A knock sounds downstairs, and we all freeze.
"That's him," Summer says.
My stomach flips.
Gemma links her arm with mine."Come on.Let's go knock your man dead."
Gage is standing near the bottom of the stairs, back to me, talking with Carter.But when he hears my steps, he turns, and everything about him stills.He looks up, and the second our eyes meet, everything else disappears.His lips part slightly, like he's about to say something but forgets how to form words.
My breath catches.Because no one has ever looked at me like that.As if I'm the center of gravity.Like I'm not just beautiful, but his.
I take a deep breath.My heart is thudding so loud I'm sure they can hear it in the kitchen.My heels click softly against the hardwood as I descend, each step deliberate, as I try to steady the nerves fluttering in my stomach.
"Wow," he murmurs, finally finding his voice as I reach the last step.He steps forward, offering his hand."You're...you're breathtaking."
Heat rushes to my cheeks as I slide my fingers into his."You clean up pretty well yourself."
He's in dark slacks and a black button-down, with sleeves rolled to his elbows, and his jaw freshly shaved.He looks like trouble, the best kind.
He lifts my hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles."This is going to be a problem."
I raise a brow."Why?"
He smiles."Because now I don't want to take you out.I want to take you home."
I laugh, the tension melting from my shoulders."Later."
"I'm going to hold you to that," he says, leading me out the door with his hand still wrapped around mine like he's never letting go.
He opens the car door for me, and once we're on the road, I finally ask, "So where are we going?"
He smiles, that smug, knowing kind that always gets under my skin."It's a surprise."
We drive through the city as the lights blur by the windows.We talk about our day, and I share about my conversation with Summer and Gemma about this not really being a first date.Finally, we pull into a quiet lot near one of the most upscale districts.
My brow furrows."This neighborhood...it's way out of my league."
"Not tonight, it's not."
He parks and leads me toward a sleek, modern building with cascading greenery on the facade and soft, ambient lighting.I pause when I see the sign.
"This is a spa."
"Observant, as always," he teases.
I shoot him a look, but he just grins.Inside, everything is calm and luxurious.Soft music.Warm lighting.A woman at the desk greets us with a smile and nods toward the back.
We step into a glass-walled office, and my breath catches.It overlooks a private garden and a pool.The place drips with elegance.And sitting behind the desk is a man in his late sixties, silver-haired and well-dressed.
"Skye, this is Stephen Calloway," Gage says."Stephen, this is Skye."
Stephen rises and shakes my hand."Pleasure to meet you.I've heard a lot."
Stephen gestures for me to take a seat across from him in the sleek office that overlooks the city skyline.I settle into the buttery leather chair, trying not to let my awe show.Everything about this place screams luxury, from the soft music playing in the background to the fresh-cut flowers on the desk.
"You've built something incredible here," I say, because it's the truth.
Stephen gives a small, appreciative smile."Thank you.It's taken years, but it's time for me to slow down.I don't want to be here six days a week anymore.I want to travel with my wife.Spend time with my grandkids."