She looked at him over her shoulder. “That was important.”
“So is this.” He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and the movement made his shoulders look broader in the black t-shirt he wore. “Where’s your bag?”
“Right here.” She gestured to the Louis Vuitton duffel he’d insisted on buying when they went shopping last week. It matched his and had her initials embossed in gold. She couldn’t deny that it was a beautiful bag. In fact, everything he’d bought her was nice—the luggage, the clothes for the trip, the new perfume he’d picked out. That wasn’t a coincidence either. She smiled before shaking her head. He was spoiling her, and he didn’t care how she felt about it. Most of the time, he had to convince her to let him take care of her, but he respected her independence. He wanted to be someone she could depend on, too.
“And your laptop?”
She hesitated. Her laptop was sitting right there in its sleeve, practically begging to come along. “I was thinking?—”
“Ken.” He stood and walked up behind her, close enough that she could feel his body heat. His arms wrapped around her, and his chin tucked in the crook of her neck, and she relaxed into him with a sigh. “What did I say about this weekend?”
“That this is my baby moon and a surprise.” Her voice sounded strange, too aware of how his slight erection pressed into her lower back.
“Mmhmm, and what else?”
“That I need to trust you and work is not going to interrupt this trip.”
“So trust me.” His mouth was close to her ear now, his voice dropping even lower. “Leave the laptop. Leave the work. And bring your fine ass with me and let me handle the rest.”
She closed her eyes. His cologne was everywhere—that woody, clean scent that she’d started associating with safety and want all mixed together. “What if something comes up?”
“It won’t.”
“But if it does?—”
He turned her around to face him, and the movement was smooth, natural, like he’d done it a thousand times. His hands stayed on her waist, keeping her close. “Baby. Look at me.”
She did. Those hazel eyes were serious now, no teasing in them.
“I got you. Whatever happens, whatever you think you need to handle, I’ve got it. This weekend is about you getting to rest and celebrating you. You said you were bored, and I’m tryna rectify that. Let me do what I can for you.” His hand came up to cup her face, thumb brushing her cheekbone. “Can you do that for me?”
The way he was looking at her made her feel bad that she was even considering going against this. It also made her think about what her mother said to her. She was going to listen and allow the excitement she felt to come through.
“Yeah,” she whispered. “I can do that.”
“That’s what I like to hear, baby.” He picked up her bag, heading for the door.
“You ready?” he asked from the doorway.
She grabbed her purse, locked her office door, and followed him down the hallway.
“You nervous?” he asked.
“About what?”
“Not knowing where we’re going.”
She thought about it. Months ago, not knowing would’ve driven her crazy. But now? Now she found herself wanting to see where he’d take her. What he’d planned. How he saw her when he imagined what would make her happy.
“No,” she said. “I’m not nervous. I’m excited to get away for a little bit.”
His hand pressed a little harder into her back. “That’s my girl.”
In the car, he didn’t immediately pull out of the parking lot. He sat there, engine running, looking at her. He did this often.
“What?” she asked.
“Nothing. Just looking at you.”
