CHAPTER 11
Carson
We’ve been inseparable for a week straight, after working hours. I want to show her off to the whole world, but there’s just no way I can do that for her. I’d gladly risk it for myself, because it’s not a risk for me at this point. Not at all. I know what I want, and what I want is her.
But it is a risk for her still, in more ways than one. Sleeping with the boss is the oldest cliché in the book, and I don’t want her to get caught up in that net. Her work is too valuable, and I don’t want the amazing job she’s doing to get discredited. Even more importantly, she’s too valuable and amazing…to me.
I’m thinking long term and I need to sacrifice the short term so that we can make this work. I want a future with her. No woman’s ever made me feel this way, and I’m not about to lose this feeling. I want to wake up next to her and feel the way I do now, for as long as I possibly can.
I can see she’s more confident than the day I met her, and also more lively and happy in general. Her youthful exuberance has started to wear off on me, softening my edges a bit. I didn’t get as far as I did in the business world being soft, but she’s showing me you can collect more honey if you don’t upset the hive.
I pull up to her place, but I barely have to stop the car. She’s already on the curb waiting, even though I’m ten minutes early.
“What’s cookin' good lookin'?” she says.
“That’s what you’ll find out soon enough.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” she says with that smile that reminds me why I’m so glad to be a man. This girl is so real, so genuine, so honest, and such a breath of fresh air.
I help her in the car and walk back around to my side with a spring in my step.
We take off and talk about everything under the sun on the drive.
Before I know it we’re pulling up to the destination.
“Are we where I think we are?”
“Probably.”
She turns and gives me a curious look. “They don’t serve food here do they?”
“They do.”
“But they’re closed on Mondays, right?”
“To the general public, yes.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
I step out of the car and offer her my hand when I reach her side.
She’s looking up at me in a state of disbelief. I can tell it’s half shock, and half amazement…in a good way.
I escort her to the front where my friend is waiting.
“Good evening, Mr. Carson.”
“Good evening, Brent.”
“And this must be Miss Perkins.
“Nice to meet you,” she says, extending her hand.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Brent says. “If you two are ready, we’re ready for you.”
I nod and we enter.
I look at her and see the awe in her eye. It’s the exact reaction I was going for. I want to surprise her each and every day.
She looks up at me and shakes her head. “You…are…unbelievable. Incredible,” she says, puckering her lips and rising up onto her tiptoes as she walks.
I don’t think I’ve ever described anything in my life as cute, except in a sarcastic or condescending way when I’m out alpha-ing someone in a business meeting…until now. There’s no other way to describe it. She’s cuter than a million puppies in a picnic basket. I don’t know how she’s making me think such thoughts, or making me soft, but I don’t care. All I know is I want her. I lean down and our lips meet.
“You know, I’ve never been to the Getty,” she says.
“Do you like museums?”
“I love them actually, but I’ve just never had the time.”
“Well I’m glad your first time is with me.”
She smiles and reaches out her hand. I take it in mine and feel that spark all over again, not that it ever left me. Just when I think she can’t make me feel any manlier, there she goes again. Her small hand is in mine as she smiles big and wide as we begin our tour.
Add tonight to our ever-growing list of nights we’ll remember forever.