“What are you doing with all these photos?” he asked.
“Oh, I was going to sort them all and then figured I could purchase some photo boxes so they can be preserved.”
So many memories. So many good times. These pictures were irreplaceable. Plus, she had a surprise in mind for each of them.
“I wasn’t expecting you back so early,” she commented. “I don’t see any bags.” Sterling peeked into the hall to confirm.
“Not today.” He smiled, a mysterious grin that foretold of his intentions. Did he have something up his sleeve? “You did as I asked? You brought a change of clothes?”
She nodded.
“Good.” He pointed his thumb in the direction of the doorway. “We’re leaving in forty-five minutes.”
“But…” She had too much work to do. “I’m not done.”
He smiled. “I think your boss would be all right with you taking off early.”
Sterling’s stomach jumped excitedly. “Where are we going?”
He crossed his arms. “That’s a surprise.”
She moaned. “I hate surprises. Of course, you like them.”
“I like surprising you.”
Her heart raced. This man was full of the unexpected, and not just when it came to making plans.
“Double-check that you have everything you need. We’re on a schedule.” He sauntered out, whistling as he headed toward his bedroom.
With every minute they spent together, their relationship threatened to move away from the word “casual.” But maybe she was okay with that. She wanted to experience new things. She wanted to have some fun. This was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. Now she just needed to make sure she kept her heart out of the equation, because what could a man who has everything want with a woman who couldn’t even afford to buy underwear? And who, for all intents and purposes, paid for two households? Not to mention the fact that in two weeks he’d be gone and she’d still be stuck in the same place, never able to make a start on her own.
Sterling raced around finishing a few last-minute things. When she rummaged through her bag to make sure she was prepared she found items that didn’t belong to her. She peeked inside and gasped. None of the items she had packed were in the bag, and on the very top was a note from Penn.
You’re the worst packer in the world.
It’s time to get your sexy on. Have fun!
P
She must have switched it before she left the night before. Instead of Sterling’s three-quarter-length skirt and black scoop-neck shirt was a slinky black halter dress. Instead of her sensible cotton bra and panties was something black, lacy, and like nothing she would ever wear. At least the tags were still on. The garments mocked her. What the hell was Sterling going to do with sexy lingerie? And her passport? What the hell did she need with a passport?
“Damn it, Penn!”
But there was nothing she could do about it now. She would just have to do everything in her power not to have a wardrobe malfunction in the middle of their date. That stupid dress Penn had forced her to wear on the boat was traumatizing enough. She would not have a repeat of that night.
Zipping up the bag, Sterling checked her appearance in the mirror one last time. Excitement tickled her stomach. She had a feeling that tonight was going to be one of the best nights of her life.
…
When they arrived at the airport, her stomach twisted. When they boarded a shuttle, her stomach danced. When she stepped onto the tarmac where a small jet waited, she could barely breathe. “Jack? What are we doing here?”
“You and I have a date.” He winked as he directed her toward the plane. “Got your passport?”
Sterling nodded. “A date is dinner and a movie. Not boarding a plane.” This was…above and beyond the idea of having fun.
“Do you get the impression I do things according to the norm?”
“If I did before, I definitely don’t now.” She scurried behind him, the sun beating down on them from above. The air-conditioned plane lured her inside.