Sweet Surrendering (Surrender Saga #1)(37)
Author: Chelsea M. Cameron

I ducked my head and headed out the door and he followed behind me and then we went our separate ways.

My phone rang a few seconds later.

“Hello, Miss Clarke.” I turned around and he was still visible about a hundred feet down the sidewalk.

“Hello, Mr. Blaine. Was there something you needed?”

“No. I just wanted to ask you what you wanted for dinner.” I swore I could see his smile shining at me from this distance.

“Surprise me. Good-bye, Mr. Blaine. I’ll see you in an hour.” I ended the call and kept walking toward the T.

About ten minutes later, my phone buzzed with a text message from him.

How do you feel about pizza?

I shook my head and typed a response.

Pizza and I have been in an intimate relationship for many years. I would marry pizza if I could.

I sent it and waited for a response as I walked back up to the street level and started toward my apartment. My phone buzzed with a response.

Who am I to stand in the way of true love? Pizza it is.

I smiled and put my phone away. Texting and walking was a dangerous sport and I didn’t want any part in it.

Sloane wasn’t back yet from work, so I texted her and she said she was stuck at the studio and might be pulling an all-nighter. That wasn’t unusual when she was working on something new, or preparing for a show, so I told her that I was sending her imaginary coffee and if she did get home I wouldn’t be there because I was also stuck at the office. And by stuck, I meant having sex and by office, I meant with Lucas.

I’d fill her in tomorrow. I just didn’t want to get into why this was such a bad life decision now. Lucas was waiting.

I spent most of the hour away from him trying to pick out the best set of underwear I owned. I still had the two pieces from Sloane, but he’d seen them already and I felt kind of weird wearing them again. So I chose a simple white lace bra and white panties. They were sweet and comfortable and I hoped he liked them.

Since we were having pizza, I figured the night was going to be casual, so I went with a comfortable t-shirt that made my boobs look great, and black skinny jeans. I took my hair out and put up again in a loose ponytail. I did one last check in the mirror, made sure I had enough supplies in my bag for any emergencies (tampons, toothbrush, deodorant, birth control) and I was off.

The entire cab ride to Lucas’ I alternated between giddy excitement and telling myself what a terrible idea this was, while picturing scenes in which he and I were caught in the act and there was a dramatic firing and my Dad just shook his head in shame at me.

The cab stopped outside Lucas’ apartment and I paid the fare and got out, my legs a little wobbly.

My phone rang, and I had kind of expected it.

“Hello, Aurora Clarke. If you’ll proceed to the front door, just tell the doorman who you are and you can come right in.” I looked up at the building, but there was no way he could see me from his place unless he had night vision binoculars. Well, that was a creepy thought.

“I’m standing in the lobby. I can see you,” he said, as if sensing my reluctance.

I looked into the lobby and saw him through the glass doors. He waved one hand and I waved back, feeling a little foolish. The doorman let me in when I said my name and Lucas came forward to meet me. He was casual as well, in another band shirt and faded jeans.

“You look great, as always,” he said, kissing my cheek.

“Thanks.” He took my bag from me, and grabbed my hand as we walked toward the elevator.

“This feels like a date,” I said.

“Do you want it to be a date?” I looked at him as the elevator started to rise.

“No. I mean, if this is a date, then that means we are dating, which means that we need to put a label on it, and that’s not what this is. You and me, we’re nights. Just nights. I have to draw the line.”

“Okay, then this isn’t a date. But I have a few requests for this nights-only arrangement.”

“Proceed.”

“Call me Lucah.” I still wanted to know why he wanted me to, but I knew he wasn’t going to tell me why. This man was a deep well and I didn’t think he was going to let me see the bottom. Not that I should try. He wasn’t my boyfriend and I wasn’t falling in love with him.

“Okay, I can do that. Anything else?”

“I don’t think we should discuss work or the office.”

“Yes, that’s another good one. I also think we should keep this arrangement to ourselves. I told Sloane that I had to work all night, so that’s where she thinks I am.”

“Agreed.”

“Agreed.”

“Do you want to put this in writing and then shred it?” I poked him with my elbow.

“No, I think I can trust you.”

“Ah, that will be your misfortune. I may suddenly but inevitably betray you.” Wait. Hold up.

“Did you just quote Firefly?” I said.

He kept a straight face as we walked toward his door and he unlocked it.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

His apartment was spotless as usual. He had a very minimalist decorating style, and it worked for him, but I wished there were more personal items around so I could get a better sense of him. No pictures, no little knickknacks from trips or any extraneous things. It was a bit odd, but I guess he was just that kind of guy.

“So you said you loved pizza, but have you ever tried it with truffles?” That must be the amazing smell that had taken over his apartment. There were two pizza boxes on the counter and a few other containers with things in them.

“I haven’t, but my roommate makes truffle mac and cheese and that’s to die for.” He took my bag and set it in the bedroom, then came back and put his arms around me.

“I’ve been wanting to do that all day. Do you know how hard it is not to cross the space between us during the day and put my arms around you? And my hands on you?” As he spoke his hands traveled down my back and cupped my ass.

I shook my head and pulled away.

“You’re not supposed to talk about the place-that-must-not-be-spoken-of.”

“How could I have broken that rule already? Are you going to punish me?” he said with a wicked smile.

“Maybe. I might make you get on your knees for it.” I moved my hands down and squeezed his butt. It really was the bee’s knees of butts.

“That wouldn’t be a punishment,” he said, and I could feel him getting hard. Hmm, pizza might have to wait.