8. Kimberly
Chapter 8
Kimberly
After my encounter with Silas, I floated through the rest of my day. Nothing was getting me down. Going to dinner with him is like a dream come true. After I had overheard another nurse talking about the board meeting and knew that Silas would be there. My body ached, knowing that he was so close and not seeing him. I was just going to sneak up there and get a glimpse.
What I didn't expect was for him to see me and follow me. But that kiss. Plopping down on my bed, I trace my fingers along my lips, remembering how he took control of my body. It felt as if I was hovering over us and watching from above.
I never thought that this day would come. But would if it's all for nothing? If Smith finds out and doesn't accept this, then am I still doomed to be alone? Glancing at the clock, I shake the thoughts of heartbreak trying to form and get dressed.
Silas never said where we'll be going tonight. As I look through my clothes, I spy the little black dress, I've been saving for a special occasion. It's perfect. Sitting right above my knee, it's wouldn't be too short for a sophisticated place. It also has a lace-covered cutout on my back, giving it a sexy feeling. Silas is going to love it. There is no way I could wear anything else but this on the first date with the man I've been obsessed for the past seven years.
As I'm putting on my makeup, my phone rings. "Hello."
"Hey. I heard you're getting ready for a date." Allison's voice comes over the speaker. That's the thing about us girls. Not only do, we all know each other's secrets, but we support each other no matter what.
"I am. Silas asked me out this afternoon."
"Is this a new guy? Colleen just told me you had a date." Her teasing tone makes me smile.
"Silas is not new. Remember how I told everyone about the guy I was casually seeing but was attracted to his dad?"
"Mmhmm," she says, encouraging me to continue.
"Well, that dad is the same guy who now owns the hospital. When we ran into each other earlier, he asked me out. Hopefully, this time, it will all work out." I start to explain the feelings of doubt trying to take root. Thankfully Allison speaks before I can put too much weight into them. "So, this is the guy that you've been obsessed with?"
"Yeah," I breathe out. We know each other's secrets and what make us crazy, Silas is mine.
"Well, I'm happy for you, but I wouldn't be me if I didn't tell you that you should be careful. What if his son doesn't approve and you're in the same position as before?"
"I know. That's what I'm most worried about," I admit to her. "But I won't know unless I go for it."
"I'm here, if it goes south. Just text me and I'll be there in an instant."
Smiling, I look over at my phone as if she was standing there. "Thanks." My doorbell rings, and I see it's seven.
Right on time.
"He's here. I've got to go."
"Love you hun. Have fun." The line goes dead as the doorbell rings once more.
"I'm coming." Walking toward the front door, I pause at the mirror, making sure my hair and makeup look good.
Satisfied, I swing the door open, and my breath leaves me when I see Silas standing there. I don't even try to stop myself. My eyes rake down his body, taking him all in. He's dressed in black sacks with a black button-down shirt, his sleeves rolled up to show off his muscular forearms. His salt and peppered hair is styled to perfection. Silas Cabot is the whole fucking package.
"Are you done eye-fucking me?" he asks me with a sexy smirk. My cheeks burn with embarrassment as I realize he's teasing me.
His hand snakes around my waist as he pulls me against him. "You look gorgeous, little doe," he says against the shell of my ear. His breath, so close to my skin, brings goosebumps to the surface. Shit, this guy doesn't have to do anything to turn me on.
He lets me go before I'm ready, but it's for the best since the idea of climbing him like a tree is starting to sound better than dinner. "Are you ready?" Silas asks as he holds his arm out.
Dropping my head, I tuck a piece of my blonde hair behind my ear and give him a shy smile. I link my arm with his, nodding. I don't dare to speak; I know whatever I say it'll come out like a wanton hussy. The whole way to the car, I repeat the same mantra over and over, he's just a man pretending that I haven't been obsessed with the same man for the last seven years.
Shortly after we get in the car, we pull up in front of the fanciest restaurant within a hundred miles, and my jaw drops. Mercury is so fancy that the only people who can afford to eat there are people with money. Like real money. Celebrities, businessmen, people like Silas. The night I told him I wanted to try this place when it first opened races through my mind. How did he remember? No, he can't spend this much money on me. I whip my head toward him, and he's smirking at me. "This is too much Silas."
His eyes soften as he continues to stare at me, as if he's trying to analyze my reaction. After a beat of silence, he finally says. "Nothing is too much for you. Now it's time to get out. The valet is waiting for you."
Turning toward the door, I'm not surprised to find that Silas is right. There's a young man waiting patiently for me to get out of the car. Not wanting to impede the guy from doing his job, I hurry to get out of the car, grabbing my clutch.
Walking hand in hand into the restaurant feels so surreal. The hostess greets us. "This way to your usual table, sir." As we follow, I glance at him and mouth, "Usual table?" The man just smirks not giving anything away.
Shortly after we sit at the table, the server comes up and Silas orders us a bottle of wine. "I can't believe we're here."
When the server brings the bottle of wine, we both go to reach for it. When our hands touch, the same electric current I felt in the elevator buzzes through me. My gaze drops to where we are touching, and I can't help but be mesmerized. Neither of us moves just allowing our fingers to slowly graze against each other as if we're both trying to memorize the feel of each other. Silas finally breaks the silence when he lowers his voice. "I recall you had said you wanted to try this place."
His remark draws my attention as I process what he just said. My brows furrow. "Yeah. First, how did you remember that? Second, you didn't have to bring me here. It's really expensive."
The soft smile that Silas had been donning since he picked me up drops. His jaw clenches as his tone drops into a scolding tone. "First, as I said, you are worth it. No matter what any douchebags have told you. Second, no more putting yourself down or there will be consequences." Not being able to take my gaze from him, his face transforms once again into a sexy smirk. "Besides, I'll be spending a lot more than this on you in the future."
The server interrupts us before I can respond to his declaration. "Are you ready to order?"
Shit, I never even looked at the menu. Not wanting to seem desperate, I try to skim the menu but I'm not really sure what everything is. I glance up at Silas to ask him a question about what he likes but he's talking with the server, so I patiently wait, glancing back down at the menu.
Suddenly the server walks away, I didn't get to order yet. My eyes bounce around the dining room, looking for him. When I go to push back from the table, a large hand engulfs mine, stopping me. "Little doe, don't worry, I ordered for the both of us. I thought that might help you."
A wave of relief washes over me. Normally I would be pissed if someone was so presumptuous as to order for me, but I find with Silas I can't seem to muster up the feeling. My shoulders relax and I squeeze his hand.
"Thank you."
Keeping my hand in his, he just nods. He doesn't let go of me as he continues with the conversation. "So, when did you move from the city to Rose Valley?"
"After graduation, I wasn't in the best place and was ready for a different pace of life. I applied to a few hospitals within thirty minutes of the city, and Rose Valley was the first one to hire me. Then I met this fabulous group of friends who've became more like family."
Silas leans toward me, listening intently, like he's taking in every detail. "Tell me about your friends."
I can't help but smile at this demand. "Most of them I met through work, but a few more ladies have joined recently. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get to meet them soon. How is Smith? Have you told him about us?"
He clears his throat and his lips twitch. Is he nervous? "Smith is good. He plays professional hockey, actually not too far from here. But unfortunately, he'll be moving to Texas after the off season."
The need to comfort him becomes overwhelming at the small bit of sadness I detect in his tone. Rubbing my thumb slowly across his knuckles, I stare down where we're connected. Steeling my spine, I decide to lay it all out for him. "Silas, did you tell Smith about us?"
Right when the question leaves my mouth, the server shows up once again with our food. We part our hands as he places the plates in front of us. My mouth waters, it looks so delicious and I'm glad that Silas ordered for us. As we move to eat, the conversation continues to flow, but I notice he doesn't bring up Smith again. And neither do I.
When the conversation naturally goes to the hospital, I ask, "Why did you decide to buy the hospital?"
He drops his utensils and gives me his full attention. Its intense. "I can only tell you so much, but the hospital was hurting financially. I was approached about privatizing it." His voice drops once again when his mouth lifts into a sexy smirk. "I didn't know you worked at the hospital until the day I saw you. It was the best surprise."
I can't help but smile back at him. The need to kiss him is suddenly overwhelming, but the end of dinner moves quickly, allowing me to hold back. I still have my guard up slightly because I don't want my heart to break again. Especially if he hasn't said anything to Smith. Silas escorts me outside and as he talks with the valet, I take a chance looking up at the sky. A shooting start skates across and I internally wish that this all works out with Silas.
When the valet brings the car around, Silas opens the passenger door for me. Dropping in the seat, I smooth out my dress. "Thanks."
He says nothing, just gives me that signature smirk that makes my panties damp. Pulling out onto the road, he places his hand on my thigh. As soon as he makes contact, my body lights up, ready for whatever comes next. Through the entire drive, he lightly caresses the exposed skin. I don't even attempt to make conversation. With every touch I seem to lose any working cell in my brain. Instead, my nipples pebble getting tighter with every stroke.
Needing him to touch me more, I slowly spread my legs, to give him better access. Silas seems to take the hint because he slides his hand farther up my thigh stopping short of where I need him. His touch never deepens, it just stays soft and slow, driving me fucking crazy. I was so distracted by the way Silas was touching me I didn't even realize how far we had driven until he's pulling into my driveway.
The fog of desire lifts enough for me to remember his son and how Silas had avoided the subject when I brought it up at dinner. I go to close my legs, but his hand grips my thigh, preventing me. When I look over at him, I can tell he's just as turned on as I am. His pupils are so dilated that his eyes are mostly black, just a slight ring of green.
I need to know before I let this go any further. Taking a deep breath and gathering my strength, I blurt out every burning question that has been on the tip of my tongue most of the night. "What are we doing? Are you ready to date? And what about Smith? Because he told me explicitly that he wouldn't allow me to date you, and I'd barely showed interest back then. How is this going to work?"
Silence hangs between us for a second but it's long enough for all the negative thoughts I have about myself to run through my mind. Most of them are the same ones that Smith told me years ago. I thought I had worked through them, but apparently, they've come back in full force.
A tear escapes, and I try to turn away, bracing myself for the inevitable. Silas grabs my jaw, forcing me to look right at him. "Don't cry, little doe. Those are all good questions let me answer them for you. Yes, I'm ready to date. But not just date, I'm ready for a partner. That's you. Now for Smith, I told him I'm ready to move on. He doesn't know that it's you, but I'll take care of that. You're the one for me, Kimberly."
His declaration has me softly smiling at him. I know what I need. This time I'm going to take it, especially knowing that he feels the same. "Silas, would you like to come inside?"
"I would love to."