Page 72 of You Were Never Not Mine
Ugh, I hate surprises. I’m not a spontaneous person and Idon’t like not knowing what’s going on. Leaves me on edge and I hate being on edge.
We end up at a small airport about fifteen minutes away from campus. The driver pulls up practically on the tarmac and I see a helicopter sitting beside us with the doors wide open. The driver gets out of the car, but someone else opens my door. The driver can’t move that fast. When I glance up, I see it’s August standing there, his gaze roving over me almost hungrily. He’s wearing black dress pants and a white button-down that’s open at the collar, showing off the strong column of his neck and oh my God, he looks gorgeous.
“There you are,” he practically growls, impatient as always. “You took forever.”
“The driver was kind of slow,” I tell him as I take his hand and let him pull me out of the car. The moment I’m standing upright, I’m smoothing down the front of my dress, unbearably self-conscious. I am wearing everything just as he asked, the dark nylons showing underneath the beige sequined dress.
I was so worried how my outfit was supposed to come together cohesively that I went on the internet and looked up the dress to find I’m wearing it exactly how it’s shown on the Prada website, which is reassuring. I also discovered the dress cost over six thousand dollars and while yes, I come from a wealthy family, no one I know spends approximately ten grand or more on their date’s outfit. Like we barely know each other and he’s dropping that much money on me?
Not going to lie, I sort of love it.
“Jesus, you’re beautiful.” He says it like a curse. Like he can’t stand the thought that he finds me attractive and all I can do is smile at him. His obvious pain over his conflicting emotions gives me strength. It’s the karma he deserves for being such an asshole to me when I was an awkward freshman.
“Thank you.” I practically preen as he continues to take me in. I feel like a princess. No man has ever treated me like this.I’m already impressed and the date has hardly started. “I love the bag.”
I hold up the tiny bag that’s completely covered with jet black crystals. I can barely fit my phone in there and a lipstick. That’s it.
“You’re a fan of Prada?”
“I’ve never owned anything Prada,” I admit. I’ve never worn a lot of designer brands because it makes me think of my mother, who will go out in public decked in Fendi or whatever brand she’s currently obsessed with from head to toe. She makes sure everyone knows she’s wealthy, thanks to the obvious designer logos all over her clothing.
“The dress is stunning on you.” His expression, his gaze are both gravely serious. He can’t tear his eyes off me. “Are you ready to go?”
“Where are we going?” My skin is already warm from his compliments, but the moment he rests his hand on the small of my back, I’m practically on fire for him.
“You’ll see.” He smiles and I’m breathless for a moment, overcome with how handsome he truly is. His hair is neat and his face is smooth. His entire demeanor reeks of class and wealth, and I hope I can match his energy. “We’re taking my father’s helicopter to our destination.”
“Oh.” I swallow hard. “Wow.”
I’ve never been in a helicopter before. And what’s that like, having a helicopter to use whenever you want? The Lancasters are insanely rich and have been for generations. My parents, on the other hand, are new money and so obvious with it.
All hopes of being able to match his classy energy fly right out the window.
August leads me over to the helicopter and helps me inside, his hand resting on my ass momentarily as he gives me a boost. I settle into one of the seats and he takes the other one, handing over a headset for me to wear before he puts on hisown. Within minutes, we’re in the air, the pilot pointing out landmarks as we fly through the darkness.
I feel like Cinderella and August is my Prince Charming. Sweeping me off my feet and spoiling me. There isn’t any sign of the August I’m used to dealing with. He doesn’t seem exasperated with me at all. In fact, he seems rather muted, and while I appreciate everything that he’s already done for me tonight, I can’t help but wonder if he’s purposely trying to be a gentleman to…what? Impress me?
He got me to go on this date by being his usual rude self. He doesn’t need to change.
I can tell we’re getting closer to the city because the lights get brighter and there are more of them. Soon enough we’re flying directly over New York City and within minutes, we’re landing on a helipad on top of a skyscraper. We exit the helicopter, the wind whipping my hair across my face, making me squeal. August takes my hand and leads me away from the helicopter, the two of us practically running, and only when we’re inside and waiting for the elevator to come, do I catch my breath.
“That was fun,” I tell him with a faint smile.
“Really? You enjoyed the helicopter ride?” He sends me a sideways glance, his gaze dipping to my chest. Lingering there.
“It was my first time in one,” I admit.
A smirk appears, the sight of it reassuring me. “You’ve been experiencing lots of firsts.”
The elevator dings and the doors slide open. He leads me inside and I turn to look at him, only speaking once the doors close. “So have you.”
He frowns. “Like what?”
“Going on a date.” My smile grows. “With me.”
Another one of those growls leaves him and he grabs hold of me, his hands on my hips, his body pressed close. He’s so hot, practically scorching my skin when he curls his fingersaround my chin and tips my face up. We stare at each other for a moment, lost in each other’s eyes, my brain filled with all sorts of dirty thoughts. How long will we be in this elevator anyway and what exactly could we do in here?
“You must know I don’t date just anyone.” He makes a face of utter disgust and I almost laugh. “I don’t date at all.”
