Page 423 of The First Time
I laugh. "Not your money?"
"No. It's the sex."
"It helps."
"Only helps?"
"I also happen to adore you."
"Not as much as I adore you."
Blake slides onto the bench seat next to me, trailing his fingertips up and down my inner thigh, right under the hem of my skirt.
So, so close.
I yelp when the limo stops and he pulls his hand away.
"You can take it off," he says.
I pull the blindfold over my head, toss it aside, and step out of the limo.
We're in Midtown, in front of a tall building. The Empire State Building. It's blue and white today.
"For your first day of school," he says. "The whole city is celebrating you."
"It's celebrating the college, and it was purple for NYU yesterday."
He takes my hand and leads me into the building. It's past the hours for the observation deck, but a little thing like that would never stop Blake. He motionshelloto the guard and steps into the elevator.
"Last time I checked, you're not afraid of heights," he says.
"Not at all." There's nothing like the rush you get from being up in the clouds.
He waves a key card at the elevator and presses the button for the observation deck. I don't even ask myself how he does these things anymore. It's some rich person trick.
It's just like when I was a kid. The elevator goes so many stories so fast that my ears pop. I swallow three time to unpop them. Ah. Finally.
The doors slide open, and we step outside. The entire observation deck is empty save for a lone security guard in the corner.
I press the double doors open and step onto the deck balcony. It's windy up here but the air is warm. Perfect September weather. Perfect for the city.
The sun is setting behind us. It sets so late this time of year. Blake slides his arm around my hips as I squeeze the guardrail. The city is all around us, and it's beautiful.
A smile creeps onto his lips. He brushes the hair from my eyes again. He laughs as the wind blows it back. "That shows me."
He pulls me away from the edge, so we're in the middle of the deck.
Blake's eyes find mine. He looks at the concrete. It's almost like he's nervous, but that can't be possible. Blake Sterling doesn't get nervous.
"Let's hope this goes better than last time." He takes my hand and drops to one knee.
Holy shit.
"Kat Wilder, I'm madly in love with you, and the only thing missing in my life—" he pulls a ring box from his pocket and pops it open "—is making you my wife."
I stare at the ring.
"It's the same one," he admits. "It really does suit you."
I reach for the words. My voice cracks. "Yes. Of course."
He slides the ring on my finger.
I tug at his hands, pulling him to his feet. He slides his arms around me, leans in close, and kisses me.
He kisses me like he never wants to come up for air.
