Page 83 of Take It Till You Make It
“Good. But they were there, so we’ll make the tabloids by morning.”
“Are paparazzi and tabloids the celebrity version of making your relationship Facebook official?”
Crispin bites his lip. “Maybe. I’m sorry. Is it too much too soon? I just don’t want to have to sneak around.”
I grab his hand from his lap and squeeze. “It’s fine, Crispin. You know this world way better than I do, and I want you to do what you feel is best for the public side of our relationship.” I giggle. “I can’t even believe I just said those words.”
He frowns. “Which words?”
“Our relationship. I’m still pretty starstruck by you.”
His gaze heats, and he pulls my hand to his mouth to press a kiss against my knuckles. “It’s only fair. I lose all reason when you’re around.”
Lowering the privacy screen, Crispin says, “Change of plans, Belinda. Let’s go to the cove instead.”
“Got it, sir.”
He raises the screen again as he studies me. “You okay? Nothing blew away out there?”
I look down at my dress to make sure everything is in place. “I don’t believe so. That wind was crazy, though.”
“Yes. Very unfortunate. I was going to take you to the top of the world to enjoy a spectacular view of the city lights, but you’d probably blow away up there.”
“So, we’re going to 'the cove' instead? Sounds secluded.” My stomach flips thinking about being alone-alone with Crispin in a secluded place.
“It’s a beautiful spot. I hope you don’t mind that I’m not ready for this evening to end yet.”
I lean back against the seat and smile at him. “I wish this night never had to end.”
He takes my hand in his and brings it to his lips. “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself, birthday girl.”
His expression makes me catch my breath. I bite my lip with anticipation because the look in his eyes is promising something that my whole body is responding to.
With a slight shake of his head, his expression clears. He slides into a more comfortable position, extending his long legs across the floor in front of us. Our joined hands rest on the seat between us. “Are you looking forward to your party on Saturday?”
“I am. I can’t believe you did all this for me and you’re also throwing me a party.”
“I invited a couple more people that I know you’re friendly with. I hope you don’t mind.”
“From the set? That’s really thoughtful of you.” I bite my lip. “Is this a fancy thing? Do I need to dress up?”
He laughs. “Oh my gosh, no. Very casual. Wear sweats if you want.”
I roll my eyes. In no world could I ever do that.
The limo turns off the highway onto a side street that it’s probably too long to be driving on, based on how slow Belinda is forced to drive as she navigates over ruts and potholes. I stare out the window, but don’t see much besides shrubbery.
“Oh,” Crispin scrunches his nose and curls his lips. “You’ll probably want to lose the shoes.”
“Okay.” Honestly, I’m happy for an excuse to go barefoot. I slip them off and leave them on the floor next to Crispin’s discarded dress shoes and socks. I climb out of the car behind Crispin, forced to stand up straight to avoid a face full of leaves.
“Sorry. It’s a bit tight here, but it’ll open up past the car.” Crispin takes my hand, walking sideways as he tries to shove aside branches for me. I squeeze between the car and the bushes, trying not to let my dress or wrap snag on the shrubs. The ground feels cold and sandy. “It’s good that there isn’t another car here. We might be alone.”
There is a narrow opening between the shrubs in front of the limo that Crispin guides me through. My toes sink into softer sand, and I find myself in a clearing. I hear the shushing of waves but can’t see them through the thick foliage surrounding us. The headlights from the limo light up the clearing enough for me to see large red flowers with pointy yellow stamens, sprays of small purple flowers, and a constellation of white star-shaped flowers. The air mostly smells like sea salt, but there is a soft, sweet scent as well. I take a deep breath. “Wow, it smells amazing.”
“It’s the star jasmine.” Crispin nods toward the shrubs, but I don’t know which of the flowers are the ones he’s talking about.
Walking in sand is awkward, so I stumble into the middle of the clearing, where we are most definitely alone. “This is beautiful.”
