CHAPTER THREE
When I walked into his apartment, I couldn’t quite believe how luxurious it was.
‘Wow! This place is amazing.’ I smiled at Richard as I came out of the bathroom after ogling the TV that was set into the wall above the freestanding bath and the incredible ‘rainforest’ power shower that was big enough for four, never mind two people. ‘You’ve really fallen on your feet working for this company. They obviously really look after their employees.’
He shrugged nonchalantly as he shrugged off his coat. ‘I’m worth it,’ he joked with a grin.
I chuckled. ‘Of course you are. Nice new coat, by the way. Ooh, and new jeans and sweatshirt as well.’ I admired the sandy-coloured jeans and mint-green top with a slow assessing nod. ‘Very nice. I’ve been telling you for ages you’d look good in paler colours.’
‘Well, I took your advice at last. Coffee?’ He smiled questioningly and I followed him into the kitchen. ‘They don’t drink much tea here.’
‘I know. I brought teabags just in case. But looking at that fancy grinder and the even more amazing coffee machine, I think I’ve changed my mind.’ I examined the contraption in wonder. ‘Can you really make cappuccinos and hot chocolates with this thing?’
‘You really can.’
‘So does it wash the cups up afterwards and put them away in the cupboard? Because if not, I’m going to be really disappointed.’
He laughed. ‘I was thinking instant coffee for now. We can do the complete grinder-coffee machine demo tomorrow. But tonight, we have special things to do.’
‘Do we now?’ I closed my eyes and turned my face up to his for a kiss, and when his lips touched mine, a rush of glorious remembered desire tumbled through me. I was all for hauling him straight off to the bedroom, but then he drew away and with a smile, told me we had a reservation for dinner at eight, and that he had other plans for me before that.
‘I thought a stroll along Fifth Avenue before we go for dinner?’ he murmured, pulling me in for another hug. ‘You’ll love the window displays. Especially at night. And if you see something you like, we can always go back in the daytime, when they’re open.’
‘Sounds good,’ I agreed with a happy smile. Flirting a little over a lovely dinner would stoke the simmering excitement I was feeling inside... an excitement that would be fully expressed when we returned to the apartment afterwards...
‘So... why not get yourself ready while I phone work?’ he suggested. ‘And we’ll head out in about an hour, okay?’
‘Oh. Okay.’ My heart had dipped at the mention of work, although I tried not to show it. But Richard must have detected my dismay.
‘Don’t worry. I am officially on holiday.’ He shrugged apologetically. ‘It’s just I’m working with a particularly demanding client at the moment and I want to keep him sweet if I can.’
‘That’s fine.’ I reached up to kiss him. ‘It gives me time to enjoy a nice long soak in that gorgeous bath before getting ready.’
He smiled. ‘Good. I’ve said I’ll pop in to work briefly at some point, but it’ll just be for an hour or so and I’ve stipulated that. Not tomorrow, though.’
‘Hey, you do what you have to do. I mean, it’s not as if there aren’t plenty of things to do and gawp at around here. Honestly, I feel like I’ve landed right in the middle of a movie set.’ I was determined to ignore the twinge of disappointment I was feeling at his mention of work. That’s why Richard was here in New York. To do a job. And I needed to support him in that, not provide distractions. So I smiled at him. ‘You’d better make your phone call.’
‘You sure you don’t mind?’
‘No.’ I laughed at his hang-dog expression. ‘Go, go, go!’
He was true to his word and an hour later, we headed out into the city and enjoyed a lovely evening together. We’d always had different tastes in dining out. Richard adored fine dining and on special occasions, he’d think nothing of splashing out on a twelve-course ‘taster menu’. As for me, I preferred simple food cooked well with plenty of herbs and spices.
I’d been secretly hoping we weren’t going to be spending hours over a posh taster menu, which usually meant tiny portions and numerous courses. But the Italian restaurant he took me to served delicious the most delicious pasta dishes, which suited me perfectly. And even though I was dropping with tiredness by the time we left the restaurant, I was enjoying myself so much I didn’t want the evening to end.
So when we got off at the subway station close to Richard’s apartment, I suggested we call in for a nightcap at a cute bar I’d spotted on the corner of the street.
Richard frowned at his watch. ‘It’s getting late.’
‘It’s only ten-thirty.’
‘Yes... but I have lots of lovely things planned for you tomorrow so we should really get an early night. It’ll be a packed schedule tomorrow.’
‘Oh. Great.’
‘You don’t sound exactly thrilled.’ He grinned at me as he took my hand and hurried me along the windy street towards the apartment.
‘I suppose I was hoping we could have a lazy morning.’ I smiled up at him with a suggestive wiggle of my eyebrows.
He chuckled. ‘Tempting. But do you really want to come all the way to New York to see the inside of an apartment? We need to make the most of every minute, surely?’
‘I guess so.’ I squeezed his hand. He’d obviously put a lot of thought into planning what we’d do, which was lovely. So I was going to let Richard take charge while I relaxed and enjoyed myself...