This has nothing to do with my night, and everything to do with taking care of my family. “No, I’m protecting what belongs to me. I don’t want you pursuing my brother if you’re chasing Rylan.”
“I get you a job, and now you think you rule the world,” he jokes. “Give me more credit than that. I’d love to meet the drummer because he’s hot, but I’m a realist. Do you think I’d be anything more than a quickie for him? I told you, I’m looking for the one. Not the one-night stand.”
I hug him. He’s a good guy, and I feel terrible thinking his motives were less than honorable.
“I’m sorry I doubted you. So much has happened in such a small amount of time, and I’m trying to wrap my brain around everything.” I pull the invitation Damon gave me out of my bag and offer it to him. “When you see Chris today, will you give him this invitation to the grand opening?” I touch his arm. “Have a great lunch and tell him hello for me. He likes sweet tea. Just a hint in case you get there earlier than he does.”
Lunch with Damon goes well. We relax and fill the time with conversation and laughter. He regales me with stories of other openings. It’s amazing what people will do or wear. His funniest story is about a guest who wore assless chaps. After several drinks, the man stumbled and fell against the buffet table, where his bare flesh came in contact with a lit Sterno can. Zenith no longer uses open flames.
The man sued Noble Enterprises, but the judge threw the case out when he found out the man knowingly dressed in bottomless pants.
I laughed so hard when he told me the judge’s words to the plaintiff as he walked out of the courtroom were, “Watch your back … end.”
“I’m leaving early today,” I tell Damon after lunch. “I’m cooking dinner for us tonight and need to stop by the grocery store. Do you mind if I go into your house without you there?”
“You practically live there. I’ll have a key made for you.” He takes his house key from his ring and hands it to me. “Use this for now. I’ll stop by the hardware store and have one made.” He hems and haws. “Did you decide about tonight?”
“No, I’m considering your request and will let you know when you get home.” After a quick peck on his lips, I rush for the door. “Got to run. Need to stop at Ahz and make sure things are on track. See you tonight.”
Driving in downtown in Los Angeles is like entering a war zone. No one wants to be on the roads between six and ten in the morning or any time after two in the afternoon.
The freeways are death traps, and the seven-mile trip takes forty-five minutes. Thank God for parking privileges. If I had to hunt down a parking space, I’d waste another thirty minutes.
I enter and find most of the construction workers gone. Only a handful of people remain to take care of last-minute details.
The VIP lounge is ready for the elite list of guests attending. It’s strictly A-listers, ranging from professional athletes to movie stars and politicians. Inviting only one hundred VIPs and their guests is smart. There wouldn’t be enough room for more egos.
Once I’m comfortable with the preparations and the storage of the gift bags, I leave to prepare dinner and change into a miniskirt and heels.
It’s strange to be in his house by myself. Though I’ve become familiar with it since I spend half of each week here, it’s empty without him.
The baked chicken, quinoa, and steamed spinach are ready, and I’m dressed in the outfit he requested.
The alarm system alerts me to the gate being opened. So that’s how he knows when I’m here.
Like him, I walk to the front entry and watch him drive forward.
A big grin takes over his face when he sees me dressed in my blue mini.
Throwing the Mustang into park, he jumps out and races to me. His arms are a vise around my waist and hold me tightly while he twirls us in circles. I never thought an outfit could bring a person such joy.
“Are you hungry?” I ask.
He kisses my neck, giving me a gentle bite where my shoulder and neck meet. “Ravenous.”
My conversation centers on food, but he has Griffith Park on his mind.
“Food first. You can satisfy your other hunger later.” I grab him by the tie and pull him into the kitchen.
I prepare our dishes while Damon races upstairs to change. He returns wearing black jeans and a snug-fitting designer T-shirt, and Lord, he looks amazing. On his feet are a beautiful pair of leather loafers, and his D & G cologne fills the air. In his hand is a trench coat.
I take the coat and set it aside before leading him to the breakfast bar where we enjoy our dinner and talk about the day.
“How are things at the club?” he asks. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to sit in the VIP lounge and not think of you on the floor above me. Out of all my clubs, Ahz is my favorite because of you. I love that we’re both invested in its success.”
“I love that, too. I think the VIP lounge will be the death of me though. I’m on a huge learning curve, and I’m just reaching the top of the arc.”
“I met with Trevor yesterday, and he said he let go of the reins and had you take charge. He would never allow you to run a big project if he didn’t think you could handle it.”
“He’s a great boss and a good friend.”
Damon pushes his empty plate away.
“Shall we go? The observatory is best if it’s seen as day turns from dusk to dark. It’s my favorite place to think.”
“Let me wash the dishes, and then we’ll leave.”
He grabs my arm and takes me directly to the Mustang. “I pay Claire a healthy salary to clean this house. She can do the dishes tomorrow morning when she gets here.” He opens the door and helps me inside. “By the way, dinner was great. I haven’t come home to a cooked meal since I left my mom’s house.” He kisses me and rounds the car to climb behind the steering wheel.
“I like to cook.” I turn to him. “We eat out too much, and I’m gaining weight. Outside of making love, I don’t get any exercise. You’re bad for my health.”
“I told you I was bad for you. You were warned.”
With multiple observation platforms at Griffith Park, we see the surrounding area from different vantage points. It’s impossible to locate a more secluded space to see the city or star gaze.
Damon knows exactly where he wants to go and walks me to the highest point. I’ve been turned on since we got into the car. I know it’s crazy, but I like what he likes. I get worked up over the thrill of the unknown and unexpected. This is a new world for me.
He picks a place where no one is near and takes the long coat from his shoulders and pulls it to cover mine, creating a tent that surrounds us.
His lips are on my neck and his breath near my ear. Desperate hands slide around my waist and raise to cup my breasts.
“Lean against me, Angel. Relax and enjoy.” I love those words. ‘Relax and enjoy’ means ‘Hang on for dear life because I’ll go somewhere you’ve never been.’
I melt into his chest and let him control my body. His cologne is intoxicating to smell. Watching the setting sun paint the sky in reds and oranges pleases my eyes. His touch ignites a fire inside me. His voice whispers the things every girl wants to hear. Things like, “You’re beautiful. You make me happy, and I’ve always wanted to do this.” The only sense not activated is taste. Eventually, he’ll kiss me, and I’ll taste the sweetness of his lips against mine.