Page 11 of Mine to Keep

Tonight, he planned a special date for us, complete with an elegant dress he had delivered to the house. I assured him I had something in my closet I could wear, but he wouldn’t hear of it, wanting to see me enrobed in a gown for this specific occasion. It’s a beautiful dress, the luxurious deep-burgundy fabric clinging to my every curve like a second skin and draping perfectly until it skims the floor.

I don’t know how he knew I was dying to see it, but he somehow managed to get his hands on sold-out tickets to see theBeauty and the Beastmusical. And not just any seats, we hadour own private suite with the best view in the house. My pulse races, thinking about the dimmed lights, the swell of music, how his eyes always seemed to find mine in the darkness. The show was amazing, but the company was even better.

Now, we’re topping off the best date I’ve ever been on with dinner at Alinea. Our chauffeured car rolls to a stop under glowing lanterns, and the restaurant looms, a beacon of culinary genius nestled in the Chicago skyline. I’ve dined in plenty of fine establishments before, but nothing compares to this… or being withhim. Tommy’s presence is a magnetic field, pulling me toward something unknown, something exhilarating.

“Ready, baby?” His voice is a warm caress, tingling down my spine. I smile at him, already breathless before the night has even begun.

We step out from the car, the cool air of the evening nipping at my bare shoulders. I barely feel the chill, though. Not when I’m wrapped up in the heat radiating from the gorgeous billionaire standing next to me, from the hope of an evening poised on the edge of perfection. In his company, I’m transformed, no longer Kate Roush, the twenty-three-year-old daughter of a construction magnate. In her place is a princess stepping into a fairy tale, handcrafted by her gallant prince. I shed layers of my former self with every click of my heels on the cobblestone, stepping farther into this dream spun from moonlight and fantasy. All because of the man who keeps me tucked safely against his side, sending tendrils of longing through me, making me ache for more than just dinner and a show.

I lace my fingers with his, the strength in his grip grounding me as we stroll along the sidewalk. His touch lingers just long enough to send a current zipping up my arm, setting every nerve alight.

“Thank you,” I murmur, unable to keep the smile from my lips or the flutter from my chest. “You’ve already made this an unforgettable night.”

His eyes meet mine, and there’s a promise in their depths. I know what I want it to be, but I don’t dare say it aloud.

Alinea looms before us, its facade a beacon of luxury amidst the city’s heartbeat. We glide through the entrance, and the opulence washes over me, each detail meticulously crafted to astonish. It’s an atmosphere of extravagance. And here, I’m seen, valued, and adored by the man determined to spoil me.

Tommy guides me to our table with his hand at the small of my back, a touch that burns through the fabric of my dress. My senses are heightened, alive with the anticipation of his every move. He pulls out my chair and I gracefully sink into it, our smiles a secret dialogue of words unneeded when our eyes say it all.

Dinner unfolds like a scene from an old Hollywood movie. Tommy’s charm is effortless, his wit sharp as he regales me with stories that have me laughing until my sides ache. He speaks with an authority that commands boardrooms. Yet here, under the soft hum of the restaurant, it weaves a spell just for me.

“Tell me something. What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to do but never had the chance?”

“Skydiving,” I answer without hesitation, and his eyebrow quirks in surprise.

“The fearless Kate wants to leap out of a plane?”

“Yes! Free-falling from thousands of feet in the air, wind in my face, the world a blur below... It’s the ultimate rush, isn’t it? Like having a superpower.”

“Then we’ll do it,” Tommy states, the decision made as simple as that, and my heart skips a beat. “We’ll jump out of a plane together.”

“Really? Just like that?” Everyone else thinks I’m crazy when I tell them my number-one bucket list item.

“Just like that, baby.” He leans back in his chair with a confident swagger.

I laugh, shaking my head at his audacity, at the way he makes even the impossible seem within reach. Our conversation veers from dreams to secrets, each revelation another thread weaving us closer together and making me fall for him that much more. As I sit next to Tommy, the man who defies every societal norm, I realize I’m no longer just playing with fire—I’m dancing in the flames.

The server hovers, as Tommy’s gaze meets mine with a flicker of something more than just confidence—it’s an intimate understanding of my tastes and preferences, the kind of understanding that allows me to relax and be cared for.

“We’ll start with the Osetra caviar, followed by the pear-glazed foie gras.” He searches my face for a moment, and I respond with a pleased smile, encouraging him to continue. “Then, she’ll have the arctic char en papillote and I’ll have the truffled duck breast.”

“Excellent choices, sir. And for your final course?” our server asks.

“The lavender pavlova.” All his selections sound fantastic, and I can’t wait to try them. “And have the sommelier choose wine pairings for each course, please.” The impeccably-dressed man dips his head toward my date before collecting the menus and returning to the kitchen.

I place my hand on Tommy’s thigh, grateful for his attentiveness. “I guess you do listen to me when I’m talking,” I tease.

He lifts my hand and places a soft kiss on my knuckles. “I may not say much in return, but I listen to every word, honey.”

Warmth floods my cheeks, and I’m still amazed that a man like Thomas Sinclair wants anything to do with a girl like me.

As plates arrive, one after another, each a mosaic of color and savory scents, I’m struck by the stark contrast to my previous dates with men who’d talk over me to assert their order, or worse, depend on me to navigate awkward silences. With Tommy, however, it feels like we’re partners in a dance of mutual respect, where I’m free to follow his lead, knowing he’s attuned to every step I take.

“Did I ever tell you about my first college date with a guy named Jonathan?” I start, my fork pausing midair. “He thought showing a girl a good time was pizza and beer—that I paid for because he conveniently lost his wallet—eaten on a tattered blanket on his dorm room floor.” My eyes roll at the memory. “It was... gross. But this…” I gesture around the room before returning my gaze to Tommy. “This is a dream,” I confess, letting the truth of it fill the space. This man’s presence in my life casts shadows over every half-hearted romance I ever tolerated.

And then, as if the universe conspires to illustrate my point, Tommy’s hand reaches across the table, his palm capturing mine with a touch that speaks volumes. It’s a simple gesture, yet it sparks with intent, fueling a fire within me that’s been burning since the moment I first laid eyes on him. My skin tingles, each nerve ending awakening to the call of his touch.

“Kate.” My name is a melody on his tongue. “Seeing you happy is one of the greatest gifts I could ever receive.” The sincerity in his tone makes my eyes water and my chest swell with gratitude and adoration. Tonight isn’t just a date; it’s a declaration, a testament to the extraordinary man who I’m falling in love with.

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