Anton was thrilled when he answered the phone and heard Hannah’s voice. He had not been sure if she would call or not, and it was killing him. Now, he sat in his living room with a huge grin on his face.

“It’s so good to hear your voice,” he said. “It was even better to see you today.”

“I still can’t get over it,” she said.

“When can I see you again? I’d love to get the chance to really catch up properly. Maybe when your boss isn’t in the next room.”

She laughed. “Luckily, they didn’t see anything. Well, they saw you when you walked in, and that was enough. I’m sure you could have either of them if you got sick of me.”

“Not a chance. I can probably get most women, but there’s only one I want. The one I’ve always wanted.”

“Anton…”

“Tomorrow?”

“The weekend is better.”

“Okay then,” he said, “Friday night. You and me. I’ll take you to the fanciest restaurant in the city.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”

“I want to. I want to show you all the best this world has to offer.”

“I guess I can’t complain about that.” She chuckled.

“You deserve the best.”

He’d hung up feeling ecstatic. He could hardly sleep that night, feeling like a teenager all over again. Friday was too far away.

Anton passed the time with extra work. He wanted everything taken care of so that noting would interrupt his weekend. He hoped that their Friday night date would last much longer.

Finally, the night came. He drove to her work to pick her up. That would come in handy, he thought. Knowing where she worked meant he could send her flowers or sweets or show up to surprise her with lunches or evenings out.

He leaned against the car—he’d chosen to break out the limo tonight—and waited for her. When she walked across the lot toward him, it took all he had to remain there and not run toward her. He couldn’t look desperate, though, so he stayed glued in place and kept his eyes pinned on her.

She smiled and looked down as she reached him. Nervous? He liked that. He opened the door for her and watched her slide in, then slid in after her. He knocked on the dividing window twice to let his driver know it was okay to drive off.

“Nice car,” she said.

He gave her a half smile. “I only use it to impress the ladies.”

She chuckled. “Does it work?”

“You tell me.”

“You don’t need to try to impress me.”

“Try?” He put his hand to his heart. “Ouch.”

She laughed again, and he wanted to record the sound so he could play it over and over.

“Do you always get driven around?” she asked.

“Not always. I have a decent collection of cars. But tonight, I wanted to be able to focus on you.” And this way, they could have a little fun while stuck in traffic.

“I have to say, it’s hard to believe you’re still single,” she said. “You must have women lining up to date you.”

“I’m not going to lie. I sort of do.” He gave her a sheepish smile. “There’s just one problem with all of them.”

“What’s that?”

“They’re not you.”

She looked down and picked at her nails.

“What?” he asked.

“It’s… hard to believe that, honestly. We haven’t talked in ten years. How can you still have feelings for me and still be comparing other women to me after all this time? I’m probably not even how you remember me being.”

“Am I how you remember me being?”

She looked at him for a long moment. “Mostly. You’re even more handsome now. Plus, there’s the whole wildly successful thing.” She pulled her mouth into a half smile.

“You never married, either. Maybe it’s because we were meant for each other back then and we still are.”

She raised her eyebrows and stared out the window.

“You don’t believe that?” he asked.

“It sounds like something you tell all the ladies you want to sleep with.”

“I’ve already slept with you.”

She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”

“It’s not a line. And I do think you’re mostly the same person. Do people really change that much?”

“Yes. Maybe. I guess it depends on what they go through.”

“I can see that. After losing my parents and having my grandfather raise me in the business, I feel like a different person. Better.”

“Still a charmer, though.” She winked.

“I’m not too sure about that. I don’t seem to be doing too fine a job of it with you.”

“Then that just means I’m good at hiding it.”

A slow grin crept across his mouth. That was exactly what he wanted to hear.

Once they reached the restaurant, their conversation picked up and never stopped. By the end of dinner, it was like they’d never spent a day apart.

“How many times do you think we snuck onto the school grounds?” Hannah asked, taking a bite of her dessert.

“Every weekend for months, I think. When it was warm.”

“Oh no.” She pointed her fork at him. “There was that one time it was so cold.”

He put his hand to his forehead. “I remember that. We brought a blanket, but it wasn’t enough. My ass cheeks were frozen by the time we left.”

“I think it took me hours to feel my toes again.”

“Lucky we didn’t get frostbite.”

“Lucky we didn’t get a lot of things. Like caught, mostly.”

They both laughed.

“We did get into some trouble, didn’t we?” he said.

“We did.” She smiled and got a far-off look in her eyes.

He waited a moment, then said, “Don’t leave me yet. The night is just getting started.”

She met his gaze. “I was just thinking how nice this all is.”

He looked around the restaurant. The place had emptied out in the hours they’d been sitting there, but it was no less impressive. He’d been here a few times, though this time, the flowers in the large planters seemed brighter, the crystal chandeliers more sparkly, the air scented more sweetly. It was an expensive place but being here with Hannah was priceless.

“It’s been so long since I’ve been on a date, and even longer since I’ve been on a good one.”

“I know the feeling. I was just thinking how much more beautiful this place looks with you in it.”

She smiled. “I don’t go out very much. This is a rare treat.”

“I’ll take you out anytime you like. Hopefully, often.”

She took a slow bite of her chocolate cake and moaned at the taste. “A woman could get used to this. It’s so good, it should be a sin.”

“There’s no sin in enjoying yourself.”

There was that flush in her cheeks again. Every time he made her blush, he felt himself stiffen. Every move she made turned him on.

The tension between them had been building. By the time he paid the check and they got back into the limo, he didn’t think he’d be able to contain himself if she were sitting so close.

Once they were seated and riding down the road, he turned to face her, putting a hand on her cheek.

“I have to tell you something, Hannah. It’s been bothering me since I saw you the other day.” He closed his eyes. “No, that’s not true. It’s been bothering me for ten years.”

She looked up at him with a sympathetic expression. “What is it?”

“I am so, so sorry for leaving you. I didn’t have a choice in moving, but it didn’t have to be like that. I should have called. I should have done whatever I had to see you, to stay with you.” He shook his head. “Letting you get away was the biggest mistake of my life.”

He watched her eyes fill with tears. She blinked and they spilled over. He ran his thumb over her cheek to wipe them away.

“I’ve missed you,” she whispered.

“I’m here now.”

He leaned in and let his lips brush hers. This kiss started slower than their previous one, but built just the same. He slid his tongue in her mouth and thought about what she’d taste like if he slipped it inside her.

He let his hands drift toward her breasts. She didn’t stop him. She let out a small cry of pleasure when he pinched her nipple. The sound ran through him like a bolt of electricity.

He was on fire. His hand found its way under her skirt. Her panties were damp and she moaned and pressed into his hand when he rubbed her. He yanked her panties down and slid them past her heeled feet.

She hurried to unzip his pants and as he helped her push them down, she slid onto his lap. The limo stopped at a red light, causing her to bounce backward, then fall into his arms.

He held her close as she guided him inside her. She was warm and very wet. He had to hold himself back from coming too soon. He swallowed hard and closed his eyes. He didn’t want to blow his load too fast. He wanted to enjoy every moment of having her.

Hannah rocker her hips back and forth and made slow circles. He grabbed her hips and pulled her down as he thrust up, slamming hard into her. She cried out and put a hand up to the roof of the car to steady herself as they rounded a bend.

“Oh, yes, I’m coming,” she said quietly and let out a moan.

He felt her tighten and shudder around him. He thrust into her two more times and joined her in moaning as he came.

She collapsed into his chest, panting and hot. He stroked her hair as he went soft inside her. She slid off him after a moment and fell onto the seat beside him.

“Wow,” she said.

“That’s what I was thinking.”

“You asked earlier if you’re the same person I knew before.” She sat up and put a hand to his cheek. “I didn’t think it was possible, but you’re even better than you were back then.”

“You felt so good.” He kissed her and fell deep into her gaze. “Just like old times, only better.”

She nodded and sighed, leaning back into the seat and closing her eyes.