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I jingle my wrist with my gold bracelets instead of the smartwatch I usually wear. With my other hand, I point at my clutch on his bed. “I’m not wearing it tonight. I have a read out on my phone just like you do. You’ve worked just as many hours this week as I have.”
His ongoing work project keeps him in the office well past dinner time most nights. I’ve even taken him dinner a few evenings this week.
“Yeah, but—”
“Not buts,” I cut him off. I wrap my arms around his neck and give him a quick kiss. “I’m fine and we’re going out.”
To end any further discussion, I take his hand in mine, grab my clutch, and pull him out of the bedroom.
About thirty minutes later, we arrive at the exclusive Black Opal nightclub and lounge.
“Mr. Townsend.” The security guard nods at Diego as he undoes the velvet rope to allow us in the private entrance.
Diego extends his arm for me. I wrap my hand around his and follow his lead as we enter the nightclub. After a few hellos to some business associates, we take the glass elevator up to the second floor VIP area.
“It’s about time,” a deep voice booms from across the room. “We’ve been waiting for hours,” Kyle Townsend says, glaring at Diego.
“Don’t listen to him,” the beautiful woman to his right says. “We just got here ten minutes ago,” Riley, Kyle’s wife, tells us.
Kyle frowns. “How am I supposed to guilt him if you keep telling on me?”
She rolls her eyes. “Don’t guilt family. Besides, does it look like he’s even paying any attention to you?” she argues.
Both Kyle and I turn our attention to Diego, whose gaze is firmly planted on me. Has he been staring at me like this since we got off the elevator?
Without a word, he leans in close to my ear. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”
“Only twice.”
Though I can’t see his face, I know he smiles because his lips brush against my ear, making me shudder.
“You look good enough to moisturize my beard,” he growls in my ear.
It takes me a beat, but when I realize his meaning, I cover my mouth and gasp. “You—”
“Oh my god!” a voice screeches behind us.
I turn to find Kyle’s twin sister and Diego’s cousin, Kennedy, staring between us wide-eyes, mouth ajar.
“Is thisfinallyhappening?”
I turn to Diego, who’s looking at his cousin with a raised eyebrow.
“Don’t everyone speak at once,” Kennedy says. “First of all …” she throws her arms around my neck, “welcome home.”
I laugh as I hug her tight. Kennedy is a few years younger than me, but we practically grew up together. She’s like family. As we hug for the first time since Kyle’s wedding almost two months ago, I realize how much I’ve missed her.
“I’m not the only one who deserves a welcome back,” I say as we pull apart. “You’ve been quite busy, I hear.”
She shrugs. “Traveling for work.” Ken’s an up-and-coming investigative reporter. “I’m home now.” Then she gasps. “I can’t wait to hear all about your gallery.”
She takes my free arm and starts toward the main area of the VIP section. I come to a stop when Diego’s hold doesn’t let up. I turn back to him.
The look in his eyes is so pitiful that I can’t help but laugh.
“Of course, he’s all clingy now,” Kennedy gripes. “Can you please let her arm go so we can gossip about you in private?”
He makes a face at his cousin and then lowers his gaze to me. I see the kiss coming only a split second before his lips touch mine.
