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One happy tear slipped free before I could stop it.
“I love you too. More than I ever thought I could love anyone.” I covered his hands with mine, still amazed that this dangerous, impossible man was mine. “And you are never leaving me for eleven days again.”
His smile came slowly.
“Not unless you tell me to, Mouse.”
Then he wrapped both arms around me and pulled me against him.
I slid my arms around his middle and rested my head against his chest. Lachlan cradled the back of my head in one hand and pressed me closer, his heart beating steadily beneath my ear.
I closed my eyes and held on to the man I loved.
Chapter forty
By noon on Valentine’s Day, I had been massaged, scrubbed, moisturized, steamed, wrapped in something that smelled faintly of lavender, and informed by a woman with perfect skin that I needed to drink more water.
I had also consumed two glasses of champagne.
It was difficult to decide which part of the experience I liked best.
“This may be the greatest thing rich people ever invented,” I said, sinking deeper into the oversized chair while a technician painted my toenails a pale, glossy pink.
Across from me, Lacey glanced over while a technician massaged lotion into her hands. “Spa days?”
“Being professionally pampered for hours while someone brings you champagne.”
Scarlett stretched her legs beneath the white robe she wore and inspected her freshly painted toenails. “Wait until they bring out lunch. Aria ordered enough food to keep us here until tomorrow.”
“Aria seems frighteningly efficient.”
“She is,” Lacey said. “Give that woman a problem at nine in the morning, and by nine fifteen she’ll have solved it, have three backup solutions, and booked dinner reservations.”
Scarlett laughed. “She also knows every designer in Manhattan and can find a dress in your size before you know you need one.”
I had already experienced that particular talent.
“She’s the reason I had clothes waiting for me the day I came to Manhattan,” I said.
“And half the reason Xyst still functions when the men get distracted by whatever crisis they’ve decided requires guns that week,” Scarlett added.
Lacey tipped her head toward me. “Speaking of distracted men, what did Lachlan plan for tonight?”
“I have no idea. He told me to buy a pretty dress for dinner, handed me his Black Card, and refused to answer another question.”
Scarlett groaned appreciatively. “I love that card.”
“I’m still not convinced it’s real. I bought a dress this week that cost more than some people’s cars, and the woman at the boutique barely blinked when she ran it,” Isabella said.
“Neither will Lachlan,” Lacey added.
“I know. That may be the strangest part.”
Lacey laughed. “You’ll get used to it.”
“I’m not sure I want to.”
“Yes, you do.”
