19. Chapter Nineteen ~ Chris
Chapter Nineteen ~ Chris
Sitting here with her, in the low light, it’s hard to keep my mind on the important things. Or rather, my mind is only on the important things.
Her.
The baby.
They’re all I can think about.
Staring at her, remembering the way she looked just last night and this morning, the way she felt in my arms. Her stomach is just barely starting to show. Enough that if you were looking you’d know. But to an outsider, they’d have no idea.
Yet I’m proud of the way she looks. So unbelievably proud of the fact that she’s carrying my baby and that I can tell, even just a little.
As I look at her sitting across the room from me I’m struck by just how amazing she is. Everything about her that’s been driving me crazy for so long seems to converge on me all at once and I sit up straighter.
“Go out with me.”
“What?” She looks startled and I can’t really blame her. After all, it wasn’t really a question. And it was quite abrupt at that.
“Would you go on a date with me?” I try again and she stares for a very long time. In fact, she stares at me for so long and with such an unreadable expression on her face that I’m sure she’s going to say no. But then she gives me a hesitant smile and it’s like the sun bursting through the clouds.
My heart skips a beat and I have to take a deep breath to get control of myself. Because that smile … I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way about anyone before.
“I think the weather is a little inclement,” she replies with a teasing lilt to her voice and once again I’m smiling despite myself.
“We’ll go when it breaks. You’ll get dressed up. Wear your best clothes. I’ll take you somewhere you deserve,” I promise and she looks startled yet again, though she’s still smiling.
In fact, it takes another couple days before the storm clears up entirely and everything is back to normal. And then it’s another couple days before she has one off. Because no matter what I say or how hard I try, I can’t get her to call in just for me. She insists on going to work.
But finally, finally, it’s the day of our date and I am fully prepared to spoil her. Which starts with a new dress.
I have the staff put it on her bed during the day while she’s out, so she can’t miss it when she gets home. And as soon as I see her in it, it’s worth every penny that I spent and then some.
“You look gorgeous,” I tell her, pulling her into my arms so I can give her a quick kiss. But the feel of her body under the silky material of the short dress, and the taste of her lips under mine are too much for me. I find myself immediately swept under her spell, wanting more, needing more.
“I thought we were going out?” she says finally, breaking away from me to take a deep breath.
I reluctantly step back, though my body is practically throbbing with wanting her.
“You’re right. Of course.” So I take her hand and lead her out of the house and to the car, opening the door for her and taking another moment to myself to catch my breath before I climb in the driver’s side and head into the city.
“Where are we going?” she asks, looking excited and anxious all at once.
“Townsend’s,” I reply and her eyes widen in shock. “Have you been?”
“Absolutely not!” she retorts. “It costs more than my life is worth just to get in the door.”
It is a rather exclusive place. But I don’t think for a moment that anyone in there can hold a candle to her.
“Well, you’re getting in now,” I reply and before long we’re pulling up to the door.
The valet opens the door for Emma, who looks startled beyond belief at the young man who is openly gaping at her in the figure-hugging black dress.
A stern look from me and he quickly straightens up, however, taking my keys and offering a stiff nod of the head before he drives off with the car.
Emma doesn’t notice any of it because she’s still staring around at the exterior of the building, never mind the inside, when I take her waist and lead her gently through the door.
“It’s gorgeous,” she gushes quietly, staring around at everything in amazement and I’m pleased that I chose to bring her here. Pleased that I get to experience this with her for the first time. Though that bright smile is certainly not lost on anyone here.
Everyone, from the other patrons to the waitstaff, is staring at her and I can’t really blame them.
She’s gorgeous and sexy as hell in the dress I picked out for her. And her pure and obvious pleasure; well, it’s enough to make anyone want to smile. A fact that isn’t missed by many of the other women in here that are trying to keep the attention of their own partners who are distracted by that brilliant smile and bright eyes.
“What can I get you to drink?”
I skim over the wine list that I’m presented with and locate the small selection of non-alcoholic options, ordering the best of the bunch for us.
The way that the waiter’s eyebrows draw together implies that he’s confused but he doesn’t say anything, simply hurrying away to bring us the wine and glasses.
“I can’t drink wine,” Emma says, giving me a look that I can only characterize as being an admonishment.
“It’s not alcoholic,” I reply and she looks pleased as the waiter brings it back and pours us each a glass before leaving the bottle at the table.
“We’re ready. We’ll have the lobster and two of your best steaks, medium.”
He nods quickly, inclines his head to Emma, and hurries away, leaving her to stare at me with a bemused expression.
“Lobster and steak?”
“It also comes with parmesan truffle potatoes,” I reply but she only seems overwhelmed by the entire experience. Even more so when the food arrives and she has a chance to see the beauty of it in all its glory. And then taste it, which is even better.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had anything this amazing in my life,” she admits. “But don’t tell my mother that.”
“Your secret is safe with me,” I reply, though I almost want to mention that I’ve never met her mother. A fact that rankles slightly but I push the thought aside. She’s only recently met my mother so who am I to say that I should already have met hers?
For now, I push the thoughts aside and try to focus on what’s happening right in front of me. Which is Emma greatly enjoying the meal that’s been placed before her.
By the time we’ve finished the meal and dessert she’s looking even more relaxed. The conversation flows easily between us now and every time I hear her speak I feel myself hanging on her every word. Wanting to know as much as I possibly can about her. Because I’m suddenly aware of the fact that I know very little.
“Come, let’s take a walk,” I tell her, leading her from the restaurant and down the boardwalk.
It’s beautiful this time of night. The buildings on the opposite side of the river are just starting to turn their lights on. And those lights reflect off the water. The stars are just starting to glisten up above; it’s exactly the atmosphere that I want for this night.
And the musician down the way that I’ve hired for just this occasion certainly doesn’t hurt.
“Oh!” She’s startled again, standing and staring out at the water, captivated. And when we finally make it to the music, she leans against me with an almost blissful experience on her face. “This has been absolutely wonderful,” she says finally, looking up at me with those sparkling eyes.
Her lips part slightly and I can’t help but lean forward, claiming her mouth yet again. Claiming her.
“Ahh, Emma,” her name escapes me practically on a sigh and all I can think of is getting her back home and claiming her entirely. It’s not what I had intended for tonight. I meant for tonight to be more like a first date. More romantic. But with Emma …
I drag her to me, my arms wrapped around her, holding her as tightly as I possibly can, mindless of the fact that others can see and are walking down the boardwalk as well, but no one says anything, simply skirting around us silently.
Emma is the one to come to her senses first, stepping back with a blush that only makes her look that much more adorable, and desirable.
“Let’s go,” I manage to get out though my voice is gruff with desire.
She doesn’t hesitate, simply takes my hand and gives me a smile, half tugging me along as she also hurries back toward the restaurant and the car we left behind.
We barely make it into the car before we’re making out like teenagers, reaching across the center console to get another taste, another touch before I forcefully jerk myself away to drive back to the house. And then it’s a battle of wills as we each fight for dominance.
Her hands are just as frantic all over my body as my own are. And I can’t seem to stop touching her. Every inch of her. Those hips, those breasts. Every bit of her is so good. So amazing.
“Touch me, Baby Girl,” I practically growl out and her hands are at the button of my pants in an instant, dragging them down my legs so her hand can close around my hard cock, making me groan even louder.
“Is this what you wanted?” She teases but her hands keep doing the same thing and all I can do is groan, my head falling back at the feeling of her hands on me. At least, for a moment, because I don’t want to stop what I’m doing either.
Laying her back down on the bed feels right. Claiming her body with my own feels even more so. And I know in that moment, more than any other time, that I’m lost.