Page 75 of Love Medley
“You look amazing,” I murmur into her ear, unable to stop the words. She smells of jasmine and honey, and I could breathe her in for the rest of the night, never tiring of it.
“Can you give me a turn?” I’m not sure where I got the confidence to say that out loud, but I don’t regret it. I lift her hand above her head so Lucy can twirl in a full circle, her dress floating gently around her body.
She’s breathtaking.
Lucy smiles shyly. “You look great too,” she says, her dark eyes traveling over me in a way that heats me up on the inside. As herlips part slightly, I can’t help but think of a million things I want to do to that perfect mouth.
“Come on in,” Lucy waves me inside. “Those for me?”
Returning to my senses, I remember that I’m clutching a bouquet in my hands. How do I lose my mind every time I see this woman?
“Yes,” I say, trying not to stumble into her apartment.
Lucy takes the daisies from me and lifts them to her nose. “I love them. Let me grab a vase and put them in some water.”
The last time I was here, I was so overwhelmed by being there alone with Lucy that I barely noticed my surroundings. On this second perusal, I take a few minutes to examine the details of her apartment more closely. While the building itself is modern and rather austere compared to my place, Lucy has somehow filled the space with earthy tones: grays, browns, and olive greens everywhere but with pops of pale pink, which add a touch of femininity.
It’s soher, like a warm cozy sweater but in decor form.
I try not to think about her bed, but since it’s a studio apartment, there’s no door blocking my view of her flowery bedspread.
God, if I could be so lucky to try it out with her.
After Lucy places the filled vase on the glass table, she lifts her eyes to me. “Are you ready to go?” she asks, her words interrupting my vision of us on that bed.
“Absolutely,” I say, a bit dazed.
I’ve made a reservation at one of the most popular sushi restaurants in the city. Koi Palace is known best for its general sushi fare—the nigiri, sashimi and specialty rolls are high-quality and delicious. The restaurant also serves some tasty pan-Asian fusion dishes. I figure there's enough variety so Lucy can have her pick. If she wants one of everything, I’m happy to oblige.
The lobby is pretty spectacular, with dangling blown-glass decorations hanging from the ceiling in colorful blue and green swirls. The moving lights on the ceiling create patterns of dappling water and fish swimming at the bottom of the ocean on the floor below. Lucy in her beautiful pink and blue dress would fit right in—the most eye-catching specimen in the sea.
“Oh wow,” Lucy breathes, eyes widening. “I’ve always wanted to come here, but I never think to make reservations in time!”
The hostess smiles at us from an ebony stand. “Do you have a reservation?”
“Yes, it’s under Jake Whitlock.”
She takes us to a small table for two. “Enjoy,” she smiles.
Even though the restaurant is beautiful, my eyes are riveted on Lucy. It feels like a million years since I’ve seen her last. My earlier panic has subsided to a quiet happiness…of course edged in ridiculous physical attraction. I just don’t want this evening to ever end. And now my biggest concern is when I’ll get to see her next.
Because there has to be a next time.
“Have you ever been here before?” Lucy asks as we take our seats.
I shake my head. “Like you, I’ve always wanted to come here, but I haven’t had a good excuse to try it.”
Her eyes gleam in the darkness. “Well, now you do.”
“Now, I do,” I echo like an idiot. She’s smiling at me, and I’m smiling at her, and fuck, all I want to do is kiss her. Instead, I take a gulp of water to distract myself.
“You told me it was a tie between books and movies. What’s your favorite of each?” Lucy says finally. I wonder if she feels as flustered as I do.
At least this is a straightforward question I can answer without too much additional brain power. “I haven’t read a book in a while, but I like science fiction and fantasy—some of the old stuff likeDune. But I really need to branch out. Movies? I’m aStar Warsguy, but theFast and Furiousseries? Total classics. Everyone should watch them.”
Lucy playfully rolls her eyes at me in response.
I laugh at her expression, even more tension easing from my shoulders as I relax into the conversation. “Hey, I’m a dude. What do you expect?”
