She grinned. “Sometimes?”
He pulled her down onto his lap, wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, and looked into her eyes. “I love you.”
“You do?” She nuzzled her cheek against his newly restored scruff.
“I never say those words unless I mean them.”
“I love you too.”
He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. Oh how she adored him when he smiled at her like that.
“I loved you first,” she said. “I just hadn’t told you yet.”
“Someday I’ll tell you exactly when I knew I loved you. Then we’ll see who was first.”
“Must you always have the upper hand?”
He cupped her face and kissed her. “Always, Katie.”
After his declaration of love there was a part of Kate that wanted to stay home, to keep him all to herself. She pictured him lighting a fire and them sipping drinks and snuggling on the couch. But she was also excited to introduce Ian to her friends. Certainly no one would think he was imaginary after tonight, and they’d have plenty of time to be alone when they returned home.
Kate slipped her arms into an A-line black wool cape with a hood.
Ian whistled. “Holy smokes, a cape.”
“A necessary purchase when you’re dating a superhero. I bought it when my mom and I went shopping the day after Christmas. Do you like it?”
“Yes. You look like Little Red Riding Hood’s beautiful—and more adventurous—big sister.”
“I am definitely open to new experiences,” she said, laughing.
What Ian didn’t know was that he was the one who was making her that way. He was as free-spirited in bed as he was in everything else, and she’d gone along for the ride eagerly, willingly. She had no reason to say no when everything he did felt so good. He seemed to love taking her out of her comfort zone, which was a bit of a misnomer considering nothing he’d done to her so far was uncomfortable in the least. Stuart had simply not bothered to explore that side of Kate, which was something she hadn’t fully realized until Ian had come along.
He grinned. “Would you be open to wearing the cape sometime without anything on underneath it?”
“Keep saying things like that and we’re not even going to make it out the door. But yes, I would.” Kate reached for her purse. “Okay. I think I’m ready.” She turned back around, worry creasing her face. “Are you sure my dress isn’t too short?”
“Sweetness, there’s no such thing.”
The New Year’s Eve party was being held at the W Hotel in the Foshay Tower downtown. Ian pulled up in front, gave his key fob to the valet, and opened Kate’s door, helping her out of the car.
“Paige made a bottle-service reservation,” Kate said as they walked into the hotel. “We’re supposed to meet everyone upstairs.”
Ian held her hand as they made their way to the second floor. When Kate spotted Paige, she pointed and said, “They’re over there.”
Paige and her husband, Jason, were sitting at one end of a large, circular booth. Audrey and her fiancé, Clay, were sitting in the middle, and after Kate introduced Ian—Smith because Bradshaw was a name she wouldn’t share with anyone—they slid in next to them.
“What’ll you have, Kate?” Clay asked.
She eyed the array of bottles and mixers. “Stoli and cranberry, please.” Clay poured the vodka, added cranberry juice and ice, and passed it to Kate.
“Ian?”
“Bourbon. Thanks.”