When I get my breathing under control, I can finally speak. “How, why?”
He leans back, and when he knows I’ll hold on, he lets go to hold my face in his palms. “The second I knew I’d disappointed you, I want to prove that you’re worth more than being a secret.”
A warm glow flows through my body while hope blooms.This is more…it has to be.
Then something comes to mind. “You didn’t know we were leaving early, though.”
“Lauren is a miracle worker. Robert helped, too.”
I freeze.Who the hell is Lauren?
“Lauren is my assistant, Jules. She has connections all over the city and helped execute my plan.”
I cringe. “Did I say that out loud?”
He kisses the tip of my nose. “No, my beautiful, jealous girl. But it was written all over your face.”
“Oh…” Crazy thoughts start to circulate. Like, what does she look like?
I need to get a grip on this newfound jealousy and quickly. It’s not a good look.
He walks us over to the table. “The fireworks start soon. Let’s eat first so we can enjoy the show.” He pats my behind, so I unlock my legs, and then he gently puts me on the ground, on the other side of the candles.
He looks down, narrowing his eyes. “What’s wrong with your leg?”
“God, do you miss anything?” I huff. “It’s just sore from a long day on it.”
He bends to rub his hand up and down the side of my leg. “I’ll massage you later. Do you need a painkiller?”
“No, it’s only a little sore. I’m okay for now.” I pat his cheek affectionately. He’s a pain in my butt sometimes, but at least he cares.
He pulls out my chair for me to sit and refills our glasses. “What a gentleman.” I smirk. “Thank you.”
“Bon appétit.”
He sits down, then leans over and picks both silver lids off our plates simultaneously, pulling a gasp right from my chest.
Blinking slowly, I adjust my sight to ensure I see this right.
Oh, Harrison Davenport, what are you doing to me?
I shake my head in disbelief, then push back my chair and round the table. I pick up my gown and straddle him so we’re face to face, then kiss him tenderly. “Our dinner is hot dogs,” I whisper with tears in my eyes.
He reaches up and traces the pad of his thumb along my cheekbone. “It’s what you’ve always wanted.”
I stare at him with an expectant look. “So you got me hot dogs and champagne?”
“Yes,” he replies, not elaborating, but his steady eye contact and emotion-rich voice speak volumes.
I steeple my hands and press my fingers to my lips, wondering how I got so lucky. Never once would I have thought the older, dominant man in front of me would have turned out to be the one I’m falling madly in love with.
Or maybe I did because from the first night I saw him across the bar, he had me completely enamored before even speaking two words to each other.
Earlier, I thought my heart was playing tricks on me, but maybe it’s just been as confused as I’ve been.
After all, my heart’s never felt love like this before.
“Are you going to eat on my lap, baby?”
