Page 30 of His Secret Virgin
“I know, Dad. Mrs. Kramer told me that already. She’s told me everything I need to know.” I rolled my eyes even though no one could see me. Sometimes my parents could exasperate me. “I can handle this—and myself. How about we give each other some space this weekend? I’ll check in each night by text, and then we’ll see each other at home on Sunday evening.”
“Are you sure about that, sweetie?” Mom asked. “You’ve never been alone that long.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m perfectly safe here. No reason for anyone to worry about me, okay?” I reassured them as I went to the bathroom. “I’m going to freshen up then head out. I’ll text you tomorrow night.”
“No,” came Dad’s answer to that. “Tonight, too. Around nine or so. Not any later than ten. Got it?”
“Sure.” I couldn’t expect miracles. “Bye.” I ended the call then placed the phone on the vanity as I looked at my reflection. “Hmm, yup. You look like an adult. Why don’t they see you like one?”
After running the straightener through my hair, I washed my face then applied a little mascara, some pink lip gloss, and added a little blush to top it all off. I changed into a pink sundress and some tan flats, then left the room to go take a tour of the town.
Walking down the stairs, I felt that charge in the air again. The hotel must’ve seen some pretty amazing people in its time. At least that’s what I chalked the energy up to.
Just before I entered the lobby, I heard a deep voice that seemed familiar. And as I rounded the corner, I saw why. “Christopher,” I whispered.
His head turned as if he’d heard me. Then a smile pulled his chiseled lips up at each corner. “Emma, how’s it going?”
“Um. I…um,” I stammered, having no idea how it was going.
The bellhop was the same guy who’d helped me. He stood on the other side of Christopher, who turned to tell him, “Take my things up, please. I’ll be up later.” Then Christopher came toward me. “So, how do you like Concord so far, Emma?”
“I took a nap,” I blurted out like some kind of idiot.
“A nap?” He came to stand right in front of me. His expensive cologne tickled my nostrils. “This schedule is new to you. I’m sure you needed to catch up on your sleep.”
“What are you doing here?” I asked, my body tingling at the thought that we’d be spending the night under the same roof.
“Just a little getaway. My daughters went on some excursion with their mother, and I was home alone.” He shifted his weight then looked past me. “I wanted a change of scenery.”
“Wow.” My parents had told me that the scenery from his mansion was to die for. “I guess you don’t like to be alone much, do you?”
His eyes came back to mine. “It’s never bothered me. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be alone, I just wanted to do something a little different, that’s all.”
Then I realized that he probably wanted to be alone to enjoy his getaway, and I was getting in his way. “Well, I’ll get out of your way then and leave you to it.” I turned to walk away, but his hand on my shoulder stopped me.
“That’s okay. I actually came here so you wouldn’t feel so alone in this place. I’ve made dinner reservations at Granite, here in the hotel.” He ran his hand from my shoulder down my arm before pulling away, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. “I’d like for you to join me, if you can. The reservation is at eight.”
“You want me to join you?” I asked with surprise, shaking my head in disbelief.
“Yes, please.” He smiled at me again, and it made my heart skip a beat. “Or would you hate to be seen in the company of an old man like me?”
“Old man?” He was anything but that in my eyes. “I wouldn’t hate to be seen in your company at all. And I don’t think you’re an old man, either. I thought it might be embarrassing for you to be seen with me.”
His smile turned into a frown. “And why’s that, Emma?”
Shrugging, I didn’t know quite how to put it. “Just ’cause I’m a nobody kid, I guess.”
With a sigh, he looked me right in the eyes. “You’re not a kid, and you’re not a nobody.” He took me by the chin, his thumb rubbing my skin the slightest bit. “And I would be the envy of all the men in the restaurant if you would join me for dinner.”
“You would?” I couldn’t believe he’d said such a thing.
“I would,” he said, He moved his hand away from my face, and I felt its loss in every part of my body.
The thought of spending the evening with this man sent a bolt of sensation through me. My panties felt wet, my entire body vibrated, and something was happening in my nether regions that had never happened before.
“Is it a formal dress code?” I asked. I hadn’t brought anything formal.
“What you have on now is perfect, Emma.” He chuckled quietly, the sound deep and sexy. “Are you trying to make excuses to not join me?”
“No.” I wasn’t doing that at all. I just couldn’t rationalize why he’d want to eat dinner with me. “My father might not approve, Mr. Taylor.”
“What’s this Mr. Taylor stuff?” He took my chin in between his fingers again. “I thought we’d already discussed that. When we’re not at work, you’re Emma and I’m Christopher. And as far as your father’s approval goes, I don’t see him here, and you’re not a baby. So, will you join me for dinner or leave me to dine alone this evening?”
I didn’t know what to say, so I just nodded, to which he frowned. I could see that my way of answering wasn’t enough for him, so I said, “Okay, I’ll join you for dinner.”
And that was that—my first date. If that’s what it really was.
A girl could dream.
