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“I’m just me.”
Timidity overtakes her, and she tucks her lower lip under her teeth, waiting to see what I’m going to say. Instead, I’m going to do. I rise and draw her up with me. “Let’s go.”
“Are we just going to dine and dash?”
From her giggle, I think she’s teasing. I may be a bastard sometimes but I’m not cheap. “No, it’s already taken care of, including a few grand tip for Patty. But I don’t mind giving her more for making you so happy.”
I yank out my wallet and throw a small pile of hundreds on the table. My generosity stuns her to silence, and I guide her out of the restaurant. Proud of myself for not taking her against the wall like I’ve wanted to all damn night.
Titan
If I take her home, too many distractions will ruin our night. With her relaxed and pliable, I refuse to risk Chels or Pete interrupting.
She doesn’t ask where I’m taking her, so I don’t offer an explanation while I lead her to the elevator.
My guys trail behind us, quiet yet alert. They all know Jace is dead and don’t want the same fate.
Once the doors close and we’re alone, she curls into me and looks up. Wonder radiates in her flushed expression. “I’m keeping you all to myself for a little while longer.”
A dazzling smile illuminates her perfect face. “Okay.”
After I swipe the card for the penthouse, she lifts on tiptoes and kisses me softly. Spoiling her makes her agreeable I’m learning.
More of my men wait for us when we reach the floor above the restaurant. Without hesitation, she clutches my arm as we walk toward the private entrance, welcomed by the solemn butler. I hold up my hand and shake my head at him. “We’re good. You can go.”
The older man keeps a neutral countenance despite the astonishment I’m sure he must feel. He dips his head. “Very good sir.”
We don’t need a tour or any accoutrements. I just need her alone.
She seems to feel the same way, squeezing my fingers while we wait for him to depart. After the heavy door shuts behind us, she drifts to the waterfall gurgling down the copper wall in the foyer.
“Wow!”
The panoramic view mimicking the restaurant grabs her attention next. She wanders toward the windows showcasing the entire city. I stall because there is something even more beautiful I want to show her.
Spinning us around, I position her small body in front of mine. We gaze at ourselves in the huge mirror reflecting the glistening horizon behind us. I’ve never seen anything more mesmerizing than her in my damn life. “Sometimes I think you still see that poor kid without any love or support.”
The uptick in her breathing as she stares at my face confirms she needs to hear what I’m telling her. “AllIsee is a bad ass woman who has no reason to feel insecure about herself or uncertain about me. I may not know all the little details like your favorite food or the last book you read, but I knowyou. What you’ve gone through, how you survived it, how you’ve made our world better in the short time you’ve known us. You belong here.”
She shivers against me. “I belong here.”
I love that she speaks the truth out loud. No whispers or doubt. Strong and confident, seemingly convinced.
Finally.
When I smile, she smiles in return. “You look sexy as hell in that dress too.”
Her head falls back to my shoulder as she laughs. ‘I’m going to fuck you tonight fireball, know that.”
I scoop her up and carry her to the bedroom. She shrieks in surprise but doesn’t fight me. Instead, her arm curls around my neck and she snuggles in.
I keep the lights off. Not that I don’t want to see her amazing body, but the night sky surrounds us, and she deserves to make love in the starlight.
Hell, she deserves everything.
I set her on her feet, and she slowly twirls around taking in the three-sixty view. “It’s incredible.”
“Yes, you are.”
