Chapter 22
DANIEL
The reserved parking spot underground didn’t faze Summer.
She said nothing about the private elevator that’s reserved only for the penthouse.
But . . . I feel exposed when the elevator door opens, and we’re greeted by the expansive view of the city and the Statue of Liberty in the distance.
Not because I don’t get a high every time I see it, because I still do.
It’s a daily reminder of what I’ve accomplished.
I don’t want anything to change between us when she experiences my lifestyle, though. I get that it will be a shock. But I’ve never lied to her. So I’m nervous about how she’ll react.
“We’re here,” I say.
“Why so ominous?” She laughs, but I spot her nerves in the breaks of it.
If I weren’t carrying our luggage, I’d hold her hand. “Not ominous.” I take a breath just as the door slides open. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Her eyes pivot forward through the golden light flooding into the elevator. She doesn’t move. Not one step is taken, though her mouth hangs wide open. I set a bag down and lift her chin. “We’re here,” I say, hinting at next steps.
The elevator door starts to close, spurring her into action. “Oh.” She hops off, throwing her hand in front of the door to hold it open for me. Giving me the sweetest smile that I hoped would travel with us from Mountain Laurel Cove, she says, “That was close.”
My smirk is automatic, shoulders relaxing as she spins in a circle in the entry. Saving me isn’t something she realizes she’s done, but I’m beginning to believe she has and not just from the elevator closing on me. “Make yourself at home.”
When she turns around, the light doesn’t just shine on her face.
Her entire body seems to lift in a breath of air.
“This isn’t a home.” She peeks at me. “It’s like a hotel.
” Rushing forward, she heads straight to the windows.
She’s about to press her hands to the glass but stops herself. “I’m afraid to touch anything.”
“Don’t be,” I say, setting the bags down at the opening to the hall.
I walk to her. “Everything is replaceable except you.” Wrapping myself around the back of her, I rest my chin on top of her head and appreciate the view.
When I dip my head to the side and kiss her temple, she eases into me, wrapping her arms over mine.
“You’re doing a good job of getting me into bed, ya big charmer.”
“I wasn’t even trying. That’s just my skills, Sunshine. Wait until you see me on the ice. It gets really good then.”
Turning in my arms, she slips her arms around my neck and leans back to catch my eyes. “When will I get to see you in action?”
I grab her by the waist, tossing her over my shoulder under squeals of laughter, and start back toward the bedroom. “Now’s a good time.”
“Daniel!” She flails in laughter, arching her back with her impressive ab control. Collapsing over me, she smacks my ass as hard as she can by the energy she puts into it. “Romance.” She cracks up, unable to hold a straight face, and sends her laughter bouncing off the walls.
Spinning her down to her feet, I slide my hand around the side of her neck, holding her hip with the other. “You want romance?”
“What girl doesn’t want romance?” Her lids are heavier, her blinks slower as she melts in my arms.
“I can give you romance.” I kiss her because she deserves a good start to this night, and she deserves to be appreciated after the silliness of before.
Her hands slide over my shoulders, bringing me closer to her. When I pull back even a millimeter, she says, “I’m suddenly wishing we didn’t have plans.”
“I can cancel.”
A soft laugh and matching smile have her holding on as she leans back farther in my arms to look at me. “We only get one shot at this, remember?”
I’m not sure if I find it sexy that she’s quoting me or impressed that she used it against me. Both. I nod. “I remember. We’ll pick up where we’re leaving off later?”
“Something to look forward to.”
Leading her into the bedroom, I catch the time. Traffic was worse than expected, pushing us to arrive at the event sooner rather than kicking back and chilling together. “Do you have a dress?” I ask. “Like a dressy one?”
I’m not sure if that’s horror I see in her eyes, but she rapidly blinks before her gaze shoots out the window and ricochets back to me. “I have a dress. I packed two. How dressy?”
I pull my phone from my pocket and find the invitation. Showing it to her, I say, “Medium?”
Her eyes flick from the phone, then she grabs it from me to read for herself. Flashing the screen in my direction, she says, “I don’t have anything that would work for this attire.” Her arm flails out. “Do you have a tuxedo lying around?”
“Not lying but hanging in my closet.”
Shaking her head, she says, “Of course, you do.” A heavy sigh leaves her chest weighted down. “Why would you not tell me? My sisters had options. I have nothing in my suitcase that works for formal attire.”
“You don’t need to worry. Let me make a call.”
“It’s that easy, huh?” She sits on the bed and flops backward, a moan of ecstasy escaping her. Rubbing her arms over the blanket, she says, “How is it possible to have this perfect mix of soft and firm in one mattress?”
“It heats too, which is great for my muscles and recovery after a game or getting home from traveling.” I scroll to favorites in my phone and call the building’s concierge. “Ray, it’s Daniel Sutton.”
“Good evening, sir. How are you?” He’s always chipper, which I appreciate.
“Good. Good. How are you?” I return to the living room to finish the call. Money isn’t something I want piling up between us. Beside us is a different story . . .
“I’m doing fine this evening. How may I help you?”
I walk to the kitchen and back, keeping a steady pace. “My date and I have a last-minute event tonight. She needs a dress that fits for formal attire. Any suggestions?”
“Let me make some calls,” he replies without hesitation. “I’ll ring you right back.”
“Thank you.” I hang up and return to the bedroom, where I find Summer sitting cross-legged in the middle of the mattress, staring out the picture window. “Hey there.”
She looks over with a smile blooming as soon as she sees me. “I’d never turn on the TV if I lived here. There’s so much to see.” She climbs off the bed. “Do you sleep with the shades open?”
“No. I don’t want to get up with the sun,” I reply but realize she never closes the blinds on the small window in her room. And it hasn’t bothered me at all. I’ve pulled her back into my arms at daybreak when I found her awake. “We can leave them open if you want.”
“I’d like that.” She slips off the bed and comes to me. Fisting my shirt, she lifts on her toes and asks, “So what are we doing about the attire?”
My phone rings. Holding it up, I reply, “We’re about to find out. Hello?”
“It’s Ray, Mr. Sutton. I have great news.
I’ve organized a car to take your date to A La Maison in Soho.
They’ll have makeup and hair ready to receive her as well.
How much time will she need before she leaves?
” I look at her, wondering if this is more than she’d want.
Covering the phone, I ask, “There’s a shop that has dresses.
They’ll do makeup and hair unless you prefer to do it yourself. ”
She hops up. “Sign me up. Do I have time to shower first?”
I nod, still covering the phone. “Yes. Twenty minutes?”
She hustles toward the bathroom. “I’ll be ready.”
“Twenty minutes. Thank you, Ray.” When she closes the door, I lower my voice and add, “Make sure everything is charged to my card. She’ll try to pay. Don’t let her.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Thank you again.”
“My pleasure, Mr. Sutton. Have a good evening.”
“You, too.” He more than earns a holiday bonus every year because he never lets me down. With everything set up, I pour a glass of bourbon. I don’t like events that require a tux, but since I’m not driving and have no clue what the plan is tonight, I need a drink.
Summer pads down the hall with bare legs and feet, a “fresh from the sea” tee that I have no fucking idea what that means, and looking fucking gorgeous.
I don’t see the woman I’ve been falling for from a small town where I found myself spending the summer.
I see my tonight, my tomorrow when I wake up, and my future.
My chest tightens as she comes to me and climbs onto my lap.
“Thank you for setting this up for me.” The image of my future wrapped up in this woman still has me in a chokehold, and I struggle to speak.
She bends and kisses my cheek. A burst of excitement bubbles up, sending her to her feet.
“I’ve got to run, but I’m so excited about tonight. ”
“So am I.” I follow her back to the bedroom as she pulls on a pair of shorts. “I’ll pick you up from the store.”
She slips on her sneakers. Looking up at me, she nods. “I don’t know what time I’ll be ready.”
“Don’t worry. It’s handled.” I walk with her to the door. “You just enjoy yourself.”
Turning suddenly, she takes my hand. “I will.” Lifting to kiss me again, she says, “Miss me, okay?”
“I already do.”
Holding hands, we walk to the elevator. I push the button. “Select the lobby button. Ray will help from there.” The door opens since it waits where it was left. I grab her and kiss her like it’s the last time, but when our tongues mingle, it still feels exciting and new.
She pulls away, leaving me breathless as I watch her back into the elevator. She pushes the button and looks back at me. I shove my hands in my pockets, the emptiness of my arms reminding me how I was lucky enough to hold her. “See you later, Sunshine.”
Lifting her hand, she waves. “I’ll see you later, Sutton.”
The door closes, cutting between us, and leaving me staring at a silver door instead of her beautiful face.