Her Hometown Hero(32)

Grace grabbed Sage's hand and the lingerie and led her to the dressing  room in the back. Sage was absolutely mortified when an employee had to  explain to her exactly how to wear such a getup.


"I CAN'T BELIEVE how innocent you are," Grace said as they drove back to  the apartment that afternoon. "You missed out so much on crazy,  down-and-dirty college romps."

"Um . . ." Sage wasn't used to this sort of banter and had no idea how to respond.

When Grace swung her head around to stare intently at Sage and say, "We  are going to take your innocence, stomp on it, and toss it in the trash,  as of tonight," the car swerved violently.

"Watch the road!" Sage squealed, her heart pounding triple time. She'd  never make her date with Spence if Grace went on like this.

"Oh, the roads are fine. The rock trucks came and got them nice and clear," Grace said, waving her hand.

"Well, they aren't deicing the ditches, Grace, and that's where you're headed if you don't pay attention."

"Quit being responsible for five minutes straight, Sage Banks. I want  confirmation that you're going to let it all go and live a little, and I  swear I will land us in a ditch if you don't agree to this date with  this guy."

"I'm worried, Grace. We had that epic failure at sex once, and then I  threw myself at him a second time, and what if it's all me and I'm just  horrible at the whole sex thing?"

"Oh, honey, you will rock his world. He was in shock at finding you a  virgin. That's understandable. And then he was doing the right thing the  other night. Only a cad would have taken you to bed when you were so  vulnerable, so upset at losing that little girl. But tonight, you both  know what's going to happen, and it will be beautiful. The reason it  will? Because it's obvious that you're in love with him."

"I think I am falling in love with him. It's just that he's so . . . so .  . . I don't even know how to describe it. He's romantic, funny, sweet,  understanding. He always knows what to say, and he seems to know exactly  when I need him the most. I've really started to fall hard for him. I  hope it's not all just a big joke on his part."                       
       
           



       

"There's no way, sweetie. He would be a total and utter fool if he dared  to play a game like that with you. I'd most certainly have to kick his  ass right into Idaho!"

When they arrived at their apartment complex-safely, somehow-Sage  practically floated up the steps with her purchase clutched tightly in  her hands.

"We only have a couple of hours until he gets here," Grace said. "It's  time for me to work my magic." She led Sage to the kitchen and sat her  down.

It didn't take long for the curling iron, flat iron, and Grace's huge  cache of makeup to come out. Sage had a feeling she'd feel like a Barbie  come to life by the time her best friend was done. Maybe Spence  wouldn't even recognize her. But she had to admit that, for tonight at  least, she rather wanted to feel like an entirely new person.





The dress fit like it was made just for her. Of course, this was from  Spence, so it most likely had been. She didn't want to know how he'd  gotten her exact measurements. Still, the image of him sliding his hands  around her body and sneakily writing down the details was far from an  unpleasant one. Heck, the thought made her sigh and giggle at the same  time.

Once she was all dressed up and ready to go, Sage looked in the mirror  with a critical eye. But there was nothing to be critical about.  Beautiful wasn't a word she often associated with herself, but right  now, at this exact moment, that's the way she felt.

Her wavy red hair had been tamed-not an easy task-and her makeup, though  subtle, highlighted her eyes, cheekbones, and lips. She looked ready to  walk the red carpet and hoped Spence didn't think she was trying too  hard.

Knowing that she was wearing the sexy lingerie underneath the dress made  her feel even bolder. This was the night-she could feel it to her very  bones. They were going to make love and it was going to be spectacular.

"You are a vision, an absolute vision," Grace said from the doorway, her  eyes tearing up. "I take full credit for the hair and makeup, but the  total package is indescribable, and it's all you."

"Thanks, Grace. I never could have pulled this off without you." Sage  gave her best friend a hug. "He'll be here anytime. I'd better get  downstairs." She took one final look in the mirror and headed toward the  living room. The doorbell rang just after she slipped on her borrowed  shoes from Grace. Right on time-something she appreciated in a man.

When she opened the door, Sage lost her breath. Literally. It just  whooshed right out of her. The same thing had happened last time she saw  Spence in fancy clothes. And here he was in his black tux with his hair  smoothed back, a single red rose in his hand, and a smile on his  lips-male perfection personified. The added sparkle in his deep green  eyes completed the look.

"I am one lucky man," he murmured as he stepped over her threshold and  pulled her into his arms. "The dress has come alive with you in it." He  bent down and kissed her, and she forgot the rest of the world existed,  thought only of him and what they would do later tonight.

"What are the plans?" she asked when he finally pulled back. She'd half  wanted that kiss to go on forever and couldn't help feel a twinge of  disappointment when it didn't. But if they were ever going to get out of  her apartment, his lips would have to detach from hers.

"That's a surprise," he said. "But don't plan on an early night. As a  matter of fact, don't plan on being home until tomorrow night," he said  as he took her jacket and placed it over her shoulders. She'd much  rather wear a pretty shawl or wrap, but the weather wasn't going to  allow that.

"What about work?" She'd gotten off a ten-hour shift a few hours ago, and she was scheduled again tomorrow.

"The boss gave you tomorrow off," he said with a wink. She knew she  should be upset that he hadn't consulted her about that, but she was too  excited to scold him.

"Well, then, I guess I'm in your hands until tomorrow," she said,  feeling a wonderful freedom at letting him take over. When she was the  one always in control, it tended to get a little draining. This letting  go could become addictive.

Spence led her to his truck, and soon they were traveling down the  plowed roads. Snow was still threatening, but the night was clear for  now. When they turned into the small airport, she looked over at him.

"What's going on?"

"You just have to wait," he said with a sly smile.

They pulled up to the terminal and he parked the truck. Walking through  the one-room building, they came out on the other side, where a private  jet was waiting.                       
       
           



       

"Okay, Spence, you have to tell me something," she said, looking from the jet to him.

"I'm taking you to dinner," was all he said before leading her to the stairs.

"Welcome back, Dr. Whitman," a flight attendant said when they reached the top of the stairs and stepped inside.

The jet was decorated in creams and cherrywood. It had a sleek leather  couch along one wall, and a couple of matching chairs along the other. A  television console was on the wall with a small bar beneath holding  snacks and drinks.

"We'll sit in the chairs for takeoff," Spence said. "If you'd like, we can then move to the couch."

"That sounds fine," she said, though she was out of her comfort zone in  his jet. She knew the Whitman family had a lot of money, but she wasn't  used to seeing things like this. "Is this yours?"

"My family owns a couple of jets. They've come in handy with all the  trips to Seattle. Plus, the nearest commercial airport is almost an hour  away. That's far too much commuting for me," he said.

The flight attendant approached and asked them what they'd like to drink.

"I'll take a red wine, Laura," Spence said.

"I'll have the same," Sage said as she sat down.

After the plane had taken off and had reached cruising altitude, Sage  turned to Spence and asked, "So, are you going to tell me yet where  we're going?"

"Nope. You'll soon find out."

"You're just lucky that I'm finding this all very exciting. I normally need to know everything in advance."

"I'm incredibly lucky that I get to spend the evening with you, Sage.  You take my breath away-and I don't mean just with your spectacular  looks. I really enjoy our time together. I've just never been with a  woman like you."

She gave a nervous laugh. "I don't know if that's a great line or not,  but I have to tell you, it's working." If the guy was playing games, he  was clearly the winner.