Page 11 of The Write Knight

We eat our dinner that was prepared by a friend of mine who just so happens to be a chef. We talk about lighter topics over dinner, and after the plates are cleared away, I take her hands in mine. This is it. I must tell her who I am and hope that she isn’t upset that I haven’t told her sooner.

“I need to tell you something,” I huskily whisper. She swallows the champaign that she just drank and looks at me fearfully, which instantly guts me. I need her to trust me like I need my next breath. “I wanted to tell you my whole name. It’s Miles Knight Jr.”

A flicker of recognition crosses her face as I continue. “I am the CEO of Knight Publishing Company. I know when you asked me what I did for a living, my answer was a bit vague. But I really do marketing at the company. I do a bit of everything. I guess I didn’t mention it before because I could tell that you didn’t recognize me, which is so rare nowadays. It was like a breath of fresh air. The only women I normally attract are after me for my name or wealth. I apologize for keeping you in the dark, but I want this to work, and I want to be honest with you.” I blow out a breath and wait for her to say something to me.

“Wow, I definitely didn’t recognize you, although I don’t really read the papers much, so it’s not a surprise that I didn’t. Thank you for telling me, and I understand why you kept it quiet. I can’t imagine what you must go through daily. Although I am curious. What made you think you could trust me? How do you know that I’m not like those other women?” she asks quietly.

I know my answer right away, without even thinking, “I can tell you are an exception to those other women because there is something about you that feels genuine. I saw how you cared for Sarah last night, and how you didn’t want to use my driver until I persuaded you. You are compassionate and caring and intelligent. Then you asked how you could repay me. I have never had anyone ask that. I was stunned when I heard the words. You are exactly what I have been looking for, Lizzie.”

She lets out a deep breath and says, “Wow, thank you for saying those things about me. No one has ever called me all those kind words before. I feel a little self-conscious because I work two jobs. I’m not ashamed of that, but I feel like I’m probably not in the same social circle that you are. Well, I know I’m not. But you were right, I am not one of those women. I’m only interested in you as a person, Miles. I was interested at the coffee shop when I thought your name was Austen.” She takes a minute and quietly chuckles. “Thank you for trusting me with this information and also for being honest with me, especially after what I told you about my past.”

A frown briefly crosses her face and I know there’s more she isn’t telling me about her past, but I will let her tell me when she’s ready. “I don’t want you to feel self-conscious, I was given this position. I am still trying to earn it and navigate my way through it. And I like you for who you are, not what you do for a living. I’m not so shallow to believe two people can’t be together because of their differences in social prestige.” I squeeze her hands gently. She gives me a nod and a smilethat meets her sparkling brown eyes. “Let’s get out of here,” I happily blurt as I take her hand and pull her up against me. I lean down and kiss the top of her head. The scent of lavender wafts through my senses. I hold her hand as I lead her to the exit.

Chapter 8

Elizabeth

As we are walking to Miles’ car, I am filled with so many emotions: happiness, fearfulness, excitement, and maybe just a little smitten. I mean, I just went on the most romantic date of my life with the most handsome man that I have ever laid my eyes on. Oh, speaking of eyes, I could get lost in his forever. The deep blue reminds me of the ocean, and they feel like they pierce my heart. We approach his car hand in hand, and he opens the door for me; but before I can get in, he catches me in his arms and bends toward me until our lips meet. It’s sweet and tender; I can still taste the champaign on his lips. He breaks off from the kiss and gives me a quick peck on the cheek.

“This has been the most romantic night of my life. Thank you, Miles, for taking the time to put in so much effort for me,” I say as I slide into his car. He makes sure I’m settled in before he leans in and buckles my seat belt for me. Can I just take a moment to catch my breath because this man is blowing my mind? He runs his thumb over my cheek before he stands back up and closes the door.

After he gets behind the wheel, he looks over at me and just gazes into my eyes for a moment, then replies, “The pleasure has been all mine. The company was the best I’ve ever had!” He winks at me with a smile, and then starts the engine. I can’t stop smiling. I know he can probably see the blush that I have on my face, but I can’t hide it. And I guess I don’tcare that he sees. I’m sure he’s seen me blushing throughout the night. That’s just what he does to me. This date really has made me happy. It’s surprising that I enjoyed it so much. Well, only surprising by how spectacular it was. Most of my previous dates have been dinner and a movie, maybe some walking around; but never have I experienced anything quite like this. Well, I’ve never experienced anything like Miles Knight. Yes, I’m still floored by that information. I didn’t want him to see the shock in my eyes because I really didn’t recognize him, but I have heard of him. I mean every author who hopes to make it big has heard of his company.

We ride in comfortable silence as we head toward my apartment. Miles reaches over and grabs my hand to hold. I glance over at him; he looks so relaxed and not at all nervous, the way I feel. Is he like this with all his dates? Does he go this extravagant for the other women that he goes out with? I can’t help but feel a little jealous.Stop thinking that, Lizzie. He said he hasn’t done this before. He hasn’t given you any reason to doubt him, well, except not telling you his real name. But that’s understandable. If the roles were reversed, I don’t think I would have told him my name either.

As we arrive back at my apartment, he pulls into a spot and cuts the engine. He turns to look at me while his hand is still intertwined with mine. He leans over and pulls me into a kiss, and I swear every time his lips touch mine, I get a shiver down my spine.

“Lizzie,” he whispers against my lips.

“Hmmm?” I murmur before I open my eyes. He breaks away and cups my face. He runs his thumb over my cheek and across my bottom lip, then looks me in the eyes.

“I’ve never felt like this before. I knew you were different when I ran into you at the coffee shop, and then I realized it wasn’t just luck that I met you again that very samenight. I enjoy spending time with you. It feels so real when all I am ever surrounded by is fake.” He pauses and lets out a long breath like he’s nervous to say this, to open up to me. “Lizzie, it’s everything about you. I know you’re skeptical because of your past, and even I feel as though I should be nervous, but around you I feel calm. I feel like all is right in the world when you are close. Like all the pieces of my life have fallen into the right place.” He leans in and gives me a chaste kiss to the lips, and then pulls back, dropping his hands. Without thinking, I grab his hand and squeeze it in mine while I stare into his eyes.

“It does feel real, and I can’t seem to describe what it is about you that makes me feel like I can trust you. I don’t trust easily, as I told you. But I still agree with what you said at the library. I will take a chance on this. On us. But that doesn’t mean I’m not nervous. Not that you make me nervous,” I correct quickly as he chuckles. “I just mean this ‘at first sight’ thing has thrown me for a loop. It’s something that I would write about but not expect to happen in real life.”

He takes both of my hands in his and kisses my knuckles as his eyes never leave mine. “I never thought this was possible either. When I was younger, my father told me about when he met my mother. He said he knew the instant he saw her that she was the one for him. He always told my brother and me that one day we would find the right woman and we would know right away. I guess I figured that he and my mother just got fortunate with love, but now I’m starting to believe what he was saying,” he admits quietly.

“It’s beautiful he believed that and passed it down to you and Sebastian. My parents definitely didn’t have that sort of love, so I guess that’s why I didn’t believe in it. I suppose if I had been raised in a different environment I could see where you are coming from,” I respond.

He takes a moment and gazes into my eyes. I feel as though he is reading all the things I haven’t said to him. Forsome reason, I know he knows what I went through. Maybe not the full extent. But I think he can really see me for who I am, inside and out.

“We aren’t our parents, Lizzie. We are our own people. We make our own way in this life with our own choices. That’s what defines us, not our past,” he says, as he rubs his thumb over my cheek and wipes a tear that’s escaped my eye. How does he know exactly what to say?

“Will this be exclusive… between us, I mean?” I blurt out because I just have to know. I must know if there is someone else or if there will be. He looks at me like I have said something wrong, and I instantly regret asking the question. Of course, it’s not exclusive. You have known him for two days. A small frown forms on his face, but before he can say anything, I pull my hands away and reach for the door. He leans further in to grasp my wrist firmly, but not to hurt me. He pulls me back toward him and says, “I would have never said the things I have said to you if I didn’t want it to be just us. Yes, Lizzie, I want to be exclusive. I don’t want any other woman. Now or ever. You are the most charming and real person I have ever experienced, inside and out, and I’m not going to let you go. And, no, I'm not sharing you.” He cups my face again and says quietly, “I’m not like them, Lizzie. I’m not those other men you’ve dated. I will never cheat on you. They were fools. I need you to believe me. Please trust me.” At his words, I melt into his hands and lean over, then give him a kiss. One that I hope shows him I believe him, or at least, that I want to believe him. He does seem different, and our situation is unique. He deepens the kiss; his tongue urges my mouth open, and I oblige. Our tongues explore the others, and we are lost in the kiss for what seems like forever. I pull back and smile. “I trust you, Miles.”

With that statement, he’s out of the car and opening my door for me. I take his hand as I step out, and he doesn’t dropit as he walks me to my apartment. We arrive at the door, and I dig in my wristlet for my keys to unlock the door. As I open it, Miles pulls my body close to his and wraps his arms tightly around me. He’s so tall and muscular, and I feel so safe and protected in his arms. Not just physically, but I feel like he will protect my heart, as well. He kisses the top of my head, and before we part, I take in his scent once again. It pervades my senses, and I don’t think I will ever tire of it.

“Thank you, Lizzie, for allowing me the chance to take you out tonight. I have a packed schedule this week, but I will call you so we can arrange another date. I don’t want much time to pass before I get to hold you again.” He leans down and kisses my cheek.

I smile, looking up at him. “It was the perfect evening. Goodnight, Miles.”

“Goodnight, Lizzie,” he whispers in a low, seductive tone. He waits until I’m in my apartment, and then I hear him walking toward the stairs. I twist the lock, turn around as my back melts down the door, and I end up on the floor like a puddle with a huge smile on my face.

Sarah comes around the corner and sees my state, then starts to laugh. “You look like a smitten kitten!” she exclaims. I look up at her shocked.

“I am not. It was just an incredible night with an extraordinary man who may or may not be the man of my dreams.” I laugh as I get to my feet. I take my heels off and toss them in by the couch, then slump down on it. Sarah plops down next to me staring. Obviously waiting to hear all the juicy details. We sit there for a while; I tell her about the library and the most romantic night of my life. I tell her about everything he said to me because I want her honest opinion. I need to know if Sarah believes what he said about me “being different” and wanted to “take a chance on us.” She seemsenthralled by the time I finish recalling the night. She leans over, puts her arms around me, and pulls me into a bear hug. When she pulls back, she has a huge, genuine smile on her face. “I think this could be the real thing, Lizzie. He sounds like he knows what he wants, and what he wants is you. I have never been on a date like that in my life, nor have I been told the things he said to you. I know you’re hesitant, but not all men are the same as the ones that you were unfortunate enough to date before. I truly think you should give this a chance. You need to give yourself the opportunity to find love. You deserve that more than anyone I know. I love you, girl! Also, I like seeing this smile on your face. It suits you,” Sarah states.

I think about what she just said, and in my mind, it makes sense. I do feel comfortable around him. Also, he wants to be exclusive. At least that puts my mind at ease a bit. I don’t have to worry about him with other women when I’m not with him because, for some unknown reason, I really do trust him. And for reasons that I can’t explain, I truly believe him saying he wouldn’t hurt me. He is a genuine gentleman, and I would be foolish to let him slip through my fingers. Although, something tells me he wouldn’t let me get away very easily. Miles is a man that gets what he wants. That much I can tell. Apparently, what he wants is me. It’s still crazy to think about. I mean, this man could have anyone in the world. He is model material, and yet, I am the one that’s caught his attention. I push out a deep sigh and remember the way his lips felt against mine. It was the best kiss I’ve ever had, completely obliterating all the ones that came before it.

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