AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Blake:On my way up.
I take a breath and let it out, calming the kaleidoscope of butterflies in my belly. There’s a knock on my door. This is the moment of truth. “Coming!” I pull on my silver dress socks and black leather ankle boots, then hurry to the door, swinging it open with a flourish. My breath catches in my throat. Blake McCarthy in a custom fit tuxedo is a glorious sight. “Holy gorgeousness!” As if I’m being pulled by invisible threads, I step into Blake’s space, running my hands over his shoulders and down his lapels. “You look incredible.”
“Not as incredible as you.” His voice is soft and breathy, and the way he’s devouring me with his eyes makes me feel stunning and sexy. He settles his hands on my hips and presses a sweet kiss to my lips. I melt against him, slipping my arms around his neck as his fingers find their way under my suit coat. He strums the laces of my vest and his hum of approval settles any concerns I had.
“I love this outfit.”
Blake’s eyes roam over me appreciatively, so I do a little pirouette, showing him the whole ensemble. “It’s not too much? I have a different tie if you think that would be better.”
“No. Don’t change a thing. It’s stunning, and veryyou. And I love that.” I do a little happy dance in my head. “Are you ready to go?”
I nod. “I just need to turn off the lights and lock up.”
Before I can move, Blake cups my face with his hand and brushes his thumb over my cheek. “Do you have your overnight bag?”
“Of course!” I press up onto my toes and kiss his tempting mouth, then pick up my Michael Kors overnight tote I’d stashed near the door. With a quick flick, I turn off the lights, grab my keys, and lock the apartment door behind me. “Okay, ready.”
He ushers me down the stairs, holding the door for me as I sweep through. I’m expecting his black SUV. What’s waiting for us stops me in my tracks. “Blake.” I gawp at the sleek black sedan parked in the alley with an honest to gods chauffeur waiting next to the passenger door. Blake puts his hand against my lower back and gently moves us forward. “I’ve never been in a fancy car like this before.” I’ve never even been this close to one.
He kisses my temple. “Only the best for you, sweetheart.”
The driver takes my bag and opens the back door. “Good evening.”
“Good evening! Thank you.” I glance at Blake, wondering if he asked the driver not to call me sir. He probably did, but regardless, I appreciate the omission. Blake gestures for me to get in first and I slide across the back seat, my eyes darting over the interior, taking in everything.
He gets in after me, lacing our fingers together, bringing my hand to his lips for a soft kiss. “I can’t wait for you to see the venue. It’s the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum. You said you’d never been, right?” I shake my head. It’s funny how many of the tourist attractions I haven’t seen, even though I’ve lived here all my life. “You’ll love it. It’s absolutely incredible.”
“Will we get a chance to see all of it, or just the part where the gala is?” The museum was on our list of touristy things to do together, but when Blake learned the gala was being held there, we decided to wait.
“We’re allowed to walk the whole thing before we sit for dinner. Oh, Jocelin and Astrid are sitting with us. I think she’s bringing Gary as her plus one.”
“Great. If you need to schmooze with donors, I can be with them. You can do what you need to without worrying about me.”
“I promise to keep that to a minimum, if possible. I’d much rather spend the evening with you.” He kisses my cheek. “How was your day?”
“Wonderful. I slept in, took a nice hot bath, and basically pampered myself all day.” I move closer, leaning against him from shoulder to knee, enjoying the contact. “You know I’m a hedonist at heart.”
His smile is playful and so sexy. “I do, but I love that about you. It balances my practical side.”
“That’s why we’re practically perfect together.” I reach out and glide my fingertips along his freshly shaven jaw.
His gaze turns serious. “We really are.”
Even after experiencing so many of my quirks and eccentricities, I can tell he truly believes that. It’s both frightening and exhilarating. “It hasn’t scared you off?”
Blake opens my hand and kisses my palm. “Not in the least, sweetheart.” He sets our hands on his thigh, giving my fingers a brief squeeze. “Would you like to know what’s happening tonight, or would you prefer to be surprised?”
I love surprises, but given this is a function for Blake’s work, and I don’t want to embarrass him, it’s probably best if I have an idea of what to expect. “How about you tell me the general plan and leave the details as a surprise?”
“Alright. First there will be cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while the guests arrive. That’s when we’ll wander through the galleries and the gardens. Then there will be the sit-down dinner, and some rather boring announcements regarding the fundraiser and the recipient charities. After that, there will be live music and dancing.” His eyes sparkle in the passing lights. “And I’ll sweep you into my arms and onto the dance floor.”
“Mmmm. I like the sound of that.”
We pull up to the front of the Chihuly Garden and Glass center and the driver gets out, walking around to open our door. Blake exits gracefully, offering me his hand. I take it, feeling like a movie star or a sparkly fairy princess, and let him help me out of the car. As we walk toward the entrance, he tucks my hand into the crook of his arm, and my heart does an excited skip.
A door attendant wielding a tablet and an enthusiastic smile greets us. “Good evening, sirs. May I see your invitation, please?” The assumed honorific makes me flinch. I might be dressed masculine, and appear male, but it’s still wrong. There needs to be a generic way to greet everyone while still being polite.
Blake hands them the invitation, and they check it against the list on their tablet before returning it. “Thank you, Mr. McCarthy. You and your guest are free to wander through the museum. All galleries are open, and there are cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the art plaza.”
