Chapter Nineteen
Nina
The week went by and everything was going great. Better than great. But that Friday, things were about to get even better.
Ashton came to my office and walked right in. “Hey, you.”
I looked up from my computer. “Hi there.”
It was nearly noon, and I figured he was there to walk with me to the studio to do the afternoon newscast. So, I got up to leave with him.
But his hands on my shoulders stopped me. “Where do you think you’re going, Nina?”
“Um, to the studio. Isn’t that what you’re here for?” I asked.
He shook his head. “No. You’re off for the weekend, starting right now.”
“And why is that?” I asked, as a thrill ran through me.
He looked over his shoulder then kicked the door closed. His eyes ran over me before settling back on my own. “I want to ask you something. And please be honest.”
“Of course.”
“I’m not one hundred percent over things. But Dr. Patel tells me that waiting to be perfect is a mistake. So I’m not going to wait anymore.” His eyes closed, and my heart raced. When he opened them, he asked, “Can we start dating?”
“Yes!” flew out of my mouth without me even thinking about it for a second. And I was ready for the kiss I had been waiting for too.
“Good.” He did kiss me, but only on the cheek. “I’ve set up a pretty great date for us tonight. But your part of it will start now. I’ve booked you a spa day. Artimus has been gracious enough to let us use his driver and town car. They’ll take you to the spa, where you’ll get the full treatment. There are a couple of packages in the trunk of that car for you too. Those are my gifts to you, and I would like for you to wear them to dinner.”
“You’re treating me like a princess, Ashton.” I was in awe. But I didn’t want him to think I was that kind of girl who had to be spoiled and pampered. “You don’t have to do all this.”
“I know I don’t have to.” He kissed my other cheek. “I want to. Let me do this.”
Who was I to argue?
“Okay. So, what time should I be ready for dinner?” I asked, as my mind raced ahead of me.
“Eight. We have an eight-thirty reservation at The River Café in Brooklyn.” His smile was huge, knowing that he had really pulled out all the stops.
“Wow. A spa day and a meal at a prestigious restaurant?” I was on cloud nine as he walked me to the waiting car outside the station.
A quick kiss to my forehead and I was on my way to one remarkable day.
After being soaked and scrubbed in various things and massaged into a blissful state, I came home and put on the little black dress he’d bought for me. Matching pumps came with it. And a smaller box held a set of diamond earrings and a necklace.
Standing in front of my full-length mirror, I barely recognized myself. And when I went out into the living room to wait for Ashton, I found Sandy, Sloan, and Ty having themselves a few beers before heading out for their night of fun.
Ty looked me up and down as he whistled. “Do you clean up nice or what, Nina?”
Sandy’s mouth was hanging open. “Where did you get all that, Nina? And are those real diamonds?”
“They are,” I said with a nod. “Ashton gave them to me. We’re going on our first date—finally. He’s taking me out to The River Café in Brooklyn for dinner tonight. And he sent me to the spa today too.”
Ty sounded a little grumpy as he said, “So, this guy’s got a shit-ton of money, then. I never stood a chance in hell.”
Shaking my head, I corrected him, “No, you didn’t stand a chance. But not because Ashton is rich. I mean, he’s doing well for himself, but that’s not why you never stood a chance against him. I’ve got it bad for him. I told you that. And now, he’s finally showing me how bad he’s got it for me too.”
Ty smiled then and came to kiss my cheek. “He’s one lucky SOB.”
“Thanks, Ty.” A knock at the door had me turning around. “I bet that’s him.”
Peeking out the peephole, I saw Ashton wearing a black suit and tie and looking like a million dollars. I opened the door, and he reached out to take my hand. “You look amazing, Nina. I knew you would.” He fingered the necklace that he’d given me. “It all looks perfect on you, just the way I imagined it.”
Sandy cleared her throat. “Hi there.”
I turned to introduce Ashton to everyone. “This is my roommate, Sandy. And that’s Sloan standing next to her. And this is Ty.” Ty had come up to stand behind me.
He reached out to shake Ashton’s hand. “Hi.”
Ashton looked a little confused as he said, “Hi. Nice to meet you guys.”
“So, you’re taking her out to a fancy dinner, huh?” Ty asked.
Ashton nodded. “I am.”
“What time are you going to have her back home?” Ty asked.
I laughed and pulled on Ashton’s hand. “Come on, Ashton. He’s just kidding around with you. Night, guys. Be careful out there.” I closed the door behind us.
As we went to the elevator, Ashton looked at me with a puzzled expression. “And who is he to you, Nina?”
“I think he has the hots for me. But he’s a nice guy. No one to worry about,” I let him know.
“Okay. If you say so.” Ashton pushed the button on the elevator and off we went to our first official night out.
The restaurant was even better than I expected. The ambience was amazing, and so was the food.
The waiter brought us a bottle of wine—a ‘07 Alfred Gratien Cuvee Paradis from France, which cost $230 a bottle. After our glasses were filled, I leaned in close to whisper to Ashton, “You really are breaking the bank for this date, aren’t you?”
When his fingertips grazed along my jawline, I nearly melted in my chair. “I want to show you how much I appreciate and care for you.” His lips barely touched my ear. “Baby.”
The way the term of endearment made my stomach flip gave me all kinds of ideas about things to come.
This night is going to be a dream!
The appetizer arrived and my eyes went wide as saucers as I looked at the marvelous creation that was set before us. Named Three Shells, it consisted of a variety of chilled shellfish. Fresh abalone was garnished with citrus, soy, and lime. Kumamoto oysters were covered in cucumber champagne mignonette. Then Taylor Bay scallop ceviche was mixed with sea bean, tomato, and coriander.
Ashton fed me a tiny bite of each. He had no idea the effect he was having on me as he placed the food in my mouth. “It’s fantastic.”
I picked up a tiny fork and stabbed a scallop, then fed it to him. He moaned as he chewed it. “You’re right, it is amazing.”
The appetizer alone was enough, but there was more to come.
The main courses were just as decadent. He had black sea bass that had been sautéed with lobster brown butter. It was served with grilled artichoke ravioli and fresh artichoke.
I had poached Nova Scotia lobster. It came with sweet and sour butternut squash risotto, Trumpet Royale mushrooms, and even brussels sprout leaves.
“This meal is so impressive.” I finished off the last bite, cleaning my plate.
He looked at the empty plate with a smile on his face. “I’m impressed too. And now for dessert.”
The only thing I wanted for dessert was him.
But he’d already ordered, it seemed. Our waiter came and cleared our plates as the dessert was delivered by a very proud dessert chef. “Our famous Chocolate Brooklyn Bridge. It’s made with milk chocolate Marquise, raspberry sorbet, vanilla ice cream, crisp meringue, and topped with a dark chocolate glaze.”
“It’s gorgeous,” I remarked. “I’m sure it tastes as good as it looks too.”
The chef nodded, then left us to enjoy the decadent treat.
Ashton spoon-fed me once more. I gave him bites too, and it was obvious by the glow on his cheeks that he was getting as turned on as I was.
Picking up his napkin, he ran it over my lips. “Some extra chocolate got away from you.” Then his lips touched the spot right next to mine, and I nearly turned to capture his lips.
I didn’t though. The longing I felt wouldn’t have been satisfied in a public place. My only hope was that Ashton wasn’t going to keep me waiting much longer for that kiss I’d dreamt of for the last two years.
The ride home was quiet. He held my hand, his thumb moving back and forth across the top of mine. My insides were liquid. My thighs quivered with desire.
The spa had rid me of every last bit of body hair, and I was damn glad of that. I prayed that Ashton would kiss every last inch of me with slow, burning kisses.
And even as I thought about what I wanted him to do to me, I still had no idea if he had any plans to do such a thing.
I didn’t want to push him. But my God, how I wanted him to take me like he owned me.
When the car pulled up in front of my apartment building, I broke out into a sweat. I crossed my fingers by my side. “You’re coming up, right?”
He nodded as the driver came to open the door for us to get out. “I don’t want you walking up to your apartment alone, baby.”
My heart sped up as he called me baby again. I loved hearing him call me that. I wanted to hear him say it many more times—I wanted to hear him whisper it in my ear as he took me.
Even as we headed up to my place, I still wasn’t sure if he would be coming in with me. He had just said he didn’t want me to walk alone, was all.
When the elevator doors opened and we headed to my door, I felt my knees going weak. My body was shaking with desire.
He has to come inside with me!
I knew better than to ask him, but I prayed he would ask me if he could.
He held his hand out for my key then opened the door for me. “You’re such a gentleman, Ashton.”
I saw his Adam’s apple bob in his throat as he gulped. “I’m glad you think so.” He pulled me into the dark living room but stayed just inside the door.
I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as he put his hands on my shoulders, then moved them to my back to pull me to him. It was so dark, I couldn’t see his eyes. But I could feel the energy that flowed between us.
He moved so slowly that I began to wonder if he really was going to do it. But when his lips touched mine, holding me so tightly in his arms, I fell apart. My nails bit into his biceps as I held him back. Then he pushed his tongue through my lips to tangle with mine.
Fireworks went off inside of my head and I lost myself in him in a way I’d had no idea was possible.