“Yes, we are. Thanks, Jacob.”
The door closed with a muffled click, and Claire took a look around her first limousine ever. All black and plush and everything she would expect, complete with a mini bar and burled wood accents. “Where are we going?” she asked as they pulled away from the curb.
Will pulled a bottle of champagne out of a bucket on the other side of him. The cork had already been removed. “It’s a surprise.”
“I don’t like surprises,” she blurted out without thinking. Most surprises in her life had been bad ones.
“I bet I can change your mind.”
If anyone could, it would be Will Anderson. Claire leaned back against the soft leather and tried to relax, which was hard when all she wanted to do was climb into his lap and give this luscious-smelling man a surprise of her own.
He poured two flutes of champagne and handed her one, then held up the other in toast. “To surprises.”
She reluctantly held hers up, and he clinked his to it.
“What is it you don’t like about surprises?” he asked, swaying slightly as the car came to a stop at a light.
“Um… The surprise in them. Not knowing what’s going to happen. Not being able to plan.” She took a swallow of champagne. It was delicious.
He stared at her a moment and the vehicle took off again. “So, you planned the kiss at your place last night?”
She almost choked on her mouthful of champagne. “Of course not. You know I didn’t.”
He took a sip and studied her with those clear blue eyes, which unnerved her a little bit, causing her heart to flutter. “Then you didn’t like it?” He grinned. “You sure acted like you did.”
Her face heated as the memory of them up against her door last night played through her mind. “Of course I did. That’s not what I meant.”
“Admit defeat, Miss Maddox. You just discovered that you do, indeed, like surprises. And you’ll like where I’m taking you tonight.”
Oh dang. No doubt she would. She clamped her legs together to quell the sudden sensation shooting through her.
He flinched when his phone rang. After slipping it from his pocket, he stared at the screen and scowled.
She fought back a laugh. “‘Smooth Operator’?”
“Chance sets my ringtones because he thinks he’s funny. That’s Michael’s.”
“What’s Chance’s?”
“His is ‘Kung Fu Fighting’ because of his fascination with martial arts. But we won’t be hearing any more ringtones tonight.” He punched the ignore button and shoved the phone into a leather pocket on the door.
No doubt she and Chance would get along great. Too bad she was leaving. “You said you’d take Michael’s call.”
“I certainly did, but not now. Whatever he has to say can wait until after dinner.”
She loved the way this man made her feel like she was his top priority. Relaxing back against the soft leather, her body hummed with anticipation for what the rest of their date held.
…
The sun was lower in the sky, making the interior of the limo seem like a private cocoon. Will wished they were on a cross-country trip instead of a short drive. He wanted to get to know this woman. To learn everything about her from her childhood, to her dreams, to the noises she made in bed. “Tell me about yourself, Claire.”
She angled slightly to face him. “Well, you pretty much know what there is to know. I was raised by my grandparents, who died recently. I got a master’s degree in history. I’m going to Egypt in two weeks.”
Egypt. He couldn’t think of a place he’d rather not visit. After spending years in the desert, it would be like a trip to hell. He’d never set foot in a desert again. He could say that with confidence now that he’d been discharged. He was done with sand forever.
“Then after a month or so of seeing that part of the world to familiarize myself with it, I’m going to intern at the Cairo Museum.”
“So, a long-term thing, then?”
“I hope so.”
And he’d never see her again, which bothered him more than it should considering he’d sworn off relationships. Nope. Not going there. Change the topic. She’d talked about her grandparents, but never her parents. “What happened to your mom and dad?”
She sighed and stared up at the ceiling. “Teen pregnancy happened. My mom never revealed who the father was…he probably never even knew.” Her expression clouded. “I never knew her. She took off pretty soon after I was born, so I was raised by Sissy and Grandpa.”
“I’m sorry,” Will said, brushing her hair off her shoulder. He loved the way it felt between his fingers.
“She left a letter, though. I kept it in a box by my bed and I used to read it every day from the time I was four.”