by Parker, Lexy
“Seriously?” I asked, looking at him.
He nodded. “Yes. Dead serious. You two have been working non-stop to get the business going. Your big plans are going fishing. I want you to do something nice. I want you to have a nice dinner and see what it’s like to live in the lap of luxury. I warn you though, it is addicting. You might never want to come home. I also ordered a couple’s massage for you.”
“No way!” Dani squealed, jumping off my lap.
Emmitt was beaming. I knew it was the first time he had ever been generous. I imagined it must be a good feeling for him. At least I hoped it was. Giving usually made people feel good, but Emmitt was new to the concept.
“Thank you, Emmitt. You really didn’t have to do all this. I’m certainly grateful and it is really too much but thank you.”
“Thank you. You’ve set a good example for me for a long time and I refused to pay attention. Not anymore. I’m going to do better. I want to do better. This is a gift for the two of you. I hope you can relax and not worry about things here. I promise you I can handle it,” he assured me.
I looked at Dani and could see the excitement on her face. It was an excellent gift. She deserved to be pampered and I kept telling her I would one day. Now was that day.
“Okay.”
“Okay?” Dani said, her voice a whisper.
“Yeah, if you can get a few days off, I can too,” I told her.
She bobbed her head up and down. “I’ll call Kasey. She’ll cover for me!”
“The tickets are for tomorrow morning,” Emmitt pointed out.
“We’re going to New York!” I exclaimed.
“I have to go home and pack!” Dani said, her face flushed with excitement.
She leaned down and gave me a quick kiss before going around the desk and giving Emmitt a kiss on the cheek before racing out the door. I looked at Emmitt and saw the look of happiness on his face. I was pretty sure that was the first time I had ever really seen him happy.
“Thanks, man. This is really generous and thoughtful. I think you’ve just made her year,” I told him.
“I’m glad to have done it. She’s a really good woman and I hope you can keep her.”
“Me too,” I agreed.
“You should probably get out of here and pack as well,” he said.
I nodded. “I’ll tie up a few loose ends and then I’ll go. Thanks again, Emmitt. This is really a nice gift. You don’t have to buy my affections though.”
“I’m not. I’m just showing you how happy I am to have a job and to be allowed in your life. I know I don’t deserve it, but I’m glad for it,” he said again.
I nodded, hoping things would continue to get better between us.
Chapter 38
Dani
I was so excited I actually felt electric. I was sure I was glowing. I felt like I was glowing. Clay and I strolled hand in hand through the airport. I had flown before, but this felt different. I was so anxious to spend time alone with Clay, away from Philip and Jamie and everyone else in a town that knew one or both of us. I got to be Dani Yates, a woman exploring a relationship with an attractive man. I wasn’t the widow of a hometown hero.
“There are so many people,” Clay murmured close to my ear.
“It’s the city—the city. We’re in the Big Apple. I cannot believe we’re really here. Yesterday, we were sitting in your office, doing what we always do and then bam, we’re on a plane and heading to the city,” I said, shaking my head.
“This way,” he said, tugging my hand toward baggage claim.
Clay had been a little surprised when he came to pick me up and I had a full suitcase compared to his measly overnight bag. I was going to New York and I had no idea what I was going to wear. I wanted to be ready for anything. Only a man could get four days of clothing into a tiny little bag. I had been rather impressed that I managed to get everything in the one suitcase.
Like a perfect gentleman, he retrieved my suitcase from the conveyor and towed it along behind him while I carried my overnight bag and purse. It was just after noon when we emerged from the airport into the bright, sunny June day. I immediately inhaled and quickly regretted it.
“What is that?” I asked, trying not to look disgusted.
“I’m guessing that would be the smell of the city,” he said with a laugh.
“Wow.”
Clay strolled down the sidewalk, with me right beside him. Like an expert, he found us a cab. The driver helped put the suitcase in the trunk before we got in the backseat. I was so glad I was not the one driving. The cabbie didn’t seem the least bit fazed by the bumper-to-bumper traffic all vying for the same place on the road.
Clay gave him the name of the hotel before sitting back and enjoying the ride. He held my hand in his, both of us gasping and pointing at the various sites as our driver navigated the clogged streets that reminded me of parking lots after a huge concert. It was stop and go and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have the ride take a lot longer than it probably should have.
Once we arrived at the hotel, checked in and explored our suite, we both decided we wanted to do a little walking around. It was the only way to really experience the city. His hand held mine tight in his.
“This is crazy. I can see why Emmitt was so enamored with this place. Look!” I exclaimed, pointing to a food cart.
He burst into laughter. “That’s what amuses you?”
“We have to get a hot dog!”
“You’re going to eat a hot dog?” he asked with skepticism.
“How about we split one? It’s part of the experience. We can put sauerkraut on it.”
I wrinkled my nose. “I’ll split one with you, or I’ll try, but I’m making no promises.”
We got in line and ordered our hot dog with the works before finding one end of a bench to sit on and attempt to eat the thing.
“Okay, I’m going to admit, this was not my thing. You’ve humored me. Are you done with your half?” I asked him.
He looked relieved. “Yes.”
“Well, we tried. Let’s see what else we can find!” I said, tossing the hotdog in the trash.
“You said you wanted to explore Fifth Avenue, is that still on your agenda?” he asked.
I looked up at him and smiled. “You don’t have to.”
“I want to. A little window shopping will be fun. I’ll get to look at all the things I will never buy.”
We hailed a cab and were whisked away to the prestigious Fifth Avenue. When we got out of the cab, I could practically smell the money.
“This is what drew Emmitt in,” I said, staring in the store windows and the beautiful clothes on display.
“It is weird that this doesn’t really excite me?” he asked.
“No. Not at all. Honestly, I like the clothes, but I would never actually want to have a closet full of this stuff. I mean, really, where would I wear it? I wouldn’t even want to wear it. I like to be comfortable and free and be able to sit down without splitting a seam.”
He chuckled. “You would look amazing in anything we’re seeing,” he said.
“Thank you.”
We strolled leisurely, both of us used to the way the other walked. He put his arm around me, something he often did. There was nothing awkward about it. We fit together and had a sync between us that was natural. He pointed out things he knew I would like, and I did the same for him. We’d only been together for a couple of months, but I felt like I knew him, and he knew me.
“Ready to head back to the hotel?” he asked after we had walked for hours.
“I am.”
“We have dinner reservations,” he announced.
“We do?”
“You told me you brought along that hot little number. I’m hoping you’ll wear it tonight,” he said, pulling me close to him.
“I will. We better get back. I need to shower and get ready. What time are the reservations?”
“Six. You have plenty of time.”
“It’s a
lmost four o’clock! I have no time!” I exclaimed, a little panicked.
“Baby, you know you could go completely natural and still be the most beautiful woman in the room,” he assured me.
“You’re a smooth talker, but I’ll let you in on a little secret,” I said in a hushed voice.
“What is that? I like secrets. Is it a dirty little secret?” he teased.
“Maybe. I was going to let you know you’re going to get lucky tonight. You don’t have to flatter me.”
“Baby, I love flattering you. You are worthy of being flattered and I meant it. You are beautiful. You don’t have to do all the makeup and stuff. I like the way you look just the way you are,” he assured me.
I got the warm and tingly feeling all over my body listening to his sweet words. When Clay talked, I believed him. He was an honest man to a fault. I knew he meant what he said, which made the words all the more special. I knew it wasn’t empty compliments.
“You are really, really going to get lucky. In fact, I think I might have a little something extra to wear tonight that will sweeten the pot,” I told him.
“You’re killing me. Don’t show me or we might never leave the room,” he growled.
I giggled, loving that I could get him so excited just talking about a dress. We hopped in a cab. I snuggled against him in the backseat, my eyes soaking up everything we were passing by. It was so rich in culture and there were so many different kinds of people. Hope, Tennessee didn’t offer a lot in the way of culture.
We made it to our room where I quickly showered in the massive shower stall before carefully applying lotion to every inch of my body. I put on the new lingerie I had purchased last week before pulling on the black dress with spaghetti straps and a very short hemline. It was far too daring to wear anywhere in Hope but here in New York, it would be considered conservative.
I spent extra time with my makeup. I wanted to look perfect. I wanted to look different than I normally did. I wanted to impress him, even if he thought I was beautiful without all the fuss. When I was convinced I had done all I could, I opened the bathroom door and stepped into the bedroom. I could hear him in the living area and walked out, a little nervous about what he would think when he saw me.
He was staring out the window, looking out at the city stretched out below for as far as the eye could see. He was wearing a black suit, something I had never seen him wear before. I was anxious to see the full picture.
“Clay?”
He turned around, his eyes roaming over me as my own took in the sight of him in the suit with a dark blue tie and a white shirt. God, he was gorgeous. I loved him in his usual jeans or his khaki shorts he always wore fishing, but the suit, that was doing something to me I had never quite experienced before.
“Let’s go,” he said brusquely, walking past me to grab his keycard.
I blinked. “What?” I said, spinning around to look at him.
“Let’s go. Now. I can’t be in this room with you,” he said and pulled the door open.
I was stunned. I had no idea what the hell was going on and I wasn’t even sure I wanted to go to dinner with him at all. I snatched my purse off the couch and stomped toward him, shooting daggers at him with my eyes.
Once we were in the hallway and the door was closed behind us, he let out a loud exhale. “Good God almighty.”
“What is your deal?” I snapped.
He finally turned to look at me, carefully cupping my face in his hands. “You look so good. I nearly tore that dress from your body and buried myself inside you. I won’t disrespect you out in the hall. I had to get out of the room. You’re gorgeous, stunning, beautiful. There are not enough words to describe how pretty you are.”
I smiled, my anger fading. “Good save, buster. I was about ready to kick you in the balls and walk out on you.”
He burst into laughter. “I’m sorry. I was drowning with lust. The only thing I knew to do was to get away before I couldn’t fight the urge another second. Can I kiss you?”
“Yes.”
He gently pressed his lips against mine. It was a rather chaste kiss. “I don’t want to smear all this stuff you’ve got going on. You look like you belong on a runway or a magazine cover. I’m going to be the proudest man in the room.”
“Thank you. You’re looking mighty hot yourself. I think it’s probably a good thing you got us out of there. We would have woken tomorrow very hungry,” I said with a laugh.
We both strolled down the hallway to the elevator with our heads held high. I was pretty sure we were the best-looking couple in the city.
“I hired us a car,” he said when we stepped outside.
“A car?”
“A limo.”
I squealed, completely making a fool of myself. It was turning into the best night and I was so happy I was getting to experience it all with him.
Chapter 39
Clay
I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I had to keep telling myself it was real. I was really having dinner with the woman sitting across from me. She was too good for me. She was way, way out of my league. I saw people looking at her. How could they not? She was radiant. Her body was amazing and the dress she was wearing fit her like a glove. I hadn’t been joking when I told her she could be on the cover of a magazine. She had an ethereal quality about her as she sat across from me, her face lit by the soft candlelight.
We had both ordered wine, promising to grab a beer at a bar tomorrow night, but tonight was special. It was her and me, no ghosts, no irritating brothers or meddling friends who wanted us both to be happy. I was going to take advantage of every minute I had with her.
“That was delicious,” she said, patting her mouth before she dropped her napkin on her plate.
“It was. I never really understood what all the excitement was about when people talked about five stars and all that. Can you even begin to guess how long all of this took to make?”
“No, but I guess that’s why they charge so much,” she said with a giggle.
“This is what Emmitt was eating every night. I think I can understand a little better why he took that loan and maxed out all of his cards. That steak was worth a busted kneecap,” I said with a grin.
“I’m going to agree with you.”
“I have another surprise if you’re ready to go,” I told her.
She was sipping from her wine glass. “Another surprise?”
“Yep.”
“What is it? Is it something back in the room?” she said with a cheeky smile.
“No, actually it isn’t. Get your mind out of the gutter, dirty girl.”
She giggled again, her face flush with her joy. “Fine, but you know you were thinking the same thing.”
“Maybe.”
I waved the waiter over to get the check, anxious to show her the surprise Emmitt had helped me arrange. The limo was waiting, ready to take us to the building where Emmitt used to work. As it turned out, Emmitt was still very connected in the city. I was being given rooftop access, a view Emmitt told me was spectacular.
When the car came to a stop in front of the massive building, Dani looked rightfully confused. A security guard was waiting for us and opened the door to let us in.
“You must be Emmitt’s little brother,” he said with a friendly smile.
“I am. Clay Pierce and this is Dani Yates. Thanks so much for doing this. We’re a couple of country bumpkins and have never seen the city skyline. Emmitt tells me this is the best view in the world.”
The man chuckled. “Emmitt was a smooth one.”
“Right this way.”
He led us to an elevator and used a key that would allow us roof access.
“The roof?” Dani asked once the elevator doors slid closed.
“Yes.”
“Are you sure this isn’t a setup?”
“A setup?” I asked.
“Yeah, like he’s been playing nice this whole time. He gave us the tickets to New York and pretended to be
grateful when really it’s a setup and we’re going to get pushed off the roof of the building or something equally horrible,” she said.
“Uh, wow. I thought I was dark and negative about him. You really think all of his good work is a ploy?” I asked her.
She thought about it. “No.”
I let out a breath of relief. “Now you’ve got me on edge.”
“Sorry, my imagination gets carried away. I think he is really trying to turn over a new leaf. I don’t think this is a setup. I’m only teasing you because I know you’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop so to speak,” she explained.
She was right. I was still keeping my guard up around Emmitt. Thirty-three years of him being an asshole was hard to forget in two months. Emmitt had a long way to go to prove to me he was truly trying to be a good man. He was making good strides, but I wasn’t convinced he wouldn’t be tempted to chase one of his wild dreams of being a mega-successful millionaire and up and leave us behind once again.
The elevator jerked to a stop and the doors slid open. There was a small light over a wide steel door. I pushed it open and we were immediately hit with a blast of warm air sprinkled with the now familiar scents of the city that ranged from barbecue grills to fresh baked goods to exhaust and the general smell of a lot of people crammed into one area.
I took her hand and led her across the rooftop, carefully walking around vent pipes and massive air conditioning units. I walked toward the edge, staying a good fifteen feet back from the tall side. I wasn’t interested in peering over the side and looking down.
“This is incredible,” I said with awe.
“How much electricity does it take to keep this place going?” she said, her voice filled with the same awe.
I shook my head. “I have no idea. Have you ever seen so many lights?”
She laughed softly. “No. This is ridiculous. I cannot believe how bright the city is. There are lights everywhere. This place is huge. I feel like we are looking at the entire state from up here.”
“It really is an incredible view. Again, I have a better appreciation for why Emmitt did what he did. I think if you were the type of person who loved this type of thing, it could be very hard to leave. I find it interesting and it is gorgeous in its own right, but I would never give up a country view with corn fields for miles and a lake surrounded with tall trees,” I told her.
