****

 

“You look beautiful.”

My belly warms at the deep rumble in his voice. I know he’s telling the truth because the way his eyes rummage over my body in the deep purple romper agrees with his tone. The butterflies in my belly tell me just how happy it makes me that he’s pleased with how I look. 

I dip my head to get my thoughts together, still uncomfortable with the intensity of this attraction. “Thank you. You look great too,” I finally answer, not blowing smoke at all. He looks great always. He’s dressed in a pair of dark, tailored dress slacks and a white button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbow, displaying the array of tattoos on his arms. I plan on asking him about the tattoos in the future.

“Are you ready to go?” he asks, hooking his arm in an invitation for me to loop my arm around it.

I nod, but then remember his rule. “Yes, I am.”

At that he grins, pleased. And there goes those goddamn butterflies again. I link my arm with his, and again that electrical current shoots through me as expected whenever we touch. I have to take a deep breath to actually move my feet. I have purchased a new pair of heels, and although they’re a mere three inches, when you’re used to walking in sneakers or flip flops daily, three inches is a lot.

“You okay?” Jeremy asks, sensing my nervousness.

“Yes, I’m fine. New shoes, that’s all.” I smile up at him.

He nods as I close and lock my door, retaking his arm as we walk to his car.

“Do you always have to call Liam to get in the front gate?” I ask as we pull off and out of the driveway. I know how tight security is on this property.

“No. I helped Liam design this property. I’ve been on the security list since he built it and was included in gate access for as long.”

“He must really trust you.”

“Of course. We’re cousins, but he’s the closest thing I’ve ever had to a brother.”

“Is that why you helped him get back with Coral after all those years?”

Jeremy gives me a side eye before returning his attention to the road. “You know about that, huh?”

I laugh. “Coral mentioned you had something to do with getting them back in contact when you came to her security firm and asked for her help with a case.”

Jeremy nods and grabs something from the console. I see it’s a toothpick as he brings it to his lips. I stare at the way his jaw works as he chews. There really is something about a man with a chiseled jaw line that is utterly sexy.

“I did. It was time for them to get their shit together.”

I giggle. “I agree. It took long enough. I guess I should thank you too.”

He gives me an amused glance. “For what?”

“For two things actually. One, without you, Coral would still be off to God knows where trying to track down some terrorist or something instead of being seven months pregnant and running a community center. It means a lot to me that she’s safe now. At least she’s out of harm’s way for the most part. Secondly, if Coral wasn’t here in Dallas, I wouldn’t be here either. I’m starting to really like this city. So, thanks.” I shrug. I’d never had intentions of living anywhere besides Vermont before, but when Coral invited me to move in to be closer to her, I couldn’t turn it down. Now, I’ve fallen in love with the city, the weather, the low-key nature, and most of all, being a part of what feels like a family. 

I notice Jeremy’s profile relax at my gratitude. “Coral and Liam would’ve eventually found their way back to one another. I just helped speed things along. As for the second part, I think your presence here is turning out to be more in my favor, so it’s a win-win,” he says, turning to fully look at me. It’s only then I realize we’ve reached our destination. 

“The Science Museum,” I read the large marquee. And my eyes widen as I realize why he has chosen this place as our date. “There’s an X-Men exhibit here!” I turn, looking at him excitedly.

His satisfied grin speaks volumes. “I’ve been meaning to come for the past month, but I haven’t had time until now. I’m glad I didn’t come alone, so now I get to enjoy it with you.”

“I’ve wanted to come here too, but I thought it’d be too nerdy. I’m glad I waited too,” I say, reaching for the door handle to get out. I’m anxious to see the exhibit. Before the door even releases, I feel a tight grip around my left arm. I look over stunned.

“Let me,” he says sternly. He cuts off the car and gets out. Within seconds he is at my door, opening it and helping me out. “As long as I’m around you don’t open car doors for yourself. Got it?”

“It’s just a—”

He lowers his chin, his gaze leveling me.

“All right. Got it.” I nod. No need to put up a fight about someone wanting to behave like a gentleman. 

“They also have hors d’oeuvres and drinks, so we can eat as we look around the exhibit. I thought that would be okay instead of going to dinner first.”

“Yes, that’s fine. Do they have a map or layout of the exhibit?” I question giddily.

“Of course.” He smiles at me as we reach the entrance, obviously picking up on my excitement.

The nerd in me is in heaven as soon as Jeremy opens the door for me and I enter the museum. I’m in awe when I see a huge marquee featuring the famous metal claws of Wolverine from X-Men.

“The exhibit is up the stairs,” Jeremy tells me, handing me a map.

I frown briefly, hating that I have to trek up a staircase in my new heels, but I quickly hide my displeasure and turn toward the stairs. I shiver as Jeremy places his hand at the small of my back. I do my best to keep my balance, but between these heels and Jeremy’s closeness, it’s difficult. He smells so damn good. Some sort of expensive cologne for sure, but underneath it is a scent I know is all him. I wish I could pocket his natural scent and carry it around with me all day. I had to remind myself not to close my eyes and swoon over his scent as we continue to ascend the stairs.

“Oh, look! They have the original designs of the comics!” I say once we reach the top, pointing to one of the first glass cases.

For the next two hours, Jeremy and I are like kids in a candy store, moving from one exhibit to the next. The original comic drawings, the set designs, and costumes from the major motion pictures are all on display. Of course my attention is piqued even more once we reach Storm’s costume and featured comics.

“You know, I hate that they had Halle Berry play her in the movies,” I somewhat whisper to Jeremy as we make the final rounds of the exhibit some two hours later.

“Why?” he asks, wrapping his arm around my lower back.

I fall into his embrace, not even realizing how familiar his touch has become over the course of this date. I’m pretty sure a minute hasn’t gone by that he hasn’t had his hand on me in some way, whether it was a hand at my lower back, gripping my hand, or brushing a stray hair out of my face as I look over an exhibit. I’ve never had someone pay such close attention to me. Not this way, at least. It feels good.

“Because.” I shrug, semi embarrassed at my reason. We begin to descend the stairs.

“Because is not an answer,” he clarifies in an admonishing tone.

I sigh, unsure of how I want to answer his original question, but realizing I had opened myself up for it. “I don’t think you’d understand.”

“Try me.”

I feel less reluctant to open up when I don’t get the impression he’s offended by my last remark. He appears more amused. I remain quiet for a few more seconds. Once we reach the museum’s exit, I decide to go for it. Holding my head up to stare at Jeremy’s penetrating gaze, I begin to explain. “I told you before that seeing Storm for the first time was somewhat life-changing for me. She was a beautiful and strong dark skinned woman, but vulnerable at the same time because of her past. Yeah, her eyes were blue and her hair grey, but she was undeniably a woman with a dark complexion. And for someone like me who didn’t have many images of women who shared my skin tone, it meant a lot. So for Hollywood to cast Halle Berry, who definitely does not have dark skin, because she is bi-racial, it just—”

“Felt like a letdown,” he states, finishing my thought.

I nod. “Yeah.”

“You thought I wouldn’t understand that?”

Feeling slightly chastised, I answer truthfully. “No.”

“Because I’m white?”

I flinch at the honesty in his question, but to my surprise I don’t see anger in his eyes. I see amusement. That makes giving him an answer a little easier. “Yes,” I respond truthfully as we exit the museum. “Honestly, you have more representation in popular media than someone who looks like me, especially when I was growing up. So yeah, I wasn’t sure if you’d get it or not.”

He tilts his head upward as if he’s considering my words. “I get it. Images like mine, the white male, are represented more prevalently in the media and in this society overall. I never had to worry about someone misrepresenting Wolverine’s comic book with an actor who looks nothing like him. I remember my foster mom talking about representation when I was younger. She was a huge fan of Nichelle Nichols.”

“Uhura!” I blurt out.

Instead of being annoyed by my interruption, he bursts out laughing at my giddiness. The sound causes something in my chest to tighten.

“Yup.” He opens the car door for me.

I climb inside. It takes me a second to even realize he’d said foster mom. It’s the first time he’s mentioned anything about his childhood to me aside from his mother’s abandonment.

“Were you close to her?” I ask as he gets in the car.

He looks at me confused for a second. “My foster mom?”

I nod.

He pauses before answering. “Yes.”

I decide to not question it further because I’ve picked up on his hesitance. “Are you taking me home?” I ask, changing the topic.

“Not yet. As I recall there were a couple of assignments I had for you that we need to discuss in private.”

I clench my thighs together in anticipation and fear.