Page 64 of I see you Beauty

Icheck my cell phone and see a message from Thomas. He’s letting me know that he’ll be home late today because he’s going out for dinner with a few clients. That suits me just fine, and I’m relieved to have avoided a discussion this morning. I quickly text him that I’ll be meeting Kelly this evening and will be late, so there won’t be another argument when he walks in and finds me not there.

After I send the message, my cell phone rings less than two minutes later. I answer it with a furrowed brow when I see Thomas’s name on my screen. Meanwhile, I stand in front of my wardrobe in my underwear, trying to decide what to wear.

“Thomas? What’s going on?” I answer the call, already feeling like I’ve been caught red-handed.

“Why are you going out again today? June is coming tomorrow, and the house can’t look like it’s been hit by a bomb. You need to think about your family this weekend and stop going out all the time,” he rages, his words a constant source of frustration.

I try to swallow my anger, just like my guilty conscience. Kelly is right. Now it’s my turn.

“Our house is always clean, in case you haven’t noticed, and that doesn’t change because I go out once or twice a week. I’m tired of waiting for you in an empty house. That’s why I’m going out with my best friend. Good luck with your clients, darling,” I say, determined to maintain my independence without making a big scene because I don’t feel like it and don’t have the time right now.

“Don’t be late,” he grumbles and hangs up.

Rolling my eyes, I put my phone aside and turn my attention back to my wardrobe. I’ve been excited about tonight all day. Kelly put together a few outfits for me earlier when she was here and laid them out on my bed. But I don’t think any of them are appropriate or they’re far too sexy. Although provocative might not be such a bad thing for a young guy like Ezra.

I grab one dress she picked out and hold it in front of my body as I stand in front of the mirror. It’s a black cocktail dress from my earlier days when it was still important to Thomas that I attend every significant business dinner because it would look better and play positively when he founded his law firm. Of course, I did everything I could to support my husband in realizing his dreams.

I inspect the dress critically, but the longer I look at it, the more I like it. My makeup is already done, and I have to think about what to do with my hair.

I can’t help but notice that Ezra’s bedroom is completely dark. He doesn’t seem to be home. I wonder if he’ll stand me up, but I quickly dismiss the thought, knowing how much he wants to spend an evening with me. I hope to learn more about him today because I know nothing about Ezra King.

After stepping back in front of the mirror in my black cocktail dress and matching high heels, I decide to let my hair down, as I’m feeling pretty sexy right now. A hot shiver runs through my body at the thought of what Ezra will say about my outfit. I have no idea what he has planned, but I’m happy to be surprised.

I smooth out my dress once more, then I’m ready and leave my house. During the drive, I try to keep my nervousness in check. But as I turn into the bay and let my car roll to a stop, my heart skips a beat when I see Ezra standing in his leather jacket, dark jeans, and a white shirt flashing between the black leather. God, he’s downright handsome.

I park and turn off the engine as he slowly walks toward me with a big grin on his face. He opens the car door for me, quite the gentleman, and I get out on wobbly legs. His lips gently meet my cheek, and I smile because he is so polite.

“Hello, beauty. Nice of you to come,” he greets me in his raspy voice, which immediately gives me a pleasant shiver.

“Hello, Ezra,” I reply in a hoarse voice. Pull yourself together, Cora!

Feeling stupid for letting him throw me off my game, I turn my gaze away from him, and only then do I notice the breathtaking view, crowned by the dawning sunset. In awe, I step a little closer to the barrier and look into the distance toward the horizon, which is already turning into a pale pink.

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper, unable to take my eyes off the view.

“I think I have the nicer view, but I’m glad you like it. Enjoy it while I take care of some final preparations.” Ezra whispers close behind me.

I smile at his words but nod silently and don’t look away. This place is beautiful. Trees line the small bay and make the whole thing even more idyllic. Looking at the many houses in our neighborhood from up here has a calming effect and makes the many everyday problems much smaller.

“May I invite you to dinner, Mrs. Shepherd?” I hear his voice a little later, so I turn to him curiously, as there is nowhere to sit.

Ezra stands beside my car, grinning, with a picnic blanket stretched over the hood. He’s cleverly tucked it under the edges so it stays in place, allowing us to sit on the warm engine without getting burned. The setup is simple yet ingenious, and the view from here is still perfect. Smiling, I walk over to him and let him help me up onto the hood, where a basket is thoughtfully placed in the center.

With my legs bent, I lean against my windshield and watch him take a bottle of champagne out of the basket. After uncorking it, he fishes out two plastic glasses with long stems and hands me one so that he can pour me a glass. I hold my glass out to him with a gentle smile and wait until he has poured himself a glass and put the bottle back in the basket.

“Here’s to a nice evening. I hope you like it. Of course, I could have taken you to a fancy restaurant. But firstly, the risk of us being seen would have been too great, and I wanted you to relax. And secondly, I think it’s something different from what you’re used to.”

Ezra is right. We shouldn’t be seen together, especially not in a fancy restaurant where our affair couldn’t be more obvious. And he’s also right that this date is something different. I can’t remember the last time Thomas and I did anything beyond just going out for a fancy dinner. He used to be more creative, but back then, our resources were more limited. Inevitably, I wonder whether Ezra planned this date because he’s short of money. But I quickly dismiss the idea, as he has bought a house in our not-exactly cheap neighborhood, owns the boxing club, and is renovating it, which also requires money. I realize again that I don’t know anything about him.

I quickly shake my head with a smile and clink glasses with him.

“It’s wonderful. I like it. Thank you very much. I’m curious to see what else the evening has in store,” I reply and take a small sip.

“Anything you like. I’m completely at your disposal, Beauty,” Ezra replies with that ambiguous undertone and that sexy vibration in his voice that gives me goosebumps every time.

Smiling, I lower my eyes to my lap before giving him a shy sideways glance. This guy always throws me for a loop, yet it doesn’t feel bad. On the contrary.

“I thought maybe we could have a little chat. Get to know each other a little better,” I reply somewhat meekly, as I don’t want it to be so obvious that I’m extremely curious about his life.

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