“Sure,” Bobby says carefully. “I’ll have a laptop on your bed when you get home.”
“Great.”
He flashes me a smile. “We’re going on a date tomorrow by the way. Nice and early. You’ll have to wear sneakers and jeans.”
“Oh.” I glance at Eli, who smiles benignly. “You’re not worried are you,bella? I told you we intend to share you.”
The way he purrs the word ‘share’ makes my face heat. “I, um, whatever you think. I don’t mind.”
Eli gives me a slow look up and down. “I’m glad to hear it, but that’s tomorrow. Right now, Bobby has to leave.”
I watch as my former math tutor crams the last of his things into his bag and exits without another word. Why are the guys all being so calm and respectful? And why will I need to wear sneakers on a date with Bobby? I don’t know if I have any. My entire East Wing wardrobe seems to be high heels and tiny dresses.
Eli extends a hand to me. He’s wearing a navy suit and a blindingly white shirt. It makes his amber eyes so intense it’s hard to look at them. I place my hand in his and tingles shoot up my arm. I decide whatever happens tonight, I’m going to pretend this isn’t a trick and Eli Morelli really does want me. That all of this is real.
Eli weaves his fingers through mine and steers me toward the entrance hall. “You look perfect, Miss Whitehall.”
“Thanks. Do you… do you pick out all the clothes in my room?”
He gives me a small smile. “No.”
“But you seem to like everything I wear, and it all fits me so well…?”
“That’s because I gave your measurements to some girls I know at Saks,” he says promptly. “They’re more than happy to spend my money.”
“Oh.”
I don’t know why I’m so disappointed. I’m sure Eli doesn’t have time to pick out dresses. But if he did, it would seem like he was thinking of me. Now it just seems like he’s sleeping with the staff at Saks.
I see a liquid black limousine parked in the circular driveway. “Are we…?”
“Of course,” Eli says.
I move to the passenger door, but he puts a hand on my waist. “One moment.”
I wait as the chauffeur gets out from the driver’s side, tips his hat to Eli, then opens the passenger door for us. As we settle into our seats, Eli catches my eye. “You think I’m too formal, don’t you,bella?”
“No,” I lie.
“It’s fine. You’re not thinking anything Doc hasn’t told me.” He gives me a smile that makes my insides twirl.
“Do you know what a hedonist is?” Eli asks.
“Not really.”
“It means I like luxurious things and I make no excuses for that. It’s what drew me to you.”
“Me?” I ask, confused. I’ve been described as a lot of things, but never ‘luxurious.’
“Yes.” Eli studies me. “Beauty is everywhere, but it’s rare to discover something flawless. Something that grows even more fascinating the longer you’re in its presence.”
My mind whirls. Does he mean me or is he just being charming? Eli draws a bottle of wine from a nearby ice bucket. “Champagne?”
“Yes, please.”
I watch as he expertly peels off the foil and extracts the cork, pouring us glasses of sparkling wine. He hands me a delicate flute then taps his glass to mine. “To your freedom,bella.”
I sip the champagne. It fizzes in my throat like melted gold and as warmth spreads in my belly I feel something close to euphoria. Once upon a time, all I hoped was that Mr. Parker would be nice to me. Now, I’m in a limousine with the most handsome man I’ve ever seen, who I think just calledme‘flawless.’
