“Mm?” He turns to look at me with his brows raised.
“Can I take you out to celebrate?” I ask, my entire body sparking with excitement and anxiety.
It’s not a date. It’s just celebrating something really great that’s happening.
“That sounds like an excellent idea. I would love to celebrate with you,” he smiles broadly, his face lighting up at the idea. I remind myself again that it’s not a date. But the butterflies in my stomach have a mind of their own as they flutter about wildly.
Chapter 17 - Josiah
She’s wearing a silk pink dress. It’s long, flowing down to the floor, but there is a very tantalizing slit all the way up her thigh. Each step she takes as she walks down the stairs is a tease.
I try my best not to stare, but it’s impossible.
She reaches the bottom of the stairs and leans forward to adjust the silver buckle of her stiletto.
One of the thin straps over her shoulders slips down. When she stands up, I reach out and slowly pull it back up onto her shoulder, letting my hand linger against her skin.
“You look gorgeous,” I say with a smile.
“Thank you, so do you,” she grins, eyeing me up and down, taking in the black pants, white shirt, and black leather suspenders I’m wearing.
Her compliment brings a wider smile to my face.
I hold out my hand, letting her slip her arm through mine. “Are the twins settled now? They were very hyped up when I went to say goodnight to them.” I chuckle, remembering Stella looking like she was on the verge of snapping at them.
“Gosh, they really were hyper today. The whole day. I don’t know what’s gotten into them. But Stella has it under control now. She’s reading them their favorite story.”
“She’s amazing with them,” I remark as I push the front door open for Kayla.
“I adore her. So do the girls. We got really lucky to find someone like her,” she agrees.
Kayla is sitting in the passenger seat of my car. I am trying desperately to keep my eyes on the road, but her dress hasfallen open right up to the top of the slit, and she doesn’t seem bothered by it at all. Her long legs are fully on display, perfectly shaped, elegant, and looking smooth and silky. I keep wanting to reach over and put my hand on her skin. To let the heat from her body soak into me.
“The city looks beautiful tonight,” she remarks, enjoying the colorful lights as we drive past.
“The restaurant you chose for our celebration dinner has some of the best views.”
“Oh, good. I asked them for a table near the window,” she says. “I chose it because the review site I was looking at said they had the best steaks in Chicago, and I’ve been craving steak,” she tells me.
“Fantastic. I haven’t had a good steak in a while! Maybe we should order a lobster, too. Mix it up a little.”
“Mm. That sounds good. Gosh, I’m hungry!”
I chuckle, enjoying the back and forth. It’s strange how I have so little patience for some people, but her, I have everything in the world for her. I could listen to her talk about anything for hours, and I’d enjoy every minute of it.
“Oh, are we here?” she says excitedly when I park outside a tall building.
“It’s right on the top floor,” I tell her, climbing out and opening her door for her. “Look up. You see that slanted glass window?”
“Mm,” she nods, leaning on me a little to keep her balance.
“That whole top piece rotates,” I grin.
“It doesn’t!” she says, shocked. “How did I not know that? I’m the one who booked it!”
I laugh at the expression on her face, the charisma in her smile as she shakes her head at herself.
“I hope I don’t get dizzy while I’m trying to eat.”
