Chapter 6

The sleek black town car glided to a stop in front of Le Jardin, an exclusive French restaurant nestled in the heart of the city. Chloe’s heart skipped a beat when Hendrix stepped out of the front seat and opened her door, offering his hand.

She took it, her skin tingling at his touch. “You didn’t have to do this. I would have been happy with takeout and a movie at your place.”

Hendrix pulled her close, his cologne intoxicating. “Nonsense. You deserve the finest, and I intend to give that to you.”

Her cheeks flushed. She knew how much this meant to him, to prove he was worthy of her in every way. That he could be the man she needed.

As the ma?tre d’ led them to their table, Chloe took in the atmosphere. Dim lighting, soft piano music, fresh flowers scenting the air. An intimacy that made her pulse race.

Hendrix held her chair for her, then took the seat across from her. His fingers brushed hers as he handed her a menu. “Anything you desire is yours.”

She peered at him over the top of her menu, struck by the vulnerability in his eyes. He was putting on a good show, but she could see the cracks in his armor. The fears and insecurities he tried so hard to hide.

Tonight, she realized, was about more than the lavish setting or delicious food. It was a glimpse into his soul, a chance to prove that she wanted all of him—fears and flaws included.

Her heart swelled, warmth flooding her as she smiled at him. “I want you.”

A smile tugged at his lips, relief and wonder shining in his eyes. He took her hand, raising it to his lips for a tender kiss. “You have me. Tonight and always.”

She squeezed his hand, overjoyed at how the evening was turning out. This was so much more than she could have imagined. So much more than takeout and a movie.

Hendrix cleared his throat, a hint of nerves creeping into his gaze. “There’s something I want to tell you. Something I haven’t mentioned in a while. Just been trying to come to terms with it.”

Chloe’s heart skipped a beat. She gave his hand another squeeze, hoping to reassure him. “You can tell me anything. You know that.”

“My father and I haven’t spoken in years,” he admitted softly. “We had a falling out and never reconciled. I’ve always regretted how things ended between us, but my pride got in the way.”

“Oh, Hendrix.” She slid into the seat next to him, wrapping her arm around his waist. “I’m so sorry.”

He rested his head against hers, the warmth of his body seeping into her skin. “I didn’t want you to find out like this, but you deserve the truth. All of it, even the parts I’m not proud of.”

“The past is the past,” she said gently. “You can’t change what happened, but you can move forward. If you want to reach out to your father again, I’ll support you every step of the way.”

He lifted his head to meet her gaze, emotion swimming in his eyes. “You’re amazing, you know that? I don’t deserve you.”

“Nonsense.” She cupped his cheek, smiling up at him.

A smile lit his face as he leaned in, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. She melted against him, her heart overflowing with love for this complicated, vulnerable man.

Chloe pulled away from the kiss, breathless. Her heart raced as she gazed into Hendrix’s eyes, which were filled with a tender warmth she had never seen before.

She leaned in closer to him, drawn like a magnet to his openness and vulnerability. The scent of his cologne enveloped her, spicy and masculine, setting her cheeks aflame.

How had she never made a move after seeing how intoxicating he was tonight? The broadness of his shoulders, the strength in his hands, the intensity of his gaze—all of it set her blood simmering with desire.

Desire for her best friend, the man she had known and trusted for years. The man who was now looking at her as though she was the only thing that mattered in the world.

“What is it?” he asked, reaching out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered against her cheek, sending a shiver down her spine.

She swallowed hard, unsure of how to give voice to the maelstrom of emotions swirling inside her. “I don’t know,” she said honestly. “Everything feels different now. When I look at you, I...”

She trailed off, cheeks flaming under the weight of his gaze. There, in the intimacy of that moment, she realized the truth.

She was falling for Hendrix. Hard and fast, with no chance of turning back. The knowledge should have terrified her, but with him by her side, she never felt safer.

“What is it?” he repeated gently.

She took a deep breath and met his waiting eyes. “I’m in love with you.”

The words hung between them for a long moment before his face split into a breathtaking smile. “Thank God,” he said, pulling her close. “Because I’ve been in love with you since the day we met.”

Chloe’s heart soared at his words, warmth flooding through her as she leaned into his embrace. All of her doubts and fears seemed to melt away, leaving only joy in their wake.

When the waiter arrived with their dishes, they were forced to break apart. But even over escargot and coq au vin, they couldn’t stop stealing glances at one another, smiles tugging at their lips.

“Do you remember that time in college when we snuck into the botanical gardens at night?” Hendrix asked, eyes sparkling with mirth. “And you convinced me to go skinny dipping in the koi pond?”

Chloe laughed, the memory as vivid as if it had happened yesterday. “How could I forget? You shrieked like a little girl when one of the fish nibbled at your toe!”

“I did not shriek,” he protested, though the twitching at the corner of his mouth betrayed him. “I may have yelped in a perfectly manly fashion.”

“Oh please. It was a shriek. A full on, hair-raising shriek.”

He aimed a mock glare in her direction, the effect ruined by the laughter in his eyes. “Are you always this insulting on dates, or am I just lucky?”

The playful glint in his gaze softened into something warmer, deeper.

Chloe’s heart stuttered at the unmistakable devotion etched into his face.

The escargot melted on her tongue, garlic and herbs mingling in a burst of flavor. Across from her, Hendrix made an appreciative sound as he savored his first bite.

“This is incredible,” he said. “Though not nearly as delectable as the company.”

Heat rose in her cheeks at the compliment. “Smooth talker.”

He grinned. “Only because it’s true.” His gaze dropped to her mouth as she took another bite, darkening with desire. “I can think of something else I’d like to be tasting right now.”

A delicious shiver ran down her spine at the implication in his tone. “Behave yourself,” she scolded, though she couldn’t quite suppress her own longing. “We’re in public.”

“My apologies.” His grin turned wicked. “I’ll save that for later, then, shall I?”

She shook her head, a thrill racing through her at the thought of later. “You’re incorrigible.”

“Only when it comes to you.” He lifted his glass, the champagne bubbles winking under the dim lighting. “To new beginnings, and to not wasting another moment of the time we have left.”

“To choosing love over fear,” she said softly, clinking her glass against his.

Hendrix’s eyes shone with emotion as he took a sip. “The best choice I’ve ever made.”

They talked for hours, sharing hopes and dreams as if they had never truly known each other before. This time, it was different. Partners in crime, partners in life. She had never imagined she could be this happy. And by the look of pure joy on Hendrix’s face, neither had he. But here they were, and this was only the beginning.

When they finally left the restaurant, it was nearly midnight. A light rain was falling from the inky sky, the droplets catching the glow of the streetlights.

Chloe shivered, though not from the cold. Hendrix noticed immediately, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close against his side.

“Come on, let’s get you out of this rain,” he murmured, guiding her towards where his driver stood waiting with the car.

But Chloe stopped, tugging on his hand. “Not yet.”

He turned to her with a questioning look, and she rose up on her toes, tangling her fingers in his hair to pull him down into a kiss.

Hendrix made a sound of surprise, but then his arms were wrapping around her tightly, crushing her against him as he deepened the kiss. Chloe melted into him, her heart soaring as she gave herself over to the moment.

The rain streamed down over them, but she was barely aware of the chill. All she knew was Hendrix, and the way he was kissing her as if he couldn’t get enough.

When they finally parted, breathless, Chloe gazed up at him with a smile. “Now we can go.”

Hendrix let out a soft laugh, pressing his forehead to hers. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

“But what a way to go,” she teased.

He shook his head, clasping her hand in his. “Home. Now.”

Chloe’s heart pounded as she slid into the car beside him. Home. Just the thought of being alone with him, with no barriers left between them, set her blood on fire.

This was the start of forever. She was ready.