Chapter Fourteen
Piper
Magnus and I are having dinner in a swanky Seattle restaurant. I can do without these fancy places, but I do have to admit the food is mouthwatering. We’re currently in the middle of a playful debate over which superhero has the best original story. We’re on opposite sides when it comes to superheroes. I do have to admit, though, that he looks mighty fine when he dresses up as Batman.
He’s adamant that Batman’s dark, tragic past makes for the most compelling narrative, while I stand firm in my belief that Spiderman’s transformation from a regular, everyday teenager into a hero is unbeatable.
“Batman needs toys while Spiderman shoots webs from his hands. There is absolutely no comparison. Spiderman wins all the way. It’s not even close,” I tell him.
“Spiderman needs toys too. Iron Man hooked him up. He wasn’t nearly as cool without the new suit and extra powers he got from that suit. He would’ve died many times over in Avengers without it,” Magnus insists.
“Spiderman is poor and he’s still a hero. Batman has tons of money. He can buy anything to make him a superhero,” I insist.
“Now, now, Piper,” Magnus teases, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Batman lost his parents right in front of his eyes in a dark alley. He turns that pain into something powerful and beautiful. He becomes a superhero, not for fame, but because he wants to save other children from ever going through the trauma that he was forced to endure.”
I chuckle while rolling my eyes. “ Everyone has a tragic story. That doesn’t make a superhero. Spiderman was bitten by a radioactive spider and learned that with great power comes great responsibility. He had to learn it all on his own because he didn’t have any help at all for a long time. Batman had Alfred Pennyworth who was a former British special forces veteran who became not only his confidant, but his butler. The man served him and got him all of his toys. So you see, Spiderman is much more impressive, especially with how lazy teenagers are these days. It doesn’t get better than that.”
Magnus throws his head back as he laughs. “I can’t argue with lazy teenagers. I also think it’s pretty damn adorable how much you like to root for the underdog.”
“For someone to rise above is always impressive to me. I’ll always root for the underdog and help them in any way I possibly can.”
Before he can respond a shadow falls over our table. I look up to see a stunning woman standing beside us. She looks like a supermodel and I instantly wonder what she’s doing here. Her presence is magnetic, drawing the attention of everyone in this intimate setting. She’s certainly not a server . . . and her eyes are burning a hole in Magnus. I instantly want to scratch her eyes out even if I don’t realize why. I never dislike someone at first sight.
Before either Magnus or I can say anything, she leans down, and without pause, kisses Magnus on the cheek. Now , I have a reason to dislike her. He immediately backs up, surprise and irritation flashing across his face. My smile fades as I gaze at this daring woman who doesn’t seem to care that I’m sitting across from Magnus on an obvious date.
“Hello, Vanessa,” Magnus says, his voice tight. He looks over at me, his eyes filled with apology. “Piper, this is Vanessa.” The words are so cold. I haven’t heard this tone in his voice for over a year, that first time I met him. I don’t like this shift in him, don’t like the heavy atmosphere this woman is bringing to our table.
Vanessa’s gaze sweeps over me, her lips curving into a smirk as she looks me over, obviously not impressed. She clearly finds me lacking and unimportant. I don’t normally care what people like her think of me, but in this moment, I’m feeling a little self-conscious. This is far more the type of woman I can picture Magnus with. They’re both gorgeous, both showstoppers, and clearly this woman is a part of the elite club of Seattle. I can’t compete with this sort of class . . . and I don’t want to. It’s all so fake and plastic.
She doesn’t bother to acknowledge me. “I’ve missed you, Magnus. You’ve been busy lately,” she purrs, her voice husky and smooth as if she’s worked on the tone for years. Everything about this woman screams sex and sophistication.
“You need to move on, Vanessa. I’m clearly on a date,” Magnus tells her, ice in his eyes.
She doesn’t even flinch at his words. She briefly glances at me again, not at all worried about my presence. She gives Magnus a sultry look. “Our last date was amazing. I can’t stop thinking about it and have been waiting for night number two.” I don’t miss her emphasis on the word night . Clearly, he’s slept with this woman. My first thought is to think how can he be with me after being with someone as perfect as her, but I force this thought right out of my head.
She might be beautiful, but she’s clearly fake and plastic. It would be like having sex with a doll. How good can that possibly be? Magnus and I might not be perfect for each other, but I have no doubt that our sex life is out of this world. He can’t be faking his desire for me, and after about six weeks, he’s still insatiable. She can be the most beautiful woman in the world, but that doesn’t mean they have chemistry together. I need to remember this, and not allow this woman to cause a rift between us which would clearly make her happy.
I glance at Magnus who gives me another apologetic look, a bit of worry in his eyes. His expression once again hardens as he turns back to Vanessa. His voice is so cold I don’t need ice in my water glass. “We had a single date, Vanessa, and there’s a reason I haven’t called you again. I’ve been with Piper for months now, and I’m very happy in my relationship. I asked you to leave, and I’ll insist on you respecting this. It’s not a question. If you don’t want a scene, then turn around and walk away.”
Even though his words give me a boost of confidence, I’m still having to fight a slight feeling of insecurity. The woman is so damn beautiful, and she knows it. She’s well aware that nearly every man in this room wouldn’t mind having her on his arm as he walks into a place. I’m far from ugly, but I’m not going to be starring in anyone’s wet dreams tonight. That’s a thought I never thought I’d have, and I’m a bit ashamed about it. I don’t want to be in some sickos wet dreams. I want to be me and not have to worry about looking perfect every time I step out the door. Looks will eventually fade no matter how beautiful a person is. I’d rather be real than have to put on a show.
I look at Vanessa, refusing to bow my head. I see when her smile falters, though she quickly tries to cover it up. She sticks her chest out a bit more and runs her hand down her tiny waist and luscious hips. “You’ll call,” she says with surety before glancing my way again, only briefly. “As soon as playtime ends, you know where you belong. I might or might not be around.” She then turns and confidently strides away, many heads turning to watch her walk. I wonder what it would be like to know all eyes are on you as you enter and exit a room. I don’t think I want to find out.
Magnus reaches across the table and grabs my hand, pulling my attention right back to him. “Please, please, don’t let that terrible person ruin our night. It’s been wonderful. I went on one date with her months before I met you. I was bored to pieces and couldn’t wait for the date to end. I’ve never once felt that way with you.”
I give him a subdued smile and nod as I take a big breath. “I’m fine, Magnus. I know we come from two different worlds. I’m not going to lie and say that was fun, but you run in circles I have no hope of competing with. I like who I am, though.” I hate this tiny piece of insecurity filling me right now. I don’t want to be that woman, don’t want to be anything like her, but it would be nice to have that much confidence.
He studies my face for a long moment, his brows furrowed. “Piper, I love being with you. I love that we laugh together, that you make me want to break away from work and live life to the fullest. I love how I feel when I’m with you. I’ve never had that with any other woman. Women like Vanessa are plastic. They’re raised to be nothing more than candy for a man to show off. Her beauty is fake and put on her every morning as she spends three hours decorating her face, and months in hospitals getting plastic surgery. You are real. You are beautiful. There’s zero comparison.”
His words fill me with confidence. He’s gazing at me with such intensity, there’s no doubt he’s speaking from the heart. I lean across the table and kiss him very briefly, aware that all eyes are most likely on us, wondering how we’re going to react to our interruption.
“Thank you, Magnus. You do make me feel beautiful. You make me feel wanted,” I tell him. He lets out a sigh of relief as he squeezes my fingers.
“That’s because you are beautiful and you’re very much wanted,” he says. He then grins. “I was going to surprise you later, but I guess I’ll share with you now. I’m taking you away for the weekend to my favorite little getaway. It will be nice to get out of the city with no chance of running into anyone from our pasts.”
I love that he says our pasts. There’s not going to be any supermodels interrupting us at dinner that I’ve previously dated. I don’t call him out on this, and I feel a jolt of electricity at the thought of a weekend getaway.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
He shakes his head as he smiles. “It’s a surprise.” I love the mischievous smile he’s wearing, and the twinkle in his eyes. He sure loves being romantic, and I’m not unhappy at being the recipient of his creativity.
“You do love surprises,” I tell him.
“I didn’t used to, but for you I’m finding I love a lot of things I never thought I would before.”
We’re interrupted as the waiter comes and Magnus pays the bill. I don’t even want to look at it. I know how much these places cost. When you come to a restaurant that doesn’t have pries on the menu you know you’re in trouble. It’s nothing to a man like Magnus, but I don’t want him to think I’m here for the money. I’d be just as happy to stop at a hot dog stand. There’s something delicious about a good cart hot dog. I don’t dare say this to him as he pays the bill though.
We leave the restaurant, the cool evening air a welcome relief after the suppression of the restaurant. It’s amazing how much life a catty woman can suck from the air. I’m already starting to forget all about her, though. Magnus pulls me close as we move to the valet stand.
I lean into him, loving every moment with this person. No one, not even a woman as stunning as Vanessa, will make me feel insecure. Obviously, I’m the one Magnus is choosing to be with, just as he’s the one I want to be with. I give him a wicked smile as he climbs into the car next to me after helping me into it.
“I want to get back to our superhero debate,” I tell him, giving him a mischievous smile. “You have to acknowledge defeat. Batman can’t swing between buildings on webs shooting from his hands.”
Magnus bursts out laughing, the last of the tension from our interruption fading into the night. “Nope, I’ll never admit defeat. Batman has a Batmobile, a Batcave, and he’s a billionaire with a butler. He’s impossible to beat.”
“I disagree. Spiderman has Aunt May who cooks the best. He’s also got an entire neighborhood in love with him while Batman has empty friends and lives in a mansion all alone.” I’m realizing this is sort of a comparison between him and I. I’m not so sure I love that. Magnus is the billionaire in a lonely mansion with people who discreetly come in to clean up after him, but he also has an incredible mother and sister living on a vineyard. We might just have to call a truce.
“Do you realize how impossible you are. You don’t give up,” he tells me with a chuckle.
“You haven’t figured that out by now?” I say with a big grin.
“I’m figuring out a bit more every day.” He then leans toward me at the light. “Don’t tell anyone, but you might be changing my mind. I do like a nice meal. The aunt cooking might seal it for me.”
I laugh again, feeling light and happy. Tonight had a bump in the road for us, but that’s nothing when we have such perfect moments every other second we’re together. I wasn’t looking for a man at all, and certainly not someone like Magnus Carter, but I can’t deny how wonderful our time is together.
When we arrive at his place, I no longer see a huge mansion with no personality, I see a home I enjoy coming to. We laugh together as we make our way to our favorite room in the house where we can get lost in each other’s arms. With Magnus, I can take on the world, just like all of my favorite superheroes.