“Why not?”

She shrugs. I take mine out and put it on. She looks me up and down with a smile at the corners of her lips.

“Okay, Jace. I see you. Damn. You’re fine as fuck, you know that?”

“Where’s your coat, Ny? We need to go,” I chuckle.

“Hold on. It’s in the room. I’ll be right back. This dude in here looking like a GQ Viking, trying to show me up,” she mutters as she rushes for the bedroom.

Nyla

I’d be lying if I said I’m not super excited. I was surprised when Jace told me to pack an overnight bag, my jewelry, and my fur. Once we arrived at the hotel this morning, he sent me to the spa and this gown was waiting for me when I returned.

We had lunch at a restaurant a few blocks away. After he took me to a bookstore. This has been an amazing day.

I wonder what he’s up to next as we ride in the back of the limo. I look over at him and he looks a little nervous, but he’s so freaking handsome. The tux, the fur, his man bun. I don’t think I’ve seen him like this before. I know he gets dressed up for parties with Gio, but never like this.

I reach to cup the side of his face and lean to press my face against his jaw. “I’m going to love wherever you take me. No matter where it is. Today has already been great.”

I pull away to look up into his eyes. They’re gray now. They were green earlier.

His gaze drops to my lips. I bite my lower lip and smile. Placing his hand behind my head he dips to take my mouth.

I love the way he kisses. It’s so much different from when we were younger. His kisses now have a smooth possessiveness about them. They’re more passionate and devouring than they used to be.

He groans and pulls away. “I love you. I wanted to do something to make you smile.”

“This is our first real date. I’m already smiling.” A look of awe comes over his face. “What? What did I say?”

“I didn’t think you realized that.”

“That it’s our first date? Jace, do you really think I value us so little? I know the date of our first kiss, the first time we made love, and I still remember the first time you told me you love me.”

He pecks my lips. “We’re here.”

I look out of the window and gasp. I turn into him and bury my face in his shoulder. “The opera house? Really?”

“I still remember the first time your mom took us. You were so excited.”

I look up at him with tears in my eyes. “Thank you. This means the world to me.”

“Gio said you would like it. I was sort of second-guessing myself.”

“You shouldn’t. You’re a great boyfriend. And you should call Gio because you can so get it for this.”

He grins from ear to ear. “He already gave me permission.”

I grab his coat and pull him into me. I kiss him with the promise of later. I reach to squeeze him over his pants.

He breaks the kiss and places his forehead to mine. “We need to get inside.”

“This is going to be awesome,” I sing.

CHAPTER 41

Stop Thinking

Jace

The night went better than I could have hoped. I sat watching Ny’s face as she took in the show. She was so entranced.

My heart was so full from watching her joy. A happy Ny is a gorgeous Ny. Her joy emits from her entire being.

“She loved it,” I say into the phone.

“I told you she would. You didn’t have to call me. I respect it, but it wasn’t necessary. Go enjoy the night. I’ll see you guys in the morning.”

“Thanks, G.”

“Yeah.” He hangs up.

I toss the phone down and pick up my glass of Herradura dark tequila. Then I cross the room to where I placed my iPod on the music deck. Throwing back the drink, I pick up the iPod and scroll through for the playlist I made for tonight.

Dru Hill’s “Beauty” starts to play through the speakers. I put the glass down and loosen my tie. I start on the buttons of my shirt but leave it tucked in.

I’ve been waiting for Ny to come back out. She told me to wait out here. I look toward the bedroom and the door is still closed.

Kicking off my shoes, I then take off my socks. With the glass in hand, I go for another drink. Once poured, I take it back to the couch to sit and wait.

The light from the bedroom grabs my attention as the door opens. Ny stands in the doorway in the sexy heels she wore this evening and her fur coat. She’s naked beneath the coat, with only her jewels twinkling at me. I can’t take my eyes off her as she sways her hips and comes to me.


Tags: Blue Saffire Crime