“I can’t believe how close I am to saying yes,” I smiled apologetically, “but I promise I’m worth the wait.”
He groaned and stood, offering me his hand as we left the restaurant.
“Can you walk in those ridiculously sexy shoes?” he asked as we paused in front of his car. Sid, his driver, was standing by ready to open the door.
“Yes, of course,” I replied.
“May I walk you home then instead of taking the car? I’m not ready to say good night yet and walking will take at least twice as long as driving.”
I nodded, my pleasure at him wanting to extend the date undoubtedly evident in my beaming smile. He told Sid he’d meet him at my place in thirty minutes and offered me his arm.
I’ll admit, linking arms with Jackson Spencer and walking through the downtown streets late at night was the perfect way to end our first date. The spring air was warm and brimming with the energy of a reawakening earth. Trees were in bloom, sidewalk cafes and restaurants were bustling and the long dreary winter was a distant memory. We continued to share snippets of our past relationships and experiences and we even broached plans for the future. Jackson confided that he did want to settle down and start a family, perhaps buy a brownstone in Back Bay or a house along the coast. He asked how I felt about that and I confessed that I was interested in those things, too. My reply seemed to please him, deeply.
“Kate tells me that you’re one of the city’s most eligible bachelors. Why are you still available?”
“I was waiting for you,” he said, completely deadpan. I was waiting for him to smile or chuckle but he was serious.
“Jackson,” I sighed, uncertain what to say.
“I’ve dated Jennifer. Plenty. But no one felt right until you. It’s early and I’m moving fast but you asked and that is my truth.”
“Fair enough,” I smiled, my heart pounding.
“Do you have plans tomorrow?” he asked.
“Just the laundry and cleaning I ignored today.”
“Spend the day with me,” he said, stopping and pressing me back against a shop window as he kissed me, teasingly.
“I’d love to,” I whispered, earning myself another kiss.
A few minutes later we walked up to my building. Jackson insisted on seeing me to my condo door, even though I told him that wasn’t necessary. Sid was already parked curbside, waiting.
Jackson ignore my protests and the instant I opened the door to my home, he swept me inside, lowered his hands to my bottom and pulled me hard against him, giving me a good night kiss so savagely hot it ensured I wouldn’t sleep a wink that night.