Come Away with Me (With Me in Seattle, #1)(57)

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

The waiter reappears with our dessert of strawberry Crème Brulee tart, on one plate, and two glasses of the Eroica Ice Wine.

He also sets a baby blue Tiffany necklace sized box in the center of the table, bows to both of us, and walks away.

Oh. My. God.





Chapter Nineteen


I stare numbly at the perfect blue box tied with a white bow. What’s this?

“It’s for you,” he murmurs and grips my hand. My eyes find his and I just don’t know what to say.

“You shouldn’t have done this.” My voice is a whisper.

“You haven’t opened it yet,” he responds dryly, but his eyes are guarded. I’m sure this is not the response he was expecting. I don’t want to hurt his feelings.

He picks up the box and passes it to me. “Open it, baby.”

I pull the ribbon off the box and nestled beneath it on top of the box is a note.

These remind me of you. Simply beautiful.

-Luke Oh my.

I smile up at him and I see his shoulders relax a bit with his grin. He’s sitting forward, leaning on the table, waiting in anticipation for me to open the box.

I pull the lid off the box and gasp.

Nestled in Tiffany blue satin is a string of exquisite pearls. They have a platinum clasp, and the pearls are milky white, with an almost iridescent glow that reflects the soft twinkling lights around us. I lift them out of the box and they are smooth and cool to the touch.

“Luke, they’re fabulous.”

“Here,” he gracefully unfolds his lean body from his chair and comes to stand behind me, taking the strand of beautiful pearls from my hands and unclasping them. He drapes them around my neck, and my fingers immediately touch them as he fastens them. They lay just at my collarbone. He leans down and kisses me gently on the cheek and offers his hand to me as Norah Jones begins crooning about coming away with her.

“Dance with me.” His blue eyes are shining with happiness, and I’m so caught up in the romance, so caught up in him, I just can’t resist him.

“It would be my pleasure.” He pulls me into his arms and begins whisking me around the patio.

“Thank you for the beautiful pearls,” I whisper up to him.

“You are welcome, beautiful. They look perfect on you.” As he sways me back and forth in time to the music, he leans down and places his lips gently on mine.

“You’re good at this.”

He smiles down at me. “The studio made me take lessons.”

“I approve.”

“I’m happy to hear it.” As the song ends he pulls me closer against his chest and wraps his arms around me, planting his lips gently on my forehead. “Come home with me tonight.”

“You’d rather go to your place tonight?”


“Yes. I want you in my bed.”

I smile and run my fingers through his soft blonde hair, soaking in his beautiful face. His eyes are so blue, his freshly shaven jaw chiseled. I’ve never loved anyone so much.

“Okay. I’m going to need a few things from my house.”

His fingers trace my skin just under the pearls and a shiver dances down my spine. “Jules already took care of it.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Pretty sure of yourself.”

“Just hopeful, baby.” He kisses my forehead again, and cups my face in his hands. His lips find my nose, my cheeks and then settle softly on my lips. It’s one of his special, gentle kisses and I sigh as the muscles deep in my stomach begin to tighten.

“Take me home,” I whisper against his lips and his eyes blink open, burning with desire.

He leads me back to the table and I see that our things have been gathered up and most likely taken to the car. The waiter appears with my wrap and handbag and Luke tucks my hand in the crook of his elbow and escorts me back to the car, sliding across the leather seat behind me.

Inside, there is a fresh bottle of champagne and another fresh red rose.

“What is it with you and red roses?”

“You don’t like them?” His voice is worried, and he furrows his brow.

“No, I love them. You’re just spoiling me.” I bury my nose in the blossom and peek up at him through my lashes.

“You look very beautiful right now, in those pearls and black dress and red rose pressed to your face.” He runs his finger down my cheek and I sigh.

“Thank you.”

“Come here.” He lifts me effortlessly onto his lap and I curl into him, burying my face in his neck.

“Tonight was the most magical night of my life, Luke.”

I feel his smile as he kisses my forehead. “Mine too.”

***

“Wake up, baby, we’re home.” Luke is kissing my forehead and brushing my cheek with his fingers.

“I’m sorry I fell asleep.” I sit up and realize I’m still clutching the rose.

“I love holding you while you sleep, baby. Come on, let’s go in.” The driver opens Luke’s door and he lifts me onto the seat next to him, ushering me out ahead of him. He thanks the driver and escorts me into the house.

My feet are starting to feel the effects of these fantastically beautiful shoes, but I don’t want to take them off yet. Luke removes my wrap from my shoulders, skimming his fingers across my skin and just like that my libido wakes up.