Chapter 55

While I'd told her we would decide what we felt like when she arrived, I'd already made plans for us for dinner. I just wanted it to be a surprise. Apparently, a lot of romance was better when there was an element of surprise involved.

According to my mother anyway. She told me to make sure that I surprise Serenity often to keep the romance alive, so that was what I was doing.

Earlier this afternoon, I'd called in a team of my people and I'd given them access to my building to set up a really romantic rooftop dinner. I planned on making it seem like Serenity and I were going out, though.

I'd considered a few restaurants, but I was finding it hard to trust any reviews after what might've happened with Tentacles. Deciding to trust my own people instead, I'd sent my chef along with a few others to make sure we had the best dinner ever that didn't get anyone sick.

After I got home, I headed directly to my bathroom and showered, shaved, and started getting ready. Serenity arrived about five minutes after I'd slapped on my aftershave and I met her at the elevator that doubled as my front door wearing only my underwear and a pair of slacks.

"You look ravishing," she joked, her eyes sparkling with laughter as she came over and wrapped an arm around my neck. "When you said to bring something nice, though, I thought we were dressing up, not down."

I chuckled and took the overnight bag she'd walked in with. "You're hilarious. I'm glad you decided to come get ready here, though. I love watching you transform."

"Transform?" She giggled. "I've never thought of it like that, but I suppose it's a pretty accurate description of what happens."

"Nah, you look just as good, if not better, when you're just wearing sweats. But still. I like seeing you get ready. Somehow, it makes all this feel real."

"It does, doesn't it?" She pressed a hard kiss to my lips before she let go of me and strode down the hallway to my bedroom. "Are you coming?"

"Hopefully soon," I joked, my gaze running over her backside.

Hurrying to catch up, I joined her in my bedroom and caught glimpses of her getting ready as I got dressed myself. When she was done, I looked her over, knowing she could see the appreciation in my gaze. "You're stunning."

Catching her hand, I pulled her to me and kissed her, suddenly wishing we didn't have any plans after all. But we did, and since I couldn't wait to see the look on her face when she saw my surprise, I broke the kiss much sooner than I would have liked. "We should go."

"Where are we going?" she asked as she took my arm.

"Not that far actually."

We walked out of my bedroom, and when we got in the elevator, I pushed the button for the roof. She laughed like I was fooling around, but a minute later, the doors opened and her laughter cut off abruptly. Her eyes widened and awe softened her features. Her lips parted as she took it all in. I had to give it to my team. Even I was bowled over by what they'd achieved this afternoon.

There were lights strung all around, giving the rooftop a soft, romantic look. A small string quartet played classical music and a table had been set up just for us.

She glanced at me, her eyes still wide, and inclined her head toward the rooftop. "I'm assuming it doesn't always look like this?"

"Nope." I grinned. "Surprised?"

"Definitely." She took my hand as we stepped off the elevator and I was ecstatic that I'd managed to surprise her this well.

Looking around, I nodded at the few members of the team who remained. Joey, one of my bartenders, stepped forward to offer us some champagne.

Serenity nodded enthusiastically at him. "Yes, please."

Joey smiled as he filled the flutes he had waiting. Then he left the bottle on ice in a silver bucket next to the table and saluted me. "See you tomorrow, boss."

"See you tomorrow," I said. "Thanks, Joe."

He grinned and left me alone with Serenity and the string quartet. Once he was gone, I pulled out her chair and she sat down, still clearly marveling at it all. I took my seat across from her.

"That guy works for you," she said, her eyes glittering with happiness in the candlelight that flickered from the center of our table. "How did you manage to spare an entire team for this?"

I shrugged. "It was worth it. Besides, they were well compensated. Made them happy to take on the extra work."

"I can't believe you did this for me," she said, glancing at the elevator when the doors slid open again.

One of my chefs walked out, followed by a small contingent of his people. Each of them carried a couple of plates, and they set them down on the table between us. Once every free inch of space was covered, Angelo stepped forward.

"We hope you like it, boss," he said. "I checked everything myself. Nothing will make anyone sick."

I chuckled and Serenity winced once he was gone. "That's why you did this?"

"Well, I didn't want you getting sick every time I take you to dinner," I replied, giving her a goofy smile. "I enjoy your company too much to get you scared of going out with me."

She sighed, but I could see that she was amused by it. "This looks amazing. I might have to poach this chef from you. Think I could lure him over to my side?"

"Not a chance," I said confidently. "He loves working for me and he's one of the best paid members of my staff. Trust me, he's not going anywhere."

She pumped her eyebrows at me. "We'll see. I have to try, right?"

"Have at it," I said. "I'm confident he'll come to me as soon as you make him an offer."

"Well, I suppose I can't have all the best chefs working for me. You can have him." She picked up one of the canapes he'd prepared. She popped it in her mouth and moaned as she chewed it. "I take it back. I'm definitely going to try to steal him."

I chuckled, trying a few canapes myself. Angelo had outdone himself. I couldn't say I'd blame her if she did try to hire him. "How was your day?"

"Ethan showed up this morning," she said, speaking quickly before I had time to react. "He tried to convince me that you were just using me."

"Using you?" I grimaced. "For what? Sex?"

"Fame," she said. "Apparently, you admitted it to him the other day."

I shook my head and scoffed. "I'm not chasing fame, Serenity. All I want is to be with you. In fact, if we could lose the paparazzi forever, that would be great."

"Are you sure?" she asked, showing me the palms of her hands. "I'm not saying I believe him. I don't. I'm just wondering if that's something important to you."

"All I want from you is you." I looked right into her eyes. "I have money and success, and I'm already more famous than I ever wanted to be. If anything, your fame made me hesitate to be with you. Not anymore, of course. When you smile at me, I don't care how many cameras are watching us. I just want to be yours."

She blessed me with that smile, and it was like the sun peeking from behind a cloud. "I believe you."

After we'd feasted on all the amazing food, everyone left the roof at a prearranged motion from me. Once we were finally alone, I got up and put on some music on my phone. Setting it down on the table, I held out my hand. "Dance with me."

"Happily," she murmured, placing her palm in mine and relaxing into my arms. "I just want to be yours too, you know. You said all you wanted from me is me, and that's all I want from you too. I guess I'm still having trouble trusting someone again. It's not your fault."

"It's not your fault either," I said, holding her close and resting my head on top of hers. "There's nothing we can do to change the past, but together, we can have a hell of a future."