“I promised you the door.” He says.
I want to strangle this man. It takes all the decency I have within me not to scream at him. This gentleman who makes me burn hotter than the Georgian sun in August.
Gazing up I let my mouth form a pout as I trail my hand slowly up his shirt covered chest.
“You also promised me a reward.” I remind him.
For a moment I can see temptation flare in his eyes, but he quickly grabs me into a fierce hug.
“I didn’t tell you when I would reward you though.” He says.
“Well then,” I begin, “When do I get my reward?”
My hands have a mind of their own playing with the belt at his waist.
“Tomorrow night. I’m going to take you dancing at my favorite bar. If you’re free of course.”
“I should be done with work at 7 again.” I tell him.
“I’d like to pick you up at your door. It’s only proper.”
“Was what we did in that elevator proper?”
“Absolutely not.” He says with a wide grin, “But I imagine that little tidbit won’t make it into the story of how we met.”
“Only the proper bits.” I bite my lip to stifle my returning smile.
“Exactly. Proper today.” He says as he leans in close to brush his lips softly against mine, “Sin tomorrow.”
“I’ll be ready by 8.” I tell him as he slips out my front door.
Oliver
Friday drags by as I crunch numbers and manage my personnel. Christmas is Monday and for the first time I’m looking forward to the holiday as much as my employees. I might not be looking forward to the actual holiday so much as the ability to spend more time with Gabriella over the extended weekend. For the first time in ages I want to skive off work. Unheard of. My assistant would have a heart attack.
I’m out the door at five right behind the rest of them. No overtime for me today. I have a date to prep.
A trip downtown to the florist and I’m sporting a colorful bouquet that the man behind the counter swears is perfect for the occasion. I believe him since I know landscaping, but flower arrangement is beyond my capabilities.
Honeysuckle and blue cornflowers are not a choice I would have picked but he assured me that the arrangement has more meaning than a dozen roses. True devotion to my love compared to the roses simplistic I love you. Bold for a second date but I’ve always been a straightforward man and hiding my intentions has never been a talent of mine.
During my earlier days working for dad he wouldn’t let me use the zero turn. Sitting atop the lawnmower was his job, clearing brush was mine. Poison ivy and briars were a pain in the ass to cut and weed from fence lines. And don’t get me started on invasive kudzu. But just as common was honeysuckle growing wild and heavy with its yellow and white flowers. No matter how many fences I had to save from the pesky vine, every time I would collect the nectar.
Drove the old man mad.
Glancing at the bouquet gives me a pang of nostalgia. Take the boy out of the country but not the country from the boy.
A quick shower and change of clothes later and I’m ready by six.
Clicking through channels I settle on a Christmas movie of all things. Quarter to eight and while the Grinch’s heart has grown three sizes my own remains unmoved.
Unsurprising.
Bouquet in hand I struggle to walk at a steady pace to her apartment. I even take the stairs in an attempt not to arrive too early. That plan is immediately botched as I take the stairs two at a time.
The elevator would have been slower. But the last thing I need to be thinking about as I show up to her door is how she fell apart in my arms last night. A gentleman does not show up with a boner.
“Stunning.” I say as she opens her door dressed in a tight pair of bootcut jeans with a Jack Daniels crop top T-shirt. Gone is the proper high fashion city girl and now there is a country girl ready to shake it for me.
