“Of course.” He pulled the shirt from the bag and held it up. “I love it! Thank you!”
“There’s more,” I said, feeling giddy despite myself.
He poked into the back and pulled out the slip of paper. As he read it, his eyes lit up. “Good for two tickets to Opening Day and a pregame blowjob.”
I clapped my hands. “Do you like it?”
“Best. Gift. Ever,” he said, kissing my cheek. “I can’t fucking wait.”
He picked up my coat, and I slipped into it. “You’ll be in your new place by then,” I said, buttoning up before pulling on my gloves.
“You’ll finally be rid of me.” He took his coat and scarf from the closet and put them on.
“Thank God. All the amazing sex has been so annoying.”
“Oh, we’ll still have amazing sex. We’ll just have a new set of rooms to play in.”
“Yay!” My heart thumped crazily. “I know I’m twenty-seven, but…I love playing.”
“Me too. OK, playmate, let’s go.” He opened the door and gave me a little spank on the butt as I walked out, and I felt reassured that everything was OK.
He wouldn’t tell me where we were headed, only that we had a reservation at eight. We were driving south on Woodward and had just crossed Forest when he slowed down and signaled, and I looked around excitedly.
Then I gasped. “The Whitney?”
He smiled as he turned into the driveway of the late nineteenth century mansion, a massive, three-storied, rose-colored granite monument reflecting the wealth of the lumber baron who’d built it in 1894.
I clapped my hands and squealed. “I love this place! My dad brought me to dinner here for my sixteenth birthday.”
“So you’ve been here before. I wasn’t sure.” Quinn pulled up at Valet and parked.
“Yes, but not in over ten years. It’s too pricey for client dinners or girls’ night out.”
“I thought maybe a date might have taken you.”
“Nope. You’re the first.”
“Finally, I’m first at something with you.” He grinned and pumped his fist just as a valet opened my door and offered me a hand getting out, which I needed in this skirt. Quinn had practically had to boost me in.
Inside the opulent main hall, Quinn took my coat and checked it along with his, and we admired the fireplace, stained glass windows, and immense staircase before asking for our table. “Imagine playing on that staircase,” Quinn whispered to me as we were shown into a dimly lit circular room with high ceilings and ornate wood paneling. “Or anywhere in this house.”
I giggled and whispered back, “Naked hide and seek.”
He groaned. “Don’t tempt me.”
We were shown to a beautifully set table for two along the perimeter of the room, and Quinn waited for the host to seat me before lowering himself into his chair. (Later, when I excused myself to use the bathroom, he stood when I got up and when I returned as well. I’m the least romantic person I know, but I do find that kind of old-fashioned courtesy attractive—especially when I know the dirty mind behind the courtly manners. It was like another little game, a secret we shared.)
We dined on calamari, beef Wellington, and grilled vegetables, polishing off a bottle of Barolo in between delectable bites. When the dessert plates had been cleared—we’d devoured something called Chocolate Cartier, which included strawberries covered in chocolate, my favorite way to eat fruit—Quinn reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a small white box.
Since it was flat and square, I felt no rising panic that I’d somehow led him to believe a ring was a good idea. Instead, I smiled at him.
“What’s this?”
“A present.” He set it on the table.
“This meal was my present. And I loved every minute of it.”
He nudged the box toward me. “Open it.”
Giving him a suspicious look, I slid the box closer and took off the top. “Oh my God!” I gasped, putting my hands to my cheeks, which felt hot beneath my fingers. “Quinn, it’s beautiful. I love it.”
It was a silver circle pendant, about one inch in diameter, attached in two spots to a delicate silver chain so it would lie flat on my collarbone.
“I’m glad. It’s nothing fancy, but I saw it this week and thought of you. I noticed you don’t wear a lot of jewelry.”
“I don’t at all. This is perfect—a little sparkle, a little elegance. I love it, really.” My throat felt tight, and I swallowed hard.
“It came with that little card that tells about the symbolism of it.”
I picked up the card the necklace was resting on and read aloud. “Karma. What goes around comes around… Wear your necklace as a reminder to keep the circle positive, peaceful, and loving.” I met his eyes.
“I thought it was a nice message. Hope you don’t think it’s too sappy.”
“Not at all. I think it’s a beautiful message. Should I put it on?”
He looked pleased. “If you want to.”
Carefully undoing the clasp, I lowered my head, placed the necklace around my neck and fastened it. When I looked up, he was taking a picture.
I laughed. “Really? Right now, during this nice, private moment?”
“Not sorry. You look happy and beautiful.”
“I feel happy and beautiful,” I said honestly, touching the circle with my fingertips. My entire body hummed with warmth. It almost felt like being a little drunk, but I knew it wasn’t the wine. “And I’ll wear this often, Quinn.”