Page 112 of Some Kinda Romance

55

DASH

While I’d told her we would decide what we felt like when she arrived, I’d already made plans for us for dinner. I just wanted it to be a surprise. Apparently, a lot of romance was better when there was an element of surprise involved.

According to my mother anyway. She told me to make sure that I surprise Serenity often to keep the romance alive, so that was what I was doing.

Earlier this afternoon, I’d called in a team of my people and I’d given them access to my building to set up a really romantic rooftop dinner. I planned on making it seem like Serenity and I were going out, though.

I’d considered a few restaurants, but I was finding it hard to trust any reviews after what might’ve happened with Tentacles. Deciding to trust my own people instead, I’d sent my chef along with a few others to make sure we had the best dinner ever that didn’t get anyone sick.

After I got home, I headed directly to my bathroom and showered, shaved, and started getting ready. Serenity arrived about five minutes after I’d slapped on my aftershave and I met her at the elevator that doubled as my front door wearing only my underwear and a pair of slacks.

“You look ravishing,” she joked, her eyes sparkling with laughter as she came over and wrapped an arm around my neck. “When you said to bring something nice, though, I thought we were dressing up, not down.”

I chuckled and took the overnight bag she’d walked in with. “You’re hilarious. I’m glad you decided to come get ready here, though. I love watching you transform.”

“Transform?” She giggled. “I’ve never thought of it like that, but I suppose it’s a pretty accurate description of what happens.”

“Nah, you look just as good, if not better, when you’re just wearing sweats. But still. I like seeing you get ready. Somehow, it makes all this feel real.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” She pressed a hard kiss to my lips before she let go of me and strode down the hallway to my bedroom. “Are you coming?”

“Hopefully soon,” I joked, my gaze running over her backside.

Hurrying to catch up, I joined her in my bedroom and caught glimpses of her getting ready as I got dressed myself. When she was done, I looked her over, knowing she could see the appreciation in my gaze. “You’re stunning.”

Catching her hand, I pulled her to me and kissed her, suddenly wishing we didn’t have any plans after all. But we did, and since I couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when she saw my surprise, I broke the kiss much sooner than I would have liked. “We should go.”

“Where are we going?” she asked as she took my arm.

“Not that far actually.”

We walked out of my bedroom, and when we got in the elevator, I pushed the button for the roof. She laughed like I was fooling around, but a minute later, the doors opened and her laughter cut off abruptly. Her eyes widened and awe softened her features. Her lips parted as she took it all in. I had to give it to my team. Even I was bowled over by what they’d achieved this afternoon.

There were lights strung all around, giving the rooftop a soft, romantic look. A small string quartet played classical music and a table had been set up just for us.

She glanced at me, her eyes still wide, and inclined her head toward the rooftop. “I’m assuming it doesn’t always look like this?”

“Nope.” I grinned. “Surprised?”

“Definitely.” She took my hand as we stepped off the elevator and I was ecstatic that I’d managed to surprise her this well.

Looking around, I nodded at the few members of the team who remained. Joey, one of my bartenders, stepped forward to offer us some champagne.

Serenity nodded enthusiastically at him. “Yes, please.”

Joey smiled as he filled the flutes he had waiting. Then he left the bottle on ice in a silver bucket next to the table and saluted me. “See you tomorrow, boss.”

“See you tomorrow,” I said. “Thanks, Joe.”

He grinned and left me alone with Serenity and the string quartet. Once he was gone, I pulled out her chair and she sat down, still clearly marveling at it all. I took my seat across from her.

“That guy works for you,” she said, her eyes glittering with happiness in the candlelight that flickered from the center of our table. “How did you manage to spare an entire team for this?”

I shrugged. “It was worth it. Besides, they were well compensated. Made them happy to take on the extra work.”

“I can’t believe you did this for me,” she said, glancing at the elevator when the doors slid open again.