“Yeah, just tipsy.”
He starts to ask me something else, but I fall into him as soon as he stands up.
“Okay,” he says, laughing. “Maybe you just don’t need to drink at all.” He pulls me close and slowly walks me outside. He doesn’t even attempt to walk me to the bus stop, he quickly hails a cab.
Helping me into the car, he holds me against his chest and tells the driver to take us to “The Paramount.”
I look out the window as the car coasts through the sparse downtown traffic, as every street light seems to turn green the second we approach. I try not to focus on the fact that he’s caressing my back and kissing me every few minutes, but it’s hard to do with the liquor coursing through my system, with my body appreciating each and every touch.
When the car comes to an abrupt stop, I look out the window and see what type of place “The Paramount” is. The last place I would expect.
“So is this the end of our date?” I try to hide the disappointment in my voice, as the hotel valet opens the door.
“Not even close.” He helps me get out.
The bellman opens the door as we walk into the lobby and tips his hat at us. We bypass the check-in desk, meaning Dean probably has the keys to a room.
He leads me over to the bank of elevators and since the doors are glass, I try to hide my expression from my reflection.
“Something wrong?” he asks as the doors glide open.
I don’t say anything. I just shake my head.
He has the audacity to smile, and then he presses “P” for the penthouse and swipes a key against the pad.
Crossing my arms, I look away from him and step to the other side of the elevator car, but he grabs me and pulls me back against him.
As the doors open, I can’t help but be in awe of how amazing and beautiful the suite is. Set against the backdrop of the city, the windows that line the far side of the room are letting in the lights from downtown.
Dean hits the lights and I stand still, noticing that there is no furniture in the room at all. There are only massive frames hanging on the wall. Refusing to believe they’re what they seem, I slowly approach the one directly in front of me and run my fingers along the bottom of its frame.
A Le Blanc...
Dean slips his arms around me from behind. “He really was the best of his era...You were the one who told me that originally.”
Still in shock, I shake my head in disbelief. “How did these get here?”
“I met a collector a few months ago. I responded to a break-in at his home. I helped to recover most of the paintings, and he was grateful that I was able to find and return them to him. He said if I ever needed anything, just ask, so...”
“I just can’t believe you did all of this...” I turn around to face him. “So, you made the reservation just for this?”
“Yes,” he says smiling. “We’re only here for the art. I’ll fuck you back at home.”
Chapter 27
MIA
MIA: Help me...I think something’s terribly wrong.
AUTUMN: What is it?
MIA: I think I’m falling for Dean...again.
AUTUMN: NO! STOP IT! STOP IT NOW! (Was that dramatic enough?)
MIA: I can’t help it...He’s taken me out on a date every night for two weeks straight. And I lie to you not, the sex gets better each and every time. (Not even close...You left out “WTF”. That would’ve sealed the deal :-) )
AUTUMN: Does your brother know about these “dates”? And where the hell has he taken you? (I’ll make sure it’s more believable next time.)
MIA: No, he’s been busy with Sea of Ink. He’s been working 10-12 hour days for a while, so I doubt he would notice anyway. He’s taken me sailing, swimming, and to a bunch of different bars and restaurants downtown. He even showed up to my gallery and booked a private tour just to spend time with me on an overtime day. Am I screwed? Be honest.
AUTUMN: Depends. Have the two of you discussed the end of senior year yet? Has he at least said sorry?
MIA: No.
AUTUMN: Have the two of you even discussed it?
MIA: :-(
AUTUMN: Just wait until you’re both secure in your current state of la-la-land and ask him about it. You can’t build something together for the future without addressing the past. (Promise to call me later with details about the sex.)
MIA: I will...I’m definitely going to wait like you said, until we’re both in a good place with each other. (Totes :-) )
I put my phone back into my pocket and look out at Dean as he pumps gas into his car. He surprised me today after work and insisted on taking me somewhere for a few hours.
Like a teenage girl all over again, I happily agreed, but now, after texting Autumn, I’m wondering if I made the right decision. I’m wondering just how long our pseudo relationship can last, if this is simply a house of cards that’ll blow away with our next wind of arguments.