“I was tempted to throw my panties at you, but I figured you might frown upon that,” she added with a smirk.“And anyway, I’ve heard that happens to you on the regular.”
“Not on the regular.”I grimaced, though the truth was that it did happen.“And your panties are the only ones I’m interested in.”
“I know.Don’t worry about me, honey.I know you’re mine.”
“Always.”I raised her hand to my mouth, kissing her knuckles.“I suppose I’m lucky you’re not the jealous type.I know for a fact that if the situation were reversed, I wouldn’t be able to say the same.”
She snorted affectionately.“No, baby, you most definitely would not.And I’d never given it much thought.”She shrugged, seeming to ponder it for the first time.“With Josh, I was so apathetic that I just didn’t care enough to be jealous.And with you, you make me feel so safe, so secure—I know I’m all you see.”
I pulled her in for a deep kiss.“From the first moment I saw you,” I rumbled in her ear.“You up for a surprise after you’re done shopping?”
Her gorgeous eyes lit up.“Always.”
And not for the first time, I couldn’t imagine keeping this woman in the shadows where she’d been shrouded for the majority of her life.She was so full of light, so ready for adventure and open to whatever the day might bring.And while I couldn’t take credit for all that was Lucy, and wouldn’t dream of trying, I’d be damned if I didn’t play a part in ensuring she was always in the light.
“You okay there, champ?She’s only been gone a few hours.”Davis chuckled as we debriefed backstage after our final sound check.“You have it bad, my friend.”
“I know,” I grumbled petulantly.I wanted Lucy to enjoy herself, but I couldn’t deny that I preferred her close.
She’d taken the car, with Liz in tow, to hopefully go spend a lot of money.
What felt like an eternity later, Lucy walked in with Liz, one of her gorgeous smiles aimed at me.I felt like I took my first deep breath in hours.
“How was the rest of sound check?”she asked as she stepped into my arms, and I delivered a kiss to her beautiful lips.
“Good.We’re ready.I also debriefed with Garrett.You’ll be side-stage when I’m on tomorrow.I want to make sure I can see you,” I reiterated.“Our security here is ironclad, but sometimes things can take you by surprise.”
“Panties?”She raised a brow, making Davis howl in amusement.
“Oh, dude, she so has your number.”Joe chuckled.
“There haven’t been that many underwear incidents,” I protested with a huff.
“Clearly enough to be worth mentioning,” she teased.
“How was shopping?”I wanted to change the subject, but I was also genuinely curious.I pressed my forehead to hers, my hands spanning her hips.
“Total success.”She grinned as she rose up on her tiptoes to whisper in my ear.“I even got a few things for your eyes only.”
I groaned in response, all too eager to get her alone, but that would have to wait.
“Can’t wait, baby, but I’ve got other plans for us first.You ready to head out?”
She nodded, her expression curious but eager.After bidding farewell to the others, I took her hand and, flanked by Garrett and Liz, we headed for the car.
“Okay, now can I know what we’re doing?”she asked impatiently as we pulled to the curb of a restaurant in the East Village.
“I wanted to take you out, but I also wanted our privacy, so I arranged for us to do a private cooking class.”
Her eyes lit up with excitement.
“You’re an amazing cook already, but I thought you’d enjoy learning some new tips and tricks.”I smiled as she practically bounced in her seat.“I also asked if the chef could teach me how to make you a decent cup of coffee.”I winced, remembering some of my failed attempts.
She leaned over, kissing me soundly.“This is a great idea, honey.And I don’t mind making you coffee for the rest of our days,” she murmured against our lips.
It was a good thing too.While Lucy clearly took to the lesson with ease, I still managed to burn the espresso.
Chapter 21
