26
ZEKE
At the endof the week, I met Fiona at her desk as she was finishing for the day and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek.
“I’ve got a surprise for you,” I announced.
She glanced at my crotch and smirked. “Hardly a surprise.”
I put my hand to my chest, affecting a wounded expression. “I’m hurt. I’m not just a one-trick pony. Although, it’s a good trick, right?”
“It’s a fabulous trick.” Her smile became mischievous. “Best trick I’ve ever seen.”
“And it’ll stay that way.” I wasn’t afraid to indulge my possessive side when it came to Fiona. It was strange, I’d never known how many caveman-like tendencies I had until I kissed her for the first time. Now, I’d cheerfully disappear anyone who had the gall to look at her sideways.
“So, what’s the surprise?” she asked, slinging her handbag over her shoulder.
“We’re going on a date.”
“We are?” Her eyebrow arched. We’d hardly left her apartment over the past few days, except to work. That was in part because we couldn’t keep our hands off each other, but it had also given her the chance to recuperate after our run-in with her ex and the subsequent shit show with the police.
“Yes,” I confirmed, taking her hand. “I can’t let you forget that we are, in fact, dating.” I smiled at her as we headed toward the exit together. “As in, you’re mine, I’m yours, and I can whisk you away on romantic dates on a whim.”
“As long as those romantic dates are romantic by both of our standards,” she warned, narrowing her eyes at me.
My lips twitched. “You’re so suspicious, honey muffin. I promise you’ll like it.”
At least, I hoped she would. There was a chance I was overstepping, but if she gave the slightest indication that was the case, I’d back off. All I wanted was for her to be happy. Well, and for her to be with me.
I stopped near the exit and released her hand so I could sift through my bag. I pulled out a pair of yoga pants, a tank top, and an old sweater.
“Change into these,” I said, gesturing at the bathrooms to the right of the door.
She frowned. “You want me to wear this on a date?”
“Yeah.” I nodded, giving nothing away.
She studied my face for a long moment, then took them and vanished into the bathroom. When she emerged, her dress was folded neatly over her arm and she’d let her hair out, so it now fell loosely around her face. The air punched out of me. God, she was gorgeous. Dressed up or down, smiling or scowling, tired or refreshed, Fiona stole my breath.
“What now?” she asked.
I led her to my car and drove us to a small studio not far from her apartment. She looked around with interest as I escorted her to the entrance. I knocked and waited. The door opened a few seconds later.
“Hello!” A petite blonde beamed at us. She opened the door wider and stepped backward. “Come in. Are you ready to have some fun?”
“Yes,” Fiona said hesitantly.
“She doesn’t know what we’re doing yet,” I explained to the blonde, Anna. “It’s a surprise.”
“Oh! How lovely.” If possible, her smile widened as she focused on Fiona. “Your man has booked a romantic couples wine and painting night. I have a lovely bouquet of flowers set up for you to paint, and there’s several different wines for you to sample, as well as a charcuterie board to snack on. I usually do a short demonstration at the beginning of the evening, but Zeke assures me you won’t need any help from me, so I’ll just show you around and get out of your way. You’ll have the room to yourselves until eight.”
Fiona’s eyes widened and she turned to me. “We’re painting?”
“If you’d like to.” My stomach tightened, and I tried to hide my nerves. “We don’t have to if you’d rather not, but you’re so talented and it seems such a shame that you don’t do something you used to love.”
She hesitated, nibbling on her lower lip. For a moment, I thought she might tell me I’d butted into something that was none of my business, but then her expression eased and she gave me a soft smile.
“You’re right,” she said. “I miss painting, and I shouldn’t let Bergen take it away from me.”
