AllFreeNovel
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I add red lipstick and mascara and appraise the result in the mirror. “You look edible,” Tessa says from behind me.
I laugh at her inappropriateness. “You are ridiculous.”
“Eee!” she screams while clapping her hands and looking out the window. “The car is here!”
Nerves dance in my belly, or maybe it’s the baby, who knows. I do a little shake of both my hips and my fingers. Jazz hands but down low. Then I gather my purse, my jacket, and keys.
“Now just remember, G, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Tessa sings as I walk to the door.
I turn around and pin her with a stare. “That doesn’t restrain me at all.”
She shrugs. “What can I say, the only one who should be restraining you is Cash! Ha, that’s what she said.”
Oh my God, she’s juvenile. I shake my head as a giggle escapes, and she raises her brows in apparent satisfaction.
I open the door with a smile on my face and take in the man before me. He’s standing with a bouquet of gorgeous flowers, reds and golds tied tightly with twine. His brown eyes dance as they peruse my outfit, seemingly appreciating the small skin that peeks out between my boots and my dress. Then they snap back up, and Cash gives me one of his devastating smiles. “Gracie, you look absolutely beautiful.”
I close my eyes at his words, savoring this moment. How is it just the sight of him makes me literally weak in the knees? I inhale his oaky scent when he leans in to hand me the flowers and kisses my cheek.
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” I reply into his ear. He turns and stares at me, his eyes heating at my words. “Let me just put these in some water and we can go.”
As I go to turn around, Tessa grabs the flowers. “I’ve got them. You kids have fun!”
She practically shoves us out the door, and Cash gives me a knowing smile. He clearly knew I was trying to get away from him for a second. He’s very aware of the power he has over me. The way just his smile makes my insides melt, and forget his smell, I’m already clenching my legs together, taming my inner hussy. This is going to be one interesting night.
“So where are we going?” I ask, trying to make conversation since my nerves are shot.
Cash quirks a suspecting brow at me. He can read me like a book. “It’s a surprise.”
I huff out a breath in annoyance. “Cash, in case you haven’t realized, I’ve had more than enough surprises this year to last me a lifetime…literally.” I motion to my stomach.
Cash swallows.
Just the mention of my pregnancy and he’s gone all cotton mouthed and quiet. It’s easy to wax poetic when he was just finding out about the pregnancy, but unlike him, I don’t get to live in fantasy land. This pregnancy is very real and a lifelong surprise.
Before my spiraling takes us down the wrong path, he grabs my hand and stops us from moving outside into the cold air. At first, I don’t look at him, keeping my eyes down, afraid of the connection. Petrified of the control his eyes hold over me, the way he captures everything with just a look. But Cash doesn’t accept only part of me; he always demanded all my attention and now is no different.
Thumbing my chin, he pulls my eyes up to his and holds my gaze for a moment. No words are spoken, just a quiet promise made as he leans his forehead against mine. “We’re going for hibachi.”
I don’t know why I find it so funny, but the image it conjures and the surprise of his words makes me laugh.
“Hibachi?” I ask with a smile.
Cash’s eyes light up at my laughter. “Yes, hibachi.” He kisses my nose and pulls back. “Is that okay?”
“Yeah, it’s kind of perfect.”
It isn’t overly romantic. Hell, it doesn’t seem like a place the paparazzi would frequent and with the entertainment of the chef, it will resolve some of the awkwardness of sitting at a table by ourselves.
Cash drops my chin and takes my hand in his, squeezing it three times before he starts walking again. “Great, let’s go then.”
Outside, the air smells like snow, and Frank stands by the car waiting to open the door for us.
“Isn’t that what he’s for?” I tease Frank, pointing at Cash. He smiles and opens his arms for me. I give him a big bear of a hug and he lifts me off my toes. “It’s good to see you,” I whisper.
“Jeez, he gets a better welcome than I did,” Cash whines.
Both Frank and I turn to glare at Cash, and he holds up his hands. “Okay, okay, I deserved that.”
