Page 87 of The Heiress's First Date

“Mmm... you might be surprised.”

After peppering another kiss against his chin, I sit up and shoot off a text to Kingston and Gabe. I miss them. It feels like no matter what I’m doing or where I am, there’s a hole where they should be. I don’t know how they became so essential so quickly, but I won’t deny it.

Katherine: still wish you were here. But it looks like you two are having fun.

I glance at Gabe’s pic of King, who’s stretched out in a truly massive bed, a come-hither smirk on his lips. That spot next to him looks so inviting. I want to stretch out next to him, soak in the sunshine of his personality, and then strip him naked and do all the things I’ve been dreaming about for longer than is decent.

Katherine: save me a spot on that bedheart eyes emoji

Giggling to myself, I send our selfie to LaShonda. As I’m pondering what to write, a call notification pops up from my boss. For a single heartbeat, I consider answering it. But then I remember that it’s a weekend. I’m on “vacation,” and I have no desire to help them out.

After sending his call to voicemail, I get back to more important people.

Katherine: not coming home. Send my things.zany face emoji

A strong breeze whips my hair around and I grab it, holding it down. Then I put my phone away, giving Alex my undivided attention.

“Sorry. Just wanted to check in.”

“I don’t mind.”

Indeed, there’s not a trace of annoyance on his handsome face. Instead, there’s endless patience, soft crinkles around his eyes and a soft smile that makes me need to touch him. Leaning back into him, I press a hand over his heart.

“I like that you keep up with your friends,” he adds.

“I’m glad. But this is our date. You deserve all my attention.”

He covers my hand with his, pressing it harder to his chest. “Just because we’re on a date doesn’t mean that the rest of your relationships stop.”

“It feels like they do. In a good way. When I’m with you, everything else fades into the background. It’s nice.”

“Same, Beauty. Which is why I need somebody watching our back at all times. You’re the best distraction.”

“You really do say the best things. Thank you for an amazing trip.”

“My pleasure.” He presses a kiss to the top of my head. “We should come back next year. A sort of first date anniversary.”

He talks like he’s in this for the long haul. Next month. Next year. All the years.

But I can’t hold him to that, right? And I shouldn’t let my hopes soar after a week of amazing sex and a romantic trip to Paris, ‘I love yous’ said or not. I’ve still got to figure out a way to permanently untangle myself from my mother’s web. There’s the inheritance situation, which reminds me that I need to check in with my attorney about that tomorrow.

Alex squeezes my fingers. “Why’d you tense up?”

I open my mouth to tell him I felt a raindrop. But Gabe’s words whisper through my mind. No lies between us.

That goes for Alex and Kingston, too.

As soon as I hear back about the inheritance and whether or not I do, in fact, have to get married, I’m telling them. Even if there’s a way around the stipulation and I don’t have to wed, it’ll put a target on our back. Even bigger than the one we’re already wearing.

So I sit up and turn toward him. My stomach sloshes uneasily, and I lick my lips as I prepare to tell him where my mind really went.

33

ALEX

Katherine leans away from my chest and turns, lifting a haunted blue-green gaze to mine.

I’m instantly on alert.

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