught me easily, lifting me off my feet, kissing me back with equal intensity. This man…
Sure, anybody could have done this. But I couldn’t help but wonder if this had anything to do with the admission I’d made to him yesterday. He could’ve shrugged off that yesterday was Valentine’s Day and began our pending relationship off that way. Instead, he’d shown me what was to come, or at least I hoped. It didn’t feel of empty promises and manipulation. It did come off as a response to our discussion and I was choosing to accept it as just that. I was appreciative and I poured all of it into this kiss.
Dez’s hands started at my waist and held me. By the time we were done, he was gripping my ass, and pulling me into him. Hisright hand spanked me quickly, and I moaned my appreciation of that, too.
When we finally broke apart, I was breathing hard and possibly crying.
