Page 38 of Fighting Gravity

Rosie had just taken her first sip of wine when the orchestra started to play. She gasped, instantly recognizing the score. “Harry Potter,” she breathed.

Tate grinned. “I just wanted to make the birthday girl happy.”

She heard themyimplied in that sentence.Hisbirthday girl. Rosie had said she wasn’t ready to be Tate’s world, but right then, she felt like nothing so much as his.

She leaned her head against his shoulder in pure joy as the music swelled. Tate’s arm went around her waist. They drank and snacked and lost themselves in the music. He stroked her knee and held her hand. Rosie had to wipe away tears more than once. The music and setting pulled at her heart. Tate did, too, with every glance, every smile, every soft kiss on the crescent of her shoulder revealed by the dress. The place in her belly that had bloomed to life at his villa felt close to bursting.

The sun began to sink as the symphony played their final piece.Leaving Hogwarts, she recalled. She listened to the score at work sometimes. The music felt final. What she felt flowing between her and Tate did not. The force drawing them closer felt more like a beginning. If she let it.

After the melancholy crescendo, the magical venue fell silent. They both clapped, though she wasn’t sure the musicians would hear them from where they sat in the middle of the lawn.

She turned to Tate. “I’m in awe.”

He picked up their joined hands and kissed her fingers. “I’m so glad.”

Rosie could see the sincerity in his eyes. Smiling, he stood and pulled her up with him. “Excuse me a minute.”

She packed up the remnants of their picnic while Tate made his way to the stage to thank them or tip them, she didn’t know.

Frantic butterflies launched in her belly as he returned. His eyes and his now-familiar features, like the curve of his biceps and that sexy-as-sin hollow in his throat, drew her like gravity—softly and silently, with irresistible strength.

Now what? Were they officially dating? Should she invite him over?

He took the picnic basket from her and left the chairs where they were. He slipped his hand into hers as they started walking back to the parking lot.

“I have two favors to ask of you,” he said. “And I realize the timing is poor. It’s notquid pro quo.”

“Okay.”

“First, Representation in Aerospace is having a fundraising gala in late August. I would be so happy if you would consider coming with me. As my date.”

Rosie nodded slowly. That meant she had over a month to figure out what was happening between them. “I’ll definitely consider the gala. Your second favor?”

It would be sexual, right? They were explosive together, and Tate had not only bestowed Rosie her greatest sexual experiences but now her greatest birthday gift as well.

“Can I get a ride back to OrbitAll tomorrow?”

Rosie choked on a laugh. “That’s your favor? You want a ride? In a car?”

Tate chuckled. “Don’t get me started downthatpath, Rosie. I have a whole cottage to myself at Hotel Del Coronado right now. Giant bed, no distractions.” Rosie shivered. “But no, a real ride. I sent Theodore and the jet back to Victory on Tuesday.”

“What have you been doing out here?”

“Some charitable business.”

Vague. But how could she complain when he’d spent time—and considerable money—assuring she had an epic twenty-ninth birthday?

Rosie paused on the sidewalk. The lights had flicked on. She was taller than him in her wedges. She was taller than him all the time, but he was in loafers of some sort and she was in three-inchers. She ran her hand up his biceps. “Thank you again for tonight.”

“Did this surprise top last weekend?”

She squeezed his arm. “Last weekend is when I really felt like I got to know the other sides of Tate. I got to see you in your space. Sitting outside under the stars, just you and me? That’s hard to beat.”

“Rosie.” Uttered in a reverent whisper full of want.

“But I’ll never forget tonight.”

Rosie tipped her mouth forward to brush Tate’s lips with her own. The fingers of his free hand skimmed up her spine. She whimpered when his tongue met hers. Sparks lit in her core. He leaned in, his body pressing into hers. She followed the movement, clutching him closer as she toyed with his hair. When she moaned again, he pulled back.

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