Page 190 of The Perfect Spiral
“I love it,” I tell him, and I feel him relax immediately. His arms tighten around my waist, securing me to him, his hands resting gently on my stomach.
We stand there together on top of the building, watching the sun setting on the horizon.
When the sun finally sets, he teaches me to use my camera. He tells me the night shots are amazing when you edit them, and he’ll teach me to edit them too. He’s kind of sexy when he’s so focused and passionate about something.
But when he’s teaching you, he’s even sexier.
I can’t peel my eyes away from him, the way his jaw tenses up when he’s looking at the screen of the photo he’s just taken. The way his eyes scan the screen.
The way his eye crinkles when he closes it, looking through the lens, and the way he positions himself for the perfect shot. He turns his head to look at me and I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder.
His hand touches mine, and I feel myself melt into his touch. His hand is keeping me warm.
Pulling away from each other, we smile, but our faces are still close enough. He stands up and takes my hand. “I’ve one more surprise for you.”
I rise and walk around the other side with him to see a table with a candlelit dinner, a bottle of whiskey, peach schnapps, sprite, and sour mix. My favorite.
There is a man standing there with a towel wrapped around his arm, smiling at us. I break out in a laugh that he’s set this up for me. “No way! You did all of this for me?” He sets the camera down on a separate table.
He motions for me to walk to the table and I do. He holds the chair for me to sit down, sliding it underneath me, and makes his way around the table.
The dim lighting from the three candles in the center highlights his rugged face. Then it clicks.
“I get it now...” I say more to myself than anyone else. I didn’t realize he actually heard me until he asked, “Get what?”
“Why do the girls you’ve been with always seem to want more from you?” I ask, genuinely curious. This date is so incredible, it’s surreal that I’m actually here with him. I never imagined Knox Carter could be so romantic.
If he’d been this charming years ago, I would’ve fallen for him, no question. If you’d told me back then that I’d be on a date with Knox Carter, I would’ve laughed in your face. Loudly.
“I never really dated them, they were just flings. I was never serious about anyone. But I also never took them out on a date like this. I organized this one, but my agent organized the others. I just did it to keep myself... preoccupied until... you were single again.”
“And what if I hadn’t broken up with Drew?”
“I knew you would eventually. He used you and didn’t deserve you. And I’m glad you did.”
“Why are you glad? I’m not. I wasted nearly three years with him. Only to find out he cheated on me, and I know it wasn’t just the once.”
“I’m glad because now I get to take you out. I get a chance to show you the real me. He never deserved a girl like you, you’re too good for him.”
I smile at his flattering words while taking a sip of the green tea cocktail the waiter made me. It’s delicious and I’m going to getso drunk by the end of this meal if I don’t slow down.
We order from a menu that was left on the tables and sit there, taking in the breathtaking view.
“Who knew Knox Carter would be such a romantic,” I tease him while taking another sip from my favorite drink.
I sit back in the chair with the blanket wrapped around my legs and four outdoor heaters surrounding us. He knows I get cold easily.
“Only for the right girl... I’ll let you know when I meet her,” he winks with a cheeky smile on his face and I roll my eyes, smiling back at him.
“Good, maybe I can talk some sense into her when you do,” I stick out my tongue at him, feeling childish and carefree. I’m really enjoying this date, I actually don’t want to leave.
Chapter 65
Our food arrives and the pasta carbonara looks delicious. It’s steaming hot and I sprinkle parmesan cheese on top. I love cheese.
Knox has a huge steak in front of him with vegetables and fries. We thank the server who has been so nice tonight.
“Hey, I know you want to keep me all to yourself, but give her a chance. You might like her?” Leaning on his elbows on the table, he looks over to me, smirking across the candles.
