Page 70 of Protecting Christina

“Thanks.”

Traffic was no better coming home as it was getting to the bar. My heart was still racing as I hopped off the elevator and marched toward Jake and Nikole’s apartment. Inhaling deeply to calm my nervous energy, I waited a few heartbeats before knocking on the door.

I expected Nikole to answer it, but instead, Christina stood there wearing a tight black dress and nude high heels. She had curled her dark hair and put eyeliner on. She had taken extra care to get herself ready, and I’d fucked it up by not being here for her.

“I’m sorry, I’m late,” I breathed. “You look beautiful.”

Her frown tilted upwards slightly, but she narrowed her eyes.

“Why are you late?”

The explanation was so long and frustrating. I didn’t want to talk about it. I only wanted to focus on us and the rest of our night together.

“I had to help a friend,” was all that I said.

She nodded in understanding. I sighed and I couldn’t believe how much that little motion of her head had meant to me. “Next time, you should call when you’re going to be late.”

“Absolutely.”

The way her chest heaved, I lost all memory of what had happened earlier. All I could think about was her.

“You look amazing.”

This time she smiled. “All right. You’re forgiven. You can stop with all the compliments.”

I leaned down and kissed her lips. “I missed you.”

She pushed her fingers into my hair and sighed. “I missed you, too.”

Grabbing her hand, I pulled her out into the hallway. “Thanks, Nikole. I owe you one,” I called from the hallway.

“I’ll hold you to it,” she hollered from inside.

Chuckling, Christina closed the door behind her.

“So, where are we going for dinner?”

“Down the hall.”

“What?”

I placed my thumb on the scanner and waited for the door to unlock. “I’ve got a special surprise for you. A few actually…”

I opened the door and smiled. It was perfect.

The event planner lit candles throughout the apartment and set the dining room table with black and gold accessories, including gold-painted roses. A violinist played in the corner, the music hitting a crescendo just as we entered the room.

Christina’s eyes were as wide as the gold plate chargers and she covered her mouth with one hand. “Who? When? How?” she sputtered.

“You forgot the most important one.” I kissed her again. “Why?”

She blinked, and I smiled. “I did it for you. Because you deserve it.”

She shook her head and looked around again, as though she thought it had all been an illusion. My face heated from the pleasure of seeing her surprise. I wanted to make her feel special and appreciated.

“Do you like it?”

“I don’t know. I’d never thought anyone would do anything like this. I couldn’t even imagine if I would like something like this. But—”

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