"I'd love to visit Paradisa," I said as we made the last turn before my workplace. "It sounds beautiful."
"I think you'd like it," he replied with a smile. He looked over at me and smiled. "I'd love to show it to you."
My heart skipped two beats and then made up for it by adding in an extra seven. He wanted to see me again. He wanted to show me his country. I knew it was probably just an idle offer, but then I had thought the same thing of his offer to bring me lunch.
I dared to hope that we could get there.
I reluctantly climbed the steps leading to the front door of my work. I wanted to go back under the trees by the Reflecting Pool, not up the stairs to my document prison. The walls felt stifling after the freedom of the sky.
Plus, I just wanted to kiss him again.
Henry reached out and opened the heavy wooden doors. He held them for me like a gentleman as I walked into the cool interior. Gus grumbled from behind his desk, arms crossed.
"Are you alright, Aria?" Gus asked as my eyes adjusted to the different lighting.
"I'm great," I assured him. I turned and looked back at Henry. "Can I see you again?"
He grinned. "What are you doing Friday night?"
"Nothing." Even if I had something planned, another date with him would be worth canceling plans.
"I'll pick you up at six," he said. "There's a game I'd like to take you to."
He took a step toward me and Gus stood up, looking protective. Henry paused and reached out and took my hand. He brought the back of my fingers to his lips for a gentle kiss. I couldn't help but blush at the princely gesture.
"See you at six," I replied, a little more breathless than I intended. Henry grinned and released my hand. He nodded politely to Gus and smiled once more at me before heading back out of the building. I watched him leave with longing.
"At least he brought you back on time," Gus grumbled, taking his seat at the security monitors.
"What?" I asked, still looking at the door and thinking of Henry.
"Two hours. He brought you back right on the dot," Gus informed me. "Not even a minute late. I appreciate respect like that."
I stood there for a moment in surprise. I certainly hadn't been paying attention to time. If it had been up to me, we would have been hours late.
"You know you can call me if your date goes sour," Gus said, his eyes glancing up from the monitors. "I'll come get you."
It was the most fatherly thing anyone had said to me in a long time.
"Thank you, Gus." My voice cracked a little bit.
"I don't think you'll need it," he continued. "He seems respectable enough. But, I want you to know you can call me if you need to."
I walked around the security desk and gave the big man a hug. He wrapped one arm around me and squeezed. I felt loved and safe knowing he had my back.
"You're not supposed to be back here," he reminded me gently when he released me.
"Right," I agreed and quickly jumped back to my designated side. "Thanks, Gus."
I started walking to the stairs knowing that Jaqui would want details of my lunch. I smiled thinking of Henry's kisses. The way he made my heart pound. I couldn't help but smile thinking of him.
"Oh, and Aria," Gus called out. I turned to look back. "He better treat you like a princess or else he answers to me."
"I'll make sure he does," I assured him. Gus nodded and I smiled as I went up the stairs.
Chapter 7
Friday couldn't come fast enough.
I'd done a little more digging on Henry Prescott in preparation for our date. He was a good rugby player, but not considered one of the best. There was very little else in the way of information about him. It seemed that Paradisians weren't big into social media advertising everything about them. What I could find matched everything I did know about him. He was more legit than most men I dated, even if he was known for rugby rather than anything else.
I was excited that he wanted to share that with me for our date tonight.
I went to work each morning that week with a smile on my face. Luckily, the backlog of documents held out for the entire week. I gleefully scanned each one into the system, even though I knew that every sheet of paper scanned brought me closer to having something my stepmother would want.
That was a bridge I would cross when I came to it. Until then, I was going to enjoy being able to message her that I had nothing of interest. It was petty, but it made me feel good to put a little crimp in her plans.
I did miss working for Senator Glenn, but at least I had amazing coworkers here. I loved getting to see Gus every morning. I loved having lunch with Jaqui and the other office girls every day. Everyone at the office was friendly and warm. I belonged here, even if I didn't really deserve to be here.
Friday morning came around and I was giddy with excitement. I was going to see Henry tonight. I was going to kiss him again and hear that accent say my name. I didn't have a curfew this time, so I was ready for some fun. I even cleaned up my apartment, just in case.
Work dragged on as I worked on the last box of backlogged documents. I slowed as I scanned the last few sheets into the computer, knowing that once this box was done, I would have the work my stepmother had sent me here to do. Her daily texts showed that she was becoming impatient with my lack of information for her.
Finally, the clock clicked over to five pm and I was free. I skipped down the stairs, stopping to wave to Jaqui on my way out the door.
"Have fun!" she called out. "And try to get me a number! He's got to have a friend!"
I chuckled and kept going down the stairs. Henry was going to pick me up at my place, so I wanted to get home as quickly as possible to get ready.
"You still going on that date tonight?" Gus asked the moment I exited the stairwell. He looked stern behind the security desk.
"Yes." I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.
"You still have that pepper-spray I gave you?" He crossed his big arms, looking protective.
"Yes, Gus. I always bring it with me, just like you asked." I motioned to my bag where I kept the small vial of potent spray. It warmed my heart that he was protective of me. It was like having a father again.
"Good."
I waited for a warning to watch out for hands or not to drink too much.
"Well? What are you waiting for?" Gus asked after a moment. He smiled at me. "You have a date."
I grinned and waved to him, heading out the door. Henry must have made a good impression on my protector.
I barely noticed the ride back home, as my mind was everywhere else. I spent my ride second-guessing my wardrobe options and wondering if I should curl my hair. I'd never been to a rugby game before, or any real sporting event, so I wasn't entirely sure what to wear.
Jaqui said to wear something low cut and to show off my legs. Bethany in the office across from me agreed with Jaqui, but that heels were in order as well. Janet said comfortable but easy to take off, and I was fairly sure that Gus would recommend long jeans and a turtleneck. Possibly with a chastity belt if I had one available.
I decided to go with what made me comfortable, yet still look like I was on a date. I hurried out of the station to get home and change.
I had inherited my small studio apartment when my father died. Technically, it had been my mother's. She had been a legal aide at a nearby law firm until she met my father. The apartment was in her name, not my father's, so when he died it was one of the few things that my stepmother hadn't been able to claim.
I loved how close it was to my work. I could ride a single bus, or if the weather was nice, I could even walk to work. The studio apartment was tiny, with my bed and breakfast table halfway into the kitchen, but it was mine. It was my one refuge in the world.
I hurried up the steps, taking them two at a time. I didn't have much time left to get ready. I decided on my favorite pair of jeans that I knew fit my booty and showed it off. I paired those with a loose dark teal shirt that showed a hint of cleavage and a light cream colored jacket, since it would be cool in the evening. Some earrings, a necklace and a hint of makeup made me look like I was trying, but not too hard.
I nearly changed my mind, thinking that maybe a skirt would be more feminine and sexier. But, I didn't have time. Just as I put on my necklace, my phone chirped a message that he was nearly here.
My stomach fluttered and my heart warmed.
Henry.
We'd texted all week and now every time my phone pinged, my pulse jumped. I thought of his kiss and the way his lips tasted. The way his chest felt beneath my fingers, hard and strong. I could close my eyes and feel his arms around me, safe and warm, like early summer sunshine.
I checked my reflection one last time in the mirror, taking a big breath. There was no reason to be nervous, but I still had a hard time believing that someone as interesting and handsome as Henry was interested in me. I hurried down the stairs and out of my building.