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He smiles. “I thought it might be best to give ourselves a little time for our dinner to go down before we indulge in bedroom gymnastics. And it’s still your birthday. So we’re going to Te Papa.”
I haven’t been to our national museum for a long time. “Oh, that’ll be fun. Is there a special exhibition on?”
“There is.” He doesn’t elaborate. Gesturing for me to finish the dessert, he puts down his spoon and leans back in his chair. “Would you like a coffee?”
“No, thank you. I’m stuffed.”
We chat for a bit while we finish off the champagne. I find him so easy to talk to. I like that he’s interested in lots of subjects. He likes science and history and sport and music, and he always has something interesting to say.
When the bottle is empty, we go over to the desk and Kip pays, and then we head out, going back down in the elevator. I hold my birthday present tightly as we walk out to the Uber.
It’s a short journey to Te Papa. Once there, we get out of the car, and Kip comes around to take my hand.
We cross the waterfront, holding hands. The sun has nearly set now, the late rays painting the harbor in plums, scarlets, and oranges. Ahead of us, Te Papa glows like a lighthouse. Out the front is a large banner advertising the current exhibition.
My jaw drops, and I laugh as I see the blonde girl in her blue dress with the white pinafore. It’s an Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Exhibition.
Kip’s eyes are alight with pleasure. “Come on,” he says eagerly, “I’m looking forward to this.”
Chapter Eighteen
Kip
I’m pretty sure ninety percent of my thoughts over the past couple hours have been about having sex with Alice. Okay, ninety-five. Possibly ninety-six.
It’s impossible not to think about taking her to bed. Despite her lack of experience, the girl was made for loving. I can tell it’s on her mind, and I think that’s why I’m obsessing about it. Whenever I talk, she stares at me with a look in her eyes that suggests she’s thinking about stripping me naked and getting down on her knees, and boy does that make my motor race.
Despite this, I thoroughly enjoy the next hour. We leave her books and my briefcase in one of the lockers near the entrance and head up to the exhibition. It explores the journey of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland from book to screen and includes films and TV programs, but the most fun part is the interactive exhibit, which takes place in a large maze. We meet all the characters from the stories: the White Rabbit with his waistcoat and pocket watch, the grinning Cheshire Cat, and the Queen of Hearts, as well as the Mad Hatter and the March Hare at the tea party. We eat sweets and then have to squeeze through a small door into a tiny house, then have another sweet and climb up a huge chair to look into Alice’s room. It’s full of bright colors and the crazy creatures from the stories, and by the time we finish, my Alice is smiling, and her eyes are sparkling.
We leave the exhibit and end up in the shop, and I treat her to a pair of flamingo earrings.
“What did you think?” I ask as we retrieve the books and briefcase from the locker.
“It was absolutely wonderful.” She chats away about it as I call for an Uber, and before long we’re in the car and heading for home.
“It’s been a fantastic evening.” She holds out her hand, and I close my fingers around hers.
“Has your dinner gone down?” I tease.
She gives a little nod, and her eyes meet mine as she shivers.
“Don’t be nervous,” I murmur, lifting her fingers to mine.
“I’m not. Well, only a little. It’s like Christmas Eve all over again.” Her gaze drops to my mouth. “Before you kissed me earlier, you said you were enjoying the anticipation. I know what you meant. I’m so excited. I can’t wait… and yet I want this bit to last forever because it feels so good.”
Her eyes have taken on a sultry look, the lids lowering to half-mast. She’s thinking about kissing me, and maybe about doing more. The thought makes my heart race. She’s right; it is like how I felt about Christmas Eve as a child: those glittering presents under the tree; the excitement of waiting for Santa; all that promise.
“I’m excited to have sex with you and not be a virgin,” she murmurs so the driver can’t hear. “I know you held back last time.” She looks up into my eyes. “This time, you don’t have to hold back.”
My heart bangs on my ribs. “You’re sure? You might regret that.”
Her eyes flare. “Ooh. Am I letting the tiger out of his cage?”
“Just remember to be careful what you wish for.”
She laughs, clearly intrigued.
The car pulls up outside my house, I thank the driver, and we get out.
