Page 39 of Stick to the Deal
“London.” He follows me through the open penthouse apartment to the kitchen area. His fingers finally leave his pockets to flip one of the straps of the bag on the counter. “You have plans tonight.” It’s a statement, not a question.
Desperate for something to do with my hands, I flit about the kitchen, grabbing glasses to fill with water. “Yeah. Just tonight, though, I’m free the rest of the weekend.”
His hand drops from the fabric. His features are still tense, a muscle spasms in his jaw. Storm clouds dance in his gray eyes. Suddenly he looks so lost, so sad, I’m filled with the desire to cheer him up.
Sidling up to him, I lay my hand on his arm. “I am happy to see you.” I catch his gaze with my own and some of the tension relaxes around his eyes. His hand reaches for me and lightly circles my waist. “I kind of suck at surprises.” I grin at him and his lips twitch into a slight smile.
The hand squeezes my side briefly, then leaves me. I instantly miss the contact and try not to show it.
Reginald digs into his carry-on and hands me two small boxes covered in newspaper with an envelope tucked into the twine. It’s obvious he wrapped them himself; the realization fills me with warmth. My eyes dart between the gifts to the man in front of me.
“Happy birthday.” The flush returns to his cheeks and I’m surprised at how sexy I find it.
“How did you know?” I carefully place the packages on the counter and eye him over my shoulder.
His face tips down, one palm grips the back of his neck while the other dives back into his pants pocket. “The profile from the matchmaker.”
I chuckle slightly and pull out the card. It is a simple piece of folded card stock with his confident handwriting slashed across the crisp white paper.
To my wife,
Like the swans, may you soar free
Happiest of birthdays
RB
In the envelope, I also find tickets to the New York Ballet’s production of Cinderella. I shoot him a grateful smile as I move on to the first box. Inside an acrylic case sit a pair of black pointe shoes. A feminine signature scrawls across the bottom of one.
“Those are from the production of Swan Lake we saw together.” His voice rumbles by my shoulder, where he’s stepped closer to see me unwrap my gifts.
I set the box on the counter where I can see the shoes easily, and move on to the next surprise. Inside is a novel and a pair of socks. Brows pinching, I flip over the book to read the back. It is a retelling of Swan Lake from Odette’s perspective by Mercedes Lackey. The dove gray socks are a thick knit, small black swans embroidered at the cuff of each.
Reginald clears his throat. I glance over to find him rocking back on his heels, both hands firmly in his pockets. “You seemed to appreciate Odette at the ballet, and I’ve seen you with a novel when you travel. I thought you might like this interpretation. The socks are a winter-grade thermal fleece. Figured they could keep your feet warm…” His voice trails off like he was going to add something else but had second thoughts.
“When you’re not there to?” I chuckle, remembering our first night together. He ducks his head slightly, making me smile. “Thank you.” I turn into him, planting a kiss on his warm cheek and snaking one arm around his neck. “I love it.”
As I’m about to pull away, his arms close around my waist, holding me tight. My breath escapes me in a sigh as I relax into his warm embrace. The tension slowly leaves my shoulders as I lean into him. I’m quickly getting addicted to Reginald’s hugs.
The sound of a key in the lock echoes through the quiet room. We both stiffen as the front door flies open.
“I hope you’re ready to go, suga’, but first I’m seriously about to pee…” Anna comes to a sudden stop. Her eyes are comically huge as she stares at us. “…Myself.”
“Uh, Anna, you want to shut the door?” Reluctantly, I step back from the hug. Reginald keeps one arm firmly around my back, so I rest my palm on his chest.
She remains frozen, her eyes darting back and forth between us. Suddenly regaining control of her body, a dazzling smile lights up her face and she whirls into action, shutting the door and striding forward. “Hello, you must be the husband.” Her eyes drop to our intimate pose. “Or at least I hope you are.” She sticks her hand out towards him.
A slight smile lifts his lips as he relaxes next to me. “I am. Reginald Bancroft, at your service. And you would be Anna?”
“Oh, so she’s told you about me? Funny, she’s been very tight-lipped about you.” Her eyes flare with fire as she shoots me a pointed look.
“I thought you had to pee.” Crossing my arms, I glare at her.
The irony is not lost on me. I cross-examined both Bree and Anna’s partners when they first showed up. Not so enjoyable being on the receiving end. I tell myself that’s the only reason I’ve continued to keep the two sides of my life separate.
Anna waves me off with her hand. “I can hold it a little longer. So, Reginald, how long have you been in town for?”
“Flew in today to surprise Nic for her birthday for a few days before heading back to New York for some meetings. I’m assuming you are her plans for the night?” The tension leaves his shoulders.
