He turned as she entered, lips curling at the corners as he slowly took her in. “Don’t you look ravishing.”
“That’s exactly what you said to me outside Minh’s club, the night of our first ‘date.’”
“Did I? But that one had been just a cover, as fun as it turned out to be. Perhaps this one is really our first.”
Cally offered him a smile. “I’ll go along with that. Where are you taking me?”
He guided her to the front door. “I planned a few options. It depended on what you wore. A walk around the reservoir, a tour of the city’s rooftops, or something more classic.”
Cally gestured at the black cocktail dress Eve had somehow procured, now feeling like she should’ve insisted on skinny jeans and a sweater against the cold. “I can change in moments.”
“No need. We’ll go with plan C.”
A Ferrari waited outside, though the look of irritation Antoine threw the bright red car suggested it wasn’t his choice.
“Didn’t Noah bring your Audi back this afternoon?”
“He did, but Marcel confiscated it.” Antoine held the door for her. “Apparently, it was somewhat worse for wear after its stay in the impound. Marcel hired this for the evening.”
Cally sat carefully, knees together. The hem was higher than she’d have liked.I shouldn’t have let Eve have her way.But Eve had been adamant that it wasn’t about dressing up for him, morereminding him who he had almost lost. Strong, gorgeous, untouchable, and just dangerous enough—her words.
Antoine strode around to the other side, and watching him move held its own pleasure. He flung their coats on the back shelf as he entered. “Marcel doesn’t know they make cars with more than two seats.”
“Perhaps he thinks it suits your image.”
Antoine looked over as they drove off. “Is he right?”
“Italian and ostentatious red? Not really. I think the Audi is more your style.”
“I liked the Lamborghini the best, but you blew it up.”
“We both know that’s not true, and for the hundredth time, I didn’t blow it up.” But it was a familiar joke, and she was glad to hear him make it. Perhaps the evening wouldn’t be as bad she’d feared.
“Do you like art galleries?”
“I can’t say I’ve spent much time in them. Is that where we’re going?”
“Well, it’s up to you. Perhaps a jaunt down Newbury Street? Do some window shopping, visit a couple of galleries, take in the Halloween atmosphere.”
“That sounds nice, but will they be open so late?”
“A few of them, yes. I had Noah arrange some private viewings. There’s a chic little gallery that specializes in African and Israeli art, and another that leans towards European impressionists.”
“Private viewings, huh?”
“A masquerade, if you will, with the privacy and closed doors our own personal masks.”
“And if I’d opted for the walk around the reservoir?”
“Then I had a table set up with a bottle of champagne and a portable heater.”
“Really?” Cally couldn’t help her laugh of delight. “Let’s do that another time.”
“It occurred to me lying in bed this afternoon that I didn’t really know what you would want to do. Besides, our last datemight be a hard act to follow—I can’t guarantee we’ll be attacked by thralls.”
“If Eve hadn’t insisted on this ridiculous dress, I’d have chosen a nighttime stroll. But the galleries sound like something worth trying at least once, and in fairness, I just want to spend some time with you.”
He tried a smile, perhaps not as genuine as those from a few weeks’ prior, but at least with an effort, and they drove into Boston. It was as busy as Cally could remember, and by the time they pulled into the city, the evening had drawn on.
