“I get a bug to get out of that trailer every now and then.”
She laughed. “I imagine you do. This is very . . . expansive.” And, she imagined, sinfully expensive. As she looked out over the park and the skyscape, she was envious of those who lived in this beautiful city.
“I could live here.”
“At the Plaza or in Manhattan?”
She laughed. “Definitely in Manhattan, though it’s decadent to think about living in this suite.”
“Yeah? You like what you see?”
“What’s not to like? I love that you can walk everywhere, that there’s awesome transportation. I love the sights of the city, the never-ending choices in food, the atmosphere, the frenetic pace.”
“It is nice here. But I still like my place on the beach the best. There’s a quiet that I can’t get anywhere else.”
She leaned against him. “I can appreciate the beauty there, too. The nice thing is you could afford to have homes in a lot of places.”
“That’s true. And you like the heartbeat of D.C.”
“I do, but mainly for work. D.C. lacks the beauty of New York or the quiet peacefulness of the beach in Daytona.”
“You should marry a rich guy who can give you houses in all your favorite places.
Then, when you’re not busy ruling the world, you can vacation there.”
She laughed. “Yeah, in a perfect world that’ll happen.”
He kissed her neck. “Dream big, princess. You never know what might happen.”
He turned and walked inside. She watched him go, pondering what he said.
*
GRAY WANTED TO MAKE THIS NIGHT PERFECT FOR EVELYN. After they showered, they got dressed. Evelyn looked beautiful in a cream-colored dress that hugged her curves at the top and had a sinful slit up the side. And those heels made her legs look spectacular.
“Oh, did you want to stay in tonight?” he asked as he met her at the foot of the stairs.
She frowned. “I thought we were going out. Is this dress not the right choice?”
He took her hand and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. “You’re a knockout, but I don’t know if I can go out in public with a hard-on.”
She laughed. “Thank you. I still have no idea where we’re going.”
“You’ll see.” He tucked her hand in his arm and they took the elevator down to the lobby, where a car was waiting.
“I feel a little decadent,” she said as they slid into the back of the private car.
“Do you? Good. It’s nice to get away from the dirty track every now and then and live like the rich folks do.”
She laughed. “Gray, you are the rich folks.”
He arched a brow. “Am I?”
The driver took them to the restaurant, where a valet opened the door for them.
“Welcome to Daniel.”
“Oh, I’ve heard of this restaurant. It’s one of the finest in Manhattan,” Evelyn said as they made their way inside. “But very hard to get into. How did you get a reservation? I heard you have to make them a month or so in advance.”
“Well,” Gray said after he’d given his name and they were shown to their table. “I have a few connections here and there.”
“Is that right? I’m impressed.”
They looked over the wine list. “What would you like?” he asked.
“I love wine. All sorts. Something red and smooth?”
He nodded and ordered a bottle after their sommelier made a few suggestions.
“This place is lovely, Gray. Thank you for bringing me here.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“You’re constantly surprising me.”
“Am I? How’s that?”
“I don’t know. Every time I think I know you, it’s like you peel a new layer off that onion.”
He cocked a brow. “Yeah? Good. I’d hate to be predictable. Predictable is boring.”
“Trust me, Gray. You are anything but boring.”
They had dinner and Gray paid the check. The car was waiting for them and took them to the theater district. He watched Evelyn’s eyes widen as the car let them out in front of the theater.
“Seriously?”
His lips curved. “I thought you might want to see a show while we’re here.”
She squeezed his hand after they got out of the car. “I’d love to. And it’s a musical.
I love musicals. How did you know?”
He shrugged. “A wild guess.”
As they took their seats near the front of the theater, Evelyn whispered, “I feel like Cinderella tonight. You’re the prince and you’re making all my dreams come true.”
She brushed her lips against his. “Thank you for that.”
Gray sucked in a breath at the emotion rolling around his gut. He didn’t know what to do about it—what to do about Evelyn and all these feelings that seemed to pummel him whenever he spent time with her. And those feelings were growing, making him wonder how he was going to live his life without her after she was through with her business with him.