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Miles:We will have to arrange that, sweetheart. Heading into the meeting. I will call or text after. See you tonight.
Lizzie:Good luck in there. Talk to you later then. XOXO
Checking my watch, I pop out of the chair, grabbing my coffee and hurrying to the door. The few minutes I had to spare were used talking to Miles, and now I have to hustle to get work on time. I rush in just as I see Edith’s car pulling up. Putting my hand to my chest, I take a minute to catch my breath as I put my coat and purse away. I busy myself with stocking the new inventory, and before I know it, my shift is over. I like Wednesdays because they are relaxed and mostly free from priorities. Except for the short shift at the bookstore, I have a free day. Grabbing my things from behind the counter, I call out to Edith before I leave, “I’ll see you Friday, Edith.” I hear her mumble something that probably wasn’t for me to hear. Sighing, I walk out into the cold December air. I snuggle in my jacket tighter and start the short trek to my apartment.
Once I get home, I realize I have less than an hour until Miles will be here to pick me up.Since he’s cooking at his house,that means I can wear something casual, right?So, I decide not to change from the outfit I have been in all day. I do, however, go into the bathroom to give my makeup a refresher. I run a comb through my hair from where the wind made it all tangly.
He called after his meeting, but I wasn’t able to answer. He sent a message that his meeting went well. I’m happy about that. He’s been stressing over the presentation, and now he will get the opportunity to relax tonight.
I check my watch, having five minutes to spare. In the short time that I have known Miles, I have found this is a man of punctuality. I run to the mirror in the living room to check out my outfit. It’s the perfect amount of comfortable and cute. I left my hair flowing down my back because I think he really likes it that way. I hear a knock on the door and instantly get butterflies in my belly. I haven’t even seen him, yet, but my stomach is doing summersaults.
I grab my purse and place my phone inside. I open the door and my breath catches in my throat. Wow, he is so handsome. He has a huge smile across his face when he sees me. Before I can get any words out, he has me wrapped up in a tight hug.
He leans down to where his mouth is beside my ear, and whispers out, “I missed you, today.” Just feeling his breath on my neck send chills up my spine.
I pull back, so I can look up at his gorgeous blue eyes. “I missed you, too,” I say softly. He gives me a small kiss.
“Let me grab my coat.” I walk back into the apartment and pick my jacket up off the back of the couch. He takes it from me and holds it out for me to slide into. “Thank you,” I say breathlessly because I can’t get my breathing under control when he is this close.
“Always,” he responds.
I can’t deny that my heart skips a beat at his use of the word “always.” But then, I come back down to earth and remind myself we have only been seeing each other for less than a week. 'Always' can change to 'never' in the blink of an eye. I smile up at him instead of replying to his comment.
“Are you ready for the best Italian you have ever eaten?” he questions.
I take this time to make the situation a bit lighter. “Oh, are we going out instead of you cooking?” I ask teasingly.
“Oh, very funny. Someone is being feisty tonight. I will be awaiting your apology after you taste my dinner.” He looks at me with a wicked grin.
“Well, I’m starving, so I guess we better get you to your kitchen, then,” I laugh out. He smiles and pulls me back into him as his lips crash over mine. It feels like he is starving for me, and I for him. He pulls his hands from my waist, cupping my cheeks, then breaks off the kiss gently. He gazes into my eyes for a moment, and then says, “Lizzie, you are breathtaking. You make me crazy for you.” He kisses my forehead and drops his hand to grab mine.
“Ready?” He smiles at me like I’m the only person in the world he wants to look at or be with. Just with his looks, he is doing something to me. My heart begins to flutter again, and I can’t help but blush that I know he probably sees.
“Of course,” I reply. He leads me out of my apartment.
Chapter 16
Miles
Once we get into my car, I can’t keep my eyes off her. She is stunning. But it’s not just her looks that have me; it’s her heart. She has captured my soul in this short week I’ve known her. I don’t know if she realizes how bad I have it for her or how badly I want to tell her. But I don’t want to scare her off by moving too quickly. Damnit, I want to spend every ounce of free time that I have with her. I grab her hand and hold it in mine as I drive down the road. I need the connection with her. She is too close for me to not reach out and touch her.
On the way to my penthouse, we talk about our day that we had today. Conversation flows easily and there is no awkward silence. Once we reach my place, I pull into the garage and park. I get out and go to her side to let her out. I grasp her hand in mine tightly and lead her toward the lobby. Once inside I nod to Colin behind the desk. I lead Lizzie to the private elevator that only goes to my apartment. When it opens up, her eyes widen even more than they did when she saw the lobby. The elevator has white marble flooring and gold sconces along the walls, then there’s a large mirror hanging within an elaborate gold frame.
“Wow!” she exclaims. “This looks like a fancy hotel.”
?I chuckle as I look down at her. It does look like something you would find in a resort of some kind. I suppose that I have gotten used to it, so I don’t notice anymore.However, I do love seeing it through her eyes.
“I suppose it’s a bit too fancy, but it was like this when I bought my place. I guess I don’t really notice it.” She looks at me with one brow raised, and it makes her look adorable. I can’t help but smile. The elevator opens to my apartment, and I lead her out into my penthouse. She walks straight over to the floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the Hudson. I walk up behind her and grab her hips.
“What do you think?” I ask, as I kiss the top of her head.
“It’s beautiful. Breathtaking, really. Can I have a tour?” she asks, glancing over her shoulder at me.
We spend the next twenty minutes going through the rooms. Her favorites are the theater room and the kitchen.
“I still can’t believe this kitchen. It’s beautiful. My mother would have a fit if she saw this!” she exclaims.
I look at her a bit puzzled, “A fit?”
