Page 7 of Beautiful Heart

After dressing in the other black dress, she moved to the mirror once again. This dress had been a little big when she’d bought it, but now fit perfectly. The style was reminiscent of another era in time and made her smile. She found a pair of comfortable flat ballet shoes she could walk in, and slipped them on without hose. Finally she took a lacy black pashmina from the shelf, just in case she needed an extra layer later in the evening.

A glance at the clock told her she had just enough time to descend the three flights of stairs in order to be in the lobby waiting when Livingston arrived. She picked up her cane and her small dressy black purse that held her identification, a credit card, a few dollars, and her keys. She left the single floor lamp burning so she wouldn’t return to a dark apartment.

After securing the locks on the knob and two deadbolts, Gerri headed down the hall. As she started down the stairs, she hoped she hadn’t gone through all this just to be stood up by the sexiest man she had ever met.

****

Livingston stepped through the front door of the apartment at 7:55, just in time to see Gerri descend the last few stairs. She looked tired, and he wondered if maybe she would rather stay in and share a meal here instead of going out.

“Oh, hello,” she said as he crossed the lobby toward her.

“Good evening,” he said with a smile.

He worked hard to keep his fangs from punching through his gums and becoming too noticeable. No need to expose other blands to his existence as a vampire.

She met him in the middle of the lobby and he pulled her in for a hug and kiss that was too short in his estimation, but forced himself to keep it PG rated when a young couple entered the building. His cock had shot to erection the moment he caught sight of her and he expected it would remain so until they either mated or … he took a stake to the heart and died.

Pulling back, he studied her for a moment before saying, “You look tired, my princess. Would you rather postpone for another night so you can get some rest?”

Gerri began shaking her head before he finished speaking. “I have the next three days off, I can rest then. Am I dressed all right?”

Taking her hands in his, he stepped back and looked her over before releasing one hand and turning her in a circle. “You’re beautiful. I love this dress. It’s perfect.”

Her smile and the growing pink in her cheeks told him that his words and actions pleased her.

“Shall we go?” he offered his arm.

“We shall,” she said as she slipped her hand around his and held on. He worked to shorten his strides so she wouldn’t have to hurry to keep up. Their stroll through the lobby and out to the limo received appreciative glances and a wolf whistle or two, causing Gerri to giggle in response.

“Good evening, Quinlan,” she said with a smile for the man who opened the back door as they approached.

Quinlan nodded, but did not otherwise respond. His eyes swept the area, watching for trouble. Once they were both inside, he closed the door and rounded to take his place in the driver’s seat.

Since he already knew where they were going, Livingston raised the screen to afford them a bit of privacy.

“So, how was your day?” Gerri asked as she twisted her fingers together in her lap, giving away her nervousness.

“I slept, and then attended to some business that demanded my immediate attention. And yours?” Livingston asked.

He took one of her hands and lifted it so he could brush kisses over each of her knuckles. He then turned her hand over and licked her palm, tasting the lotion she had put on after her shower, mixed with the saltiness which spoke to him of her nerves.

Gerri giggled as he nibbled her fingertips before she gave into a full body shiver. “I worked and then came home and cleaned my apartment. Just another boring day in my life.”

Though he wanted to tell Quinlan to take them to his home, Livingston forced himself to stay the course. Tonight was about wining and dining and winning his mate’s heart so that when he asked her to come to his home, she would agree.

Quinlan pulled to a smooth stop in front of the restaurant a few minutes later. He’d called in several favors to get the reservation, and as they climbed out, he had to smile as the valets jumped to attention when he stepped out onto the sidewalk.

Gerri didn’t comment until they were seated in a very private corner booth in the back of the dining room a few minutes later. She had watched wide-eyed as the mention of Livingston’s name had them bypassing the people already in line waiting to be seated.

Once seated, she looked at her menu for a moment before closing it and laying it on the table. “Do you always get such wonderful service? I’ve read that this place has been booked up months in advance ever since they opened last year.”

Livingston shrugged. “It helps to have friends who know people.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Do you know what you’d like to eat, Princess?”

Gerri shook her head. “Too many choices. Would you choose something for me, please?”

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