“That’s good to know. She’s like a daughter to me,” Mom says.
I hate to leave, but there’s so much to do.
“We have to head out, Mom, but I’ll see you next Monday.”
We say our goodbyes and head home. Damon looks relaxed and carefree.
“What did you think of my family?”
“I love your family. I can see why you are you. They lay it out there. Your brother is funny, and I’m happy to invite him to the grand opening. Is he dating anyone? I only ask for invitation purposes.”
“Thanks for clarifying. I’d hate to be tossed aside for my brother,” I tease. “He’s not a dating kind of guy. He’s still in his trying-everyone-out phase. One day he’ll find the right guy and settle down, but until then, I think we can all agree he’s a man-whore.”
“How did you get to twenty-three unscathed?”
“My mom said to take care of myself, and if I give myself to a man, I should make sure he’s worthy of me. I wish I could say the first two were, but I don’t lie. I had nothing to compare their worth to until I met you.”
“Let’s go by your place and get some of your things so you can stay with me. The last two nights have been amazing, and I don’t want to be without you. What do you say? Bring your laundry and your gown. My housekeeper can take care of all that for you.”
“You have a housekeeper?”
“Yes, she comes in Monday through Friday. If you stay tonight, you can meet her in the morning. She’ll be thrilled to have something else to do.”
“How many of your sleepovers has she met?”
“I don’t have sleepovers. You’re the first and only woman who’s been in my house besides my mom and Claire, the housekeeper. It’s like my tree house. Entrance is by personal invite only.”
That comes as quite a surprise. I’m the only woman who’s slept in his bed, showered in his shower, and sat at his breakfast bar. I smile, knowing that for whatever reason, I made it on Damon’s VIP list.
“Where did you have sex before me?” I hope he doesn’t say in the booth at a restaurant. I want those moments we shared to be something special, not something he does with all the girls.
“Mostly hotels, sometimes their places. Back then, it was purely physical. Now it’s for survival. What do you say? Will you stay?”
“I’ll stay if we can revisit the scarf and heels?”
“Deal. I have a few ideas for those.” He waggles his brows in a comedic gesture.
“I was thinking about the book. What would you say if I wanted to try some things from it?” Experimenting with Damon doesn’t scare me.
“I told you earlier I’m always open to experimentation. Just don’t ask me to abuse you.”
“There’s no risk of that, but I thought we could write the things interesting to us down on a piece of paper and put them in a bag. Each time we meet, we pick one and try it. What do you think?”
“I’m in. We have about one hundred and fifty pages left in the book, so let’s agree to do fifty pages a week so we can finish in three weeks.”
“Are you in a hurry?” I ask.
“Yes, I want to get to the little pieces of paper.”
I shake my head. “I don’t know how I ended up at this place with you, but I’m glad I’m here. The day you picked me up for the hospital benefit, you looked right through me. I didn’t think you found me attractive at all. What changed your mind?”
“I looked over and saw the most beautiful woman dressed in red, and you took my breath away. When we entered the car and your dress rode up your leg, I was speechless. You have incredible legs. I stared at you all night, wondering what it was about you that was different.”
“Did you ever figure it out?”
“I have a theory. I think the universe brought you to me. All sorts of things happened to put you in my path, and I can’t ignore that. Have you wondered why you haven’t met the right person yet?”
“Because I was waiting for you?” My answer sounds more like a question than a statement. “I think we’re meant for each other.” We sit in contemplative silence for the duration of the trip.
At my house, I pack a few things and leave a note on the table for Em. I tuck Bound into my bag before we go.
Snuggled on his tan leather couch, he reads Bound while I put the finishing touches on my term paper.
He startles me when he jumps up and races to the kitchen, only to return with two pens and two notepads. He slides next to me, and I watch him write note after note, folding each in half when he finishes.
“Are you having fun yet, Mr. Noble?”
“Not yet, but I plan to once we start our book review. I’m warming up to your idea of doing things by the book.”
“Should I be scared?”
“You should be terrified,” he says, repeating the words I told him earlier. The corners of his mouth tip into a smile.
He closes his book and leaves me to read on my own while he checks email and makes a few phone calls from his office. Forty minutes later, he’s back with two glasses of wine and a sexy smirk.
“How’s the book coming?” he asks. “Did you read anything interesting?”
I pick up a handful of notes to show him how busy I’ve been. He disappears and returns with a Ziploc storage bag. Placed in the bag, our sexual fantasies are zipped tight for future use.
“Let’s go upstairs. I ran a bath and thought we can enjoy it together before we go to bed.”
Bubbles pop and candles flicker while I sip my wine and relax against Damon.
“I want to do this every night with you.” He cups a handful of water and drizzles it over my breasts. “Move your things in and share my world.”
Who is this man behind me? Two months ago, he didn’t date. He didn’t have relationships, and he wasn’t looking to have someone share his world.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say, yes. We’re good together.”
“I’d love to say yes, but I can’t. Not right now. I need to give Emma time to find a new roommate and figure out what I’ll do to support myself. I’ve barely gotten used to the idea of being your girlfriend.” I turn to face him, but water sloshes out of the tub, and I stay put. “There’s nothing I want more than to be with you every minute of every day, but I’m not willing to give up my space yet. Let’s compromise. We can stay here several days a week and stay at my place several days a week. We’ll take one day each week to be on our own. I don’t want you tiring of me.”
“I’d rather have you here with me every day, but I’ll take you any way I can get you. Is there room in your closet for a few of my suits?”
“I’ll make room.” What will it feel like to have his suits next to my dresses? Sharing closet space is a huge step.
We dry off and enter the bedroom. On the bed is my red scarf. My head swings to where he stands, and I realize ‘go to bed’ didn’t mean ‘go to sleep.’ He tugs at the towel, and it drops to the floor, pooling around my feet. Naked except for a smile, he takes me to the plate-glass window and stands me in front of it. On the floor next to my feet are my black heels. I step into both and take my place in front of the window with the trees and starry night as my backdrop.