“I want to take you out on a date,” he rumbles.
“What?”
He grins. “You know, sweetheart. A date where two people who enjoy each other’s company go to dinner and maybe more, if things go really well.”
I laugh. “Don’t we do that every night already?”
He shakes his head. “No. We come up here and make sweet love hidden from the world. But you shouldn’t be hidden, Jemima, because you’re a beautiful woman and I want to take you out somewhere nice. Let’s let someone else cook us a fine meal and clean up afterwards. I want to go someplace where we can dress up and I’ll open doors for you. You know, the whole shebang.”
I giggle. “That sounds great, but if we go anywhere around here, you’ll be recognized. Word will make it back to the Wilshire and then everyone who works here will know about us before the end of the day.”
He smirks at me fondly. “I think that cat is already out of the bag, honey.”
“True,” I nod. “But if we flaunt it, things could get weird for me at reception, and I like my job here. I don’t want people avoiding me because they’re worried I’ll run and tell you.”
The handsome man thinks for a moment. “That makes sense. Okay, let’s go to Manhattan then. You’re right, I’m too well-known around Atlantic City, so why not get away for a bit? Besides, there’s an amazing Italian restaurant in the city that I’d love to take you to.”
I smile brightly. “I do love a great lasagna.”
Bruce grins. “Good.” Then, he bends down and gives me a quick kiss. “We’ll leave here at four and that should put us in the city for dinner a little after six. Sound good?”
Pressing my hands against his chest, I push him away. “Yes, definitely! But that means you need to get up! If we’re going on a date to New York City tonight I’ve got a lot to do, and you’ve got to get to work if you’re going to cut out tonight.”
Rolling off the bed, he laughs. “And what do you have to do, honey?”
I pretend to think hard. “I’ve got to get my hair done, get my nails done, and pick out an outfit worthy of Manhattan. You know, the things women do to get ready for dates!”
With that, Bruce laughs heartily again. I climb out of bed, but he grabs me by the waist and pulls me up against him, my back pressed to his front. Then he nuzzles his face into my neck, before planting a kiss on my cheek with a loud smack. “You could go just like this and you’d be the most beautiful woman in town.”
I can’t stop my smile. “Yes, but I imagine the restaurant probably has a rule about guests showing up completely naked.”
He mock frowns.
“Are you sure? Sounds like a boring restaurant to me.” I smack his arm playfully, and he chuckles. “Alright, you win,” he says. “Guess I have some work to get done before this afternoon anyways. If you want, call down to the spa. They can take care of all your grooming needs.”
“Yes, but I doubt they can fit me in,” I say with a sigh. “Even if they could, it’s a bit out of my price point.”
But Bruce merely shakes his head. “No, sweetie. Anything that’s mine is yours, and everything in this hotel is mine, so your money is no good here.”
I stare at him with confusion. “But…”
Bruce merely reaches for his phone. “I’ll call down and let them know to expect you. I know they’ll fit you in if the order is coming from the boss,” he says. “Besides, I want you nice and relaxed so you enjoy our date tonight. Pamper yourself, honey. Go all out because I want to spoil you.”
My heart leaps as I wrap my arms around his strong neck and kiss him passionately. “No matter what, spa or no spa, I know I’m going to love this date.”
The billionaire businessman merely kisses me, nipping my bottom lip, before dropping his forehead to mine and letting out a groan. “Alright, I think we both better get our days started or we’re not going to make it out of this bedroom.”
I giggle and then turn around and quickly walk away, swishing my hips. “Go to work,” I say sassily before closing the door to the bathroom. “I’ll see you later, Brucie-boy.”
The spa did an amazing job with my hair. The stylist pulled it in a half up-do, leaving the bulk of my curls down, cascading over one shoulder and highlighting my neckline. I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen my locks with so much shine or bounce, and not a bit of frizz. Plus, the in-house make-up artist was wonderful. She’s so talented and I had her keep my makeup elegant, yet simple, so my eyes are highlighted with mascara, and a beautiful rose shade of lipstick draws attention to my pout.