Page 86 of The Photograph

On the moon for all I care.“Anywhere you want. I’ll make sure we have a private room, so you won’t be bothered by other diners.”

When her smile blooms, lighting up her eyes, more warmth spreads in my chest, and I get harder. “Or we can have dinner at my place. I’ll pick you up at 7:00. My chef is probably not as good as your sister, but it’ll be quiet.”

A small chuckle escapes her biteable lips, and I take a sharp inhale.Never realized how much I like that sound.

Still smiling, she says, “Probably not. But I’m completely biased. No need to pick me up, I’ll make my way to the penthouse.”

“Not the penthouse. My house—”

“Angel, did you see my—?”

We whip our eyes toward Cara who comes to an abrupt stand still when she sees me. Her eyes narrow on us before zeroing in on her sister who steps back. “You’re all right, angel?”

Aelin lifts her eyes to mine and touches my chest. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

That’s good enough for me.As I walk past Cara, she steps before me and flicks her curls over her shoulders.

“Aelin’s too good for you and you know it.”

Trust me,I do.I nod. “I do.”

She narrows her eyes. “Next time you hurt her, I’ll be there, and they’ll never find your stupidly big body.”

Ignoring Aelin’s small gasp, I meet Cara’s fierce glare. “If I hurt her again, I’ll buy the shovel. Or the acid. Whatever you’re working with.”

She grunts while I let her read the truth in my eyes until she steps aside.

Cara didn’t kick me out of the house. I open my car and grin.

Baby steps.

****

The next evening, the car signals her arrival. Aelin refused to be picked up by me or my driver.

This time I’m going to be slow, gentle, and careful. Treat her like the diamond she is.

I open the heavy reinforced oak door just as she reaches for the doorbell.

“Gabe, hi.”

Fuck. How am I supposed to keep my hands off of her?

She’s wearing a cream-colored dress that grazes the top of her long smooth legs and appears to be made from a single piece of cloth, high heeled sandals, and golden drop earrings.

I take her small hand and pull her in. “You look beautiful. “Please, come in.”

In the living-dining room, she smiles when she sees the fireplace, a huge six meters wide and two meters tall grey stone rectangular foyer. After taking in the details of the large room with wall-to-wall windows leading to the patio and the illuminated swimming pool, she turns to me.

“You have a beautiful home.”

I can’t remember the last time I was that nervous.

“Would you like something to drink?”

A small smile that doesn’t reach her eyes floats briefly across her flushed face. “I’ll have whatever you’re having.”

“Scotch on ice?”

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