Chapter 95
“ S he’ll like it, man.” Carson turns in a circle inside the expansive living space. “The view is fucking phenomenal from this floor, and it’s just a short drive to Black Cat. It’s perfect. Stop overthinking it.”
“It has to be special.” I glare at him. “I don’t want her to have any more doubts.”
“I think once someone tells you they love you, you’re past the doubting stage. Theoretically speaking.” He shrugs. “Because I sure don’t have any experience in that arena.”
“Me fucking neither.” I rake a hand through my hair. “Maybe I should buy more roses.”
“No, it already smells like a floral shop in here.” He shakes his head. “Just be yourself with her. For some reason, she seems to like your sorry ass.”
“She likes me now. I don’t want to fuck this up.” My cell bloops. I glance at the screen. “She’s almost here.”
“I’ll make myself scarce.” He heads for the door.
“Maybe you should stay.”
“Stop being chickenshit.” He does a U-turn in the foyer. Facing me, he gives me a firm look. “Show her how you feel. Put it all out there like you do when you’re performing onstage.”
“That’s easy. I know my way around a guitar.”
“You know her, dumbass.” He taps on the side of his hard head with his knuckles.
“You’re right.” I nod.
“It happens more often than you care to admit.”
My cell rings before I can come up with a retort.
“Hello,” I answer.
“I’m here.”
“She’s here.” With my heart stuttering at the sound of her voice, I cover up the speaker on my cell. “Get out,” I hiss at Carson.
“Gone,” he says and beelines for the door.
“I’m so glad,” I tell Peace, uncovering the speaker on my phone. “Did you have any trouble finding the place?”
“No,” she replies. “And there was barely any traffic. I’m entering the parking garage from Smith Street like you told me to.”
“I’m coming down.”
“From where?” she asks, since I still haven’t told her about the penthouse.
“Uh-huh,” I admonish. “It’s a surprise.”
“Okay, hurry,” she whispers.
I’m already on the move. It’s been too long since I’ve touched her. And tonight, there will be lots of touching. Our beginning is finally here without any barriers between us.
Every nerve ending inside me thrums with anticipation as I exit the apartment and take the elevator down to the lobby. I’m so excited I practically knock myself out on the door before it slides all the way open.
“Peace,” I call, spotting her beside the desk in the lobby. She turns and her golden hair arcs around her like a cape. My heart slows taking her in: her light brown and gold eyes, her cute nose, her luscious lips, and that insanely sexy body. Today, she’s wearing jeans and another bookish T-shirt. The slogan on this one says GIRLS WHO READ ARE HOT.
Mine certainly is.
“Missed you.” My heart in a full-out sprint, I stride to her. I don’t even acknowledge the concierge sitting on the other side of the desk. Picking her up, I spin her in a circle, and she smiles down at me.
“Bo,” she breathes. “How can you have gotten more irresistibly handsome overnight?”
“Love, baby.” I grin. “Only the object of your affection will do.”
“I believe that.” She threads her fingers in my hair. “Am I the object of your affection?”
“You’re the beginning and the end and the fulfillment of every fucking fantasy in between.” I squeeze her tightly, and she moans.
“Hey.” She attempts to look stern. “Don’t squeeze the life out of me. My boyfriend is expecting me today.”
“Is that what I am?” I ask, letting her down slowly so every sexy curve of her slides over every hard inch of me.
“You’re my everything, Bo Jackson.”
“Good fucking answer.” I lift and throw her over my shoulder.
“Stop. My bag is in my car,” she protests.
“You won’t need it, but Archie will bring it up later.” I spare him a glance. “Right?”
“Yeah, boss man, whatever you need.” From behind his desk, the building concierge tips his hat.
“Good man.” I hit the elevator call button and get Peace inside it when it arrives.
Peace
Bo sets me down outside an apartment. “Here we are.” He opens the door, and I step inside. The interior is light and spacious, and the furnishings are an inviting cream, beige, and dusky pink.
“This isn’t just anybody’s apartment, is it?” I ask, turning to look at him. In his jeans and a black button-down shirt that’s mostly unbuttoned, he’s the most compelling view.
“No.” He shakes his head, and his wallet chain sways over his muscular thigh. “This is where I want us to stay for the foreseeable future.”
“But I have an apartment.” I sigh. “It’s paid for. Black Cat is reimbursing?—”
“I know.” His eyes gleam. “But this one is ours. Both our names are on the lease. I have a hefty bonus in my bank account, thanks to you. My band is a success because of you. My heart beats for you, and I want you beside me.”
“Bo.” I reach for him, my heart full and my eyes wet. “You blow me away saying stuff like that.”
“Words used to be locked inside me, but they flow freely now because of you.”
“I used to be afraid to be myself, afraid of singing, afraid to make friends,” I confess. “But I’m not paralyzed by my fears anymore. You bring out the best in me.”
“You had the courage and everything you needed already inside you. You didn’t really need me, but you have me. You’ll always have me.” He clears his throat. “Share the view with me.” He steps back and gestures.
“Okay.” I walk with him closer to the bank of windows that frame English Bay. “This is stunning.” I sigh.
“You’re stunning.” He turns me. “Check out the rest of the place. But fair warning, you only have a few minutes to explore before I reach the limits of my restraint. Need you naked.”
With an anticipatory shiver rolling through me, I take in the open living space with its soaring ceiling and the oak hardwood floors beneath. I also take in the flickering candles on nearly every available surface, the attached and modernly appointed kitchen, and the luxurious but inviting-looking furnishings.
“It’s beautiful. Warm, light, airy.” Tears fill my eyes. “And the red roses are a thoughtful touch. There must be at least ten dozen of them.”
“Twelve dozen,” I correct.
“The candles are romantic.”
“Rose-scented like your perfume.”
“It smells divine. And that view.” I drift to the windows again to get a longer look at the water and the setting sun through the glass.
“I love it.” I glance at him over my shoulder, letting out a shaky sigh as he stalks toward me with intent in his eyes.
“I love you.” Moving behind me, he places his warm and talented hands on my shoulders. “Let me show you the bedroom.” He presses his warm lips to my cheek.
“Is that all you want to show me?” I gaze up at him through my lashes.
“No.” His eyes dip to my mouth. “I want to show you how much I care about you, how much I missed you, and how eager I am to start our life together. Come.” He takes my hand and leads me to a hallway on the other side of the kitchen. “Second bathroom.” He points. “Guest bedroom.” He points again. “Which is currently storage for all my guitars, and voilà.” He throws open the door at the end of the hall.
“Oh, my.” I release his hand. Being the book nerd that I am, the cushioned window seat and the bookshelves surrounding it require my immediate investigation even more than the massive bed covered in pink rose petals.
“When did you find time to do all this?” I select a book from the shelf. It’s The Boxcar Children . Tears prick my eyes. “You remembered,” I whisper roughly.
“Of course I do.” He gently places his hand on my shoulder and turns me around. Looking at me, the silver in his gaze sparkles brighter than the entire Milky Way. “That was the day my life took a different path, a better one.”
“It was the first time I didn’t feel too odd to be accepted.” I take advantage of the opening in his shirt. Diving my hand through the gap in the material, I place my palm on his solid chest. The warmth of his skin seeps into mine. With his heart drumming beneath my fingertips, he covers my hand with one of his own. “I was lost like the Boxcar children, but I found my home the moment I met you.”
“I found one too.” I don’t even want to blink as I return his perusal. I want him to see and believe the truth shining in my eyes. “I found my missing half. I’m complete with you.”
“I am too, baby.” He moves me toward the bed. “And I’m taking all your days and all your nights from now on. I want to love you, sleep with you, hold you beneath the stars. I want to make every day a happily ever after better than the ones in your stories.”
“I want to do that for you too.” I slide my hand over his warm skin, up and around his strong neck. Threading my fingers into his thick brown hair, I bring his head down and go up on my toes.
“We’re starting that happy ever after now.” He frames my face in his capable hands and aims his mouth toward mine. “Getting that kiss.” The edges of his chiseled lips curl, and I spin in a vortex when our mouths collide.