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"No, she wouldn't be into that." She sighs. "She wants to focus on finding a job right now. She feels like she needs to be able to pay her way."
"But I've paid for the apartment for the next year. I can pay the bills as well, so you can all focus on your dreams."
"Jackson, no."
"But you're my girlfriend and she's your best friend and I have 750 million dollars in my trust fund. Trust me when I say I can afford to front 20 grand." I am frustrated by Zara's stubbornness. I love her for it, but I want to make her life easier and that of her best friend.
"Jackson, I love you, but we're still getting to know each other. I don't want there to ever be any doubt in your mind about me."
"There isn't." I sigh. "I just want to take care of you. And love you. And make love to you. And kiss you all day and night."
"Are we spending the night at your place?" She asks softly and I smile to myself. As much as Zara doesn't want to move in with me yet, she still loves staying at my place. And I make it a point that we don't spend a night apart. We might be taking the engagement slowly, but I know I don't want to wake up in the morning without her in the bed next to me.
"Yes, why?"
"I was going to wear the lingerie that Elise got me." She giggles. "See if you like it."
"I'll like it just fine when it's on the floor and I'm inside of you." I growl and then hear a loud coughing. I look up and see Ethan glaring at me and I burst out laughing. "Hey hon, I have an audience here. I'll text you the address of the restaurant and my driver will pick you and Lila up in about an hour okay?"
"Sounds good. Thanks, Zeus." She giggles as I growl again.
"That's what you'll be calling me tonight." I hang up and glare at Ethan. "Don't say anything."
"Would I?" He winks. "What's she calling you tonight? Tarzan?"
"Now that would be something, wouldn't it?"
Zara's hand is warm in mine as we sit at the table, listening to Sarah tell us about how she accidentally manifested Ethan into her life. I already know the story, but I can tell that Zara is mesmerized by the tale and Lila hasn't stopped laughing.
"I can't believe you wrote an ad for a billionaire and got one." Lila giggles. "Maybe I need to write one as well." She looks over at Zara. "You'll have to help me."
"Oh, so you want a billionaire now?" Zara laughs. "Hopefully one that doesn't suck you into the vortex."
"Stop it." Lila's laughter is louder now as she throws her head back. Her shoulder-length light brown hair shimmers in the light and her blue eyes are merry. "And he can suck and suck all he wants." She slaps her hand on the table and I watch Sarah and Ethan exchange an amused smile.
"Any more wine?" I ask as I signal to the waiter. "Do you want anything else to eat?" I ask Zara. "Some dessert."
"Aren't you my dessert?" She teases me.
"Yes, but I also know that you love a little cake and ice cream before your final course." I reach down and run my fingers up her thigh. "They have chocolate molten cake on the menu."
"How did you read my mind?" She shakes her head, and I laugh at the wry smile on her face. "I do want the cake, but I was going to go on a diet."
"You don't need to go on a diet." I lean over and kiss her cheek, before turning her face and kissing her on the lips. "You're beautiful as you are. Absolutely perfect."
"You're only saying that because you love me." She makes a face, but I can tell she's happy from the glow in her eyes. "But fine, I will have the cake. You have to share it with me though."
"I will share anything you want me to." I run my fingers up her arm and grin as I feel her shiver. I love the way Zara responds to me. Her reactions to my touch turn me on just as much as when I see her naked body. "I'm hoping I can convince you to share my apartment with me soon." I say, and because I can't stop myself, I pull a key out of my pocket. I'd intended on doing this in private on our fourth date, but I couldn't hold it in anymore. "This is a key to my apartment. I want you to come and go as you please and move in some clothes."
"Jackson." Her eyes are wide as she grins. "What?"
"I love you, Zara. Everyone here knows it." I look around the table. "I want us to grow our lives together. I want my home to be your home."
"But I'm not..." Her voice trails off and she looks at Lila.
"It's fine." Lila offers her a warm smile. "You don't have to say no because of me. You don't have to stay in the apartment until I find a man. I don't need you to financially support me, Zara. And I don't need you to live with me forever. Your man wants you. If I had a man, I would already have been out." She gives Zara a pointed look, but I know that's not true. She's saying it because she wants Zara to be happy.
"You can move in as well." I say, without thinking. "If you want. I have plenty of room. Elise can live in the apartment with the kids and a fulltime nanny." I look over at Zara and I can tell that she doesn't love that idea. "Or they can also move in with us." I stare at her. "If that's what you want?"
