CHAPTER TEN #3
We spend the rest of the time talking about the verdict of my case that I won today.
Everly tells me about some of the clients she had today, and I want more than anything to tell her she can’t have male clients anymore but refrain.
I know that’ll be a battle I won’t win, especially if she tries to say I can’t have female clients as well.
I trust her implicitly but it’s the male population that I don’t trust. Just one look at her and I was thinking about doing the dirtiest things to that sweet body.
I can only imagine what others think about when she’s massaging them.
As we pull up to Osteria Mozza, paparazzi are everywhere. Someone famous must be dining here too. When we exit the car, with Dale’s help, we’re bombarded with flashing lights and questions before we can make it to the entrance.
“Mr. Thorne, how does it feel to have another win under your belt?”
“Mr. Thorne, is your date the next up and coming model?”
“Mr. Thorne, how does Linley Lewis feel about your new female companion?”
I ignore them all, hoping Dale can navigate through the mob as I keep a death grip on her shoulder and try to shield her from all the lights. Why the fuck do they keep bringing Linley up?
“Mr. Thorne, we’re sorry for the inconvenience. We had two professional athletes come in about ten minutes ago,” the hostess says and immediately moves us to the other side of the restaurant, away from prying eyes and unwanted flashing lights.
As we pass other diners, my eyes lock on the two athletes who must’ve caused the mob outside. Both of whom are my clients, and who’ve been in trouble on several occasions, that I’ve had to pull their asses out of.
“Lincoln Thorne, good to see you man.” Justin Taft, the shortstop of LA’s MLB baseball team says, and stands to greet me.
“Justin,” I say, shaking his hand. “It’s good that I haven’t seen you in a while.”
He laughs as Kirk Captains, the first baseman, stands to do the same.
“And who’s the little lady?” Kirk says homing in on Everly, who looks starstruck.
Damnit.
Laying claim to Everly, I place my arm possessively around her waist and squeeze her to my side.
“This is my girlfriend, Everly.”
Kirk lifts an eyebrow, then nods his understanding. These ball players have no shame in hooking women. It’s a different girl every night of the week, even on the road. I’ll ruin Kirk if he even tries to make a move on Everly.
“Nice to meet you, Everly. What’s a beautiful woman like you doing with a workaholic like this guy?” He jokes and much to my dismay, Everly laughs as they shake hands.
“I guess I have a sweet spot for dedicated men then. Linc is the best man I’ve ever met.” She looks up at me and gives me the dreamiest eyes. Her statement makes me want to beat on my chest like a gorilla, then roar like a lion.
“We’ll let you get back to your date. It was nice to see you again Lincoln, call us sometime and we’ll go golfing or something,” Justin says and lets us pass.
When we reach our table, I pull out Everly’s chair but before she sits, she gives me a peck on the lips. I didn’t know I was wound up until she pressed her lips to mine; that calmed my body immediately. She has the effect on me where she drives me wild but can turn around and soothe me.
We’re given the menu, as our waiter was already at our table waiting before we sat down.
“Welcome to Osteria Mozza, my name is Anthony and I’ll be serving you tonight. What drinks can I start you both out with?”
This place is amazing but when I look over, I can see Everly struggling with the menu.
She leans over and whispers, “Please pick whatever you want, I don’t even know where to begin at a place like this.”
I reach over and take the menu from her hands and give it to Anthony. I’ve been with Everly long enough to select food that I know she’ll love.
“Don’t worry I’ll make sure you love every bite.”
I tell the waiter our drink selection, then our order for the meal. I choose several dishes because I want Everly to try each one.
“We’ll get this order out to you as soon as we can,” Anthony says, then retreats towards the kitchen.
“Thank you.” Everly shifts in her seat.
“You don’t have to thank me. I’d do anything for you.” My hand reaches over the white tablecloth and finds hers twisting around the stem of her water glass. She’s nervous but I plan to make this as comfortable as possible.
Dinner was amazing but I think it had everything to do with the company I was keeping.
We’re on our way to my penthouse and a sense of nerves has taken up residence in my belly.
Any other time I might think something was wrong with the food I ate but I know it’s what’s coming next that has me wanting to jump out of the moving car.
“Everything okay?” Everly asks, placing her soft, dainty hand over mine as Dale turns into the parking garage of my building.
Why does this feel like I’m the virgin here? Get a grip Thorne before she asks about my man card.
“Never better, angel.” I kiss her knuckles as Dale opens her door and helps her out.
We walk to the elevator hand in hand, and I notice that her palms feel slightly damp. She’s just as nervous as I am.
“We don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”
Everly lets off a nervous laugh, something I’ve learned over the last few weeks she does to try to alleviate the tension.
The elevator reaches the top and opens to my door, without thinking I bend down and scoop her up in my arms.
“Ah! What are you doing Linc?” She squeals and locks her arms around my neck. Her smile is back and that was exactly what I was aiming for.
“I thought I’d carry you over the threshold.” I playfully bounce her weightless body.
“That’s for married couples,” she says, and I stop in the middle of the doorway.
Married couples? I’ve thought a lot about marriage ever since meeting this angel, and it sounds natural when I think of the two of us.
“I think that has a nice ring to it, don’t you?”
“What?” Her eyes widen. “Linc, we just met. Don’t you think it’s a little soon to be talking about this subject?”
“It’s never too soon for that topic, but if you wish we’ll shelve this discussion for future negotiations.
” Everly seems to relax, and I make a mental note to push the topic after I’ve got her naked and in a sex coma.
She won’t be able to put up a fuss after an earth-shattering orgasm.
I wonder if she ever thought of a Vegas wedding.
If she agreed, I’d waste no time in flying us over there and getting hitched tonight if that meant tying her to me for the rest of my life.
Coming home every night to her beautiful face would be a nice change, instead of an empty apartment.
“Linc,” she groans.
I walk us in and see that Tina has outdone herself.
The place looks amazing, as vases of roses cover the apartment.
Candles are lit and they lead towards my bedroom.
The room where I plan on making Everly all mine, body and soul.
I really want to tell her how I feel tonight, and I just hope she’s at the same point in our relationship as I am.
“This is beautiful, did you do all this?” Everly asks as she takes in her surroundings.
“I had Tina set it up, but I told her what I was wanting,” I admit and kiss her hairline.
I still haven’t placed her down on her feet because I don’t want to lose this connection we’ve got going on right now.
I feel like we’re one when we’re touching, and that is something I’ve never felt with another person.
The walk down the hall to the bedroom is just as decorated as the rest of the place. When I open the door, we’re met with the same candles, roses and petals all over the room, letting off a floral scent. Everly lets out a giggle and I can’t help but be concerned that I’ve overdone tonight.
“You don’t like it?” I hesitantly ask.
“No, that’s not it at all, but I can’t help but think that the fire alarm is about to go off with all the candles burning.”
She’s right and the last thing I want is any interruptions for the rest of the evening.
“You’re right. How about you blow out some of the ones in here while I take care of the living room.”
“Deal.” Her smile alone could light up a dark room and I love it.
I love her.
Gently, I set her on her feet, then whirl around to hurry and blow out all the flames. Man, how long did it take for Tina to light all of these? I wonder as I make my way from each one; there has to be at least a hundred.
Once I’ve made sure each one is out and not going to burn us down, I make my way back to the bedroom.
This isn’t the first time I’ve had Everly in my bed but it’s the first time that we’ll be making love, so I give myself a good pep talk before entering the room.
She’s standing at the end of the bed, and I can’t help but watch her like a stalker.
“All done?” Everly asks as I stand against the door frame. She’s blown out all but the last candle on the nightstand.
“Yeah,” I say and glide across the floor until I reach her.
“Did you change the bedding in here or am I imagining things?” She points to bed, and I love how observant she is.
I did change the bedding and the sheets, along with the mattress and pillows.
The things I did before and the people who were before her don’t belong in the same room as Everly.
I wanted to make sure I had a clean slate when I brought Everly to bed for our first time.
I also changed the color of the paint on the walls.
After being in her apartment and seeing how cozy she had everything decorated, I wanted my space I shared with her to have the same feeling.
No longer does the room have a cold and sterile feel, but now it has a warm and inviting vibe to it.
“I did,” I admit. “I want this to be a fresh new start for the both of us and our relationship.”