Page 41 of She's Mine

“I’d like that,” I replied.

We spent a leisurely morning just hanging around the cabin, before I insisted David and I separate so that we could get ready for our date.

“I want it to feel like we’re going out for dinner somewhere and haven’t just spent all day together in the cabin,” I insisted.

David was more than happy to oblige my request, and so, for the first time in weeks, I went to the guest room to shower and get ready.

Fortunately, I had packed a beautiful red evening dress. I hadn’t really thoughtwhyI’d need a dress like this at the time I’d prepared to go into hiding, but on a whim, I’d brought it along. Now, I was glad I had it. I styled my hair in loose curls, and applied sultry makeup, with smokey eyeshadow and lipstick that matched my dress.

As I looked in the mirror, I thought I looked different. I looked … I don’t know … happier? And older, somehow.

I’d never felt this content in my life, and even though the threat of the Bloodline still hung over me like a dark shadow, I had hope, too. I knew it wouldn’t be long before Jeffrey and the rest of J&J Security caught the cartel, and then my family and I would be safe and free.

And once that moment came, I intended on making the most of life. As soon as I was able to, I was going to enroll at the local university to study fashion design. And while I had no intention of cutting Brittany or Courtney out of my life, I was more than ready to give up the wild parties.

Was it weird that I was actually thinking of settling down?

I knew David and I hadn’t even been together for two months yet, and there was still a lot of obstacles to overcome -- not least of all my father’s reaction -- but I felt certain we could have a future together, and after a few years had passed, perhaps we could even discuss marriage and starting a family.

My imagination got carried away with itself, and as I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I couldn’t help but imagine my stomach rounded with David’s child. When I was younger, I’d wanted to be a mom someday, and those feelings had only been pushed aside in the name of partying. But now I was ready to leave my wild lifestyle behind, I knew with certainty that someday -- after my career was established -- I wanted to become a mother.

And I could think of no better father than David.

I shook the fantasy from my head. It wasmuchtoo soon to be having thoughts like that. Instead, I turned to the package Mavis had left in my room and opened it carefully.

The books were old, slightly worn and smelled musty. But, considering they were published in 1954, they were in amazingly good condition. I knew David would love them.

I wrapped the books carefully in some gift paper I’d ordered online, and then, finally ready for our date, I stepped out of the bedroom.

A moment later, the door to David’s room opened, and my breath caught in my throat at the sight of him. I always thought he looked incredible, but especially so with his dark hair slicked back, and his beard neatly trimmed. He was wearing a black designer suit, with a crisp, white open collared shirt that revealed a tantalizing glimpse of his dark chest hair.

But the most surprising thing was the beautiful bouquet of a dozen red roses he was holding.

“These are for you,” David said, giving me a slight bow as he presented the flowers to me.

“Oh, David, these are beautiful.” I gratefully accepted the flowers from him, and as I did, noticed that he had a red pocket square in the breast pocket of his jacket, the shade an almost perfect match for my dress.

I was about to comment on it, when David’s eyes caught a glimpse of the package in my other hand, and he raised an eyebrow. “And what’s this?”

“I got a present for you too. But I’m afraid I’m going to make you wait until we’re downstairs, and I’ve got a vase for these flowers, before you can open it.”

“You tease!” David said playfully, looping his arm through mine, as we walked downstairs together.

I gasped when I stepped out onto the deck and saw that Mavis had decorated it especially for mine and David’s date, with a crisp white tablecloth and napkins in the same shade as David’s pocket square. There were candles, and fairy lights, and even a crystal vase waiting for the roses.

“Did you two plan all this?” I asked, as David pulled out a seat for me.

“I knew you wanted tonight to be special,” Mavis replied, giving me a subtle wink. “The first course will be served soon. Enjoy your evening.”

Mavis retreated into the house, leaving David and I alone to open the wine Lawrence had specifically chosen to go with our meal.

“All this is amazing,” I said, taking a sip of the fruity and citrusy sauvignon blanc.

“You deserve the best,” David said, taking a sip of his own wine.

“I wanted to thank you again for everything you’ve done for me, since, well, you know--”

David smiled, reached across the table and took my hands. “This might have started out as just another job for me, but it didn’t take long for you to carve a place in my heart. I do all this now because I care about you and would give my life to protect yours.”

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