The slowest smile falls over his lips as he leans in close and presses a kiss to my cheek. “I get it, babe. You want to date, yeah?”
When he pulls away, I slowly nod. “I mean, will we still go on dates?”
He chuckles. “How about this? Tomorrow night, I’ll pick you up at your place and we’ll go on a date? Does that work? Our first official date.”
“Technically, our first one was at the blind date restaurant.”
“Yes, but we both consent to go on this one.”
“Very true.” I move my hands to the nape of his neck. “You don’t mind taking me on a date? You know, slowing down from last night?”
“Kelsey.” He looks me in the eyes. “Ever since the moment you walked off the elevator at Cane Enterprises, I’ve been waiting for the moment to call you my girl. Slowing down won’t kill me, it’ll just make it better.”
How on earth did I not know this man was so sweet? That he’s not only understanding and kindhearted but is also swoon-worthy?
“Thank you.”
“Do you feel better?”
My fingers toy with the short strands of his hair. “Much better.” I lean in and give him a whisper of a kiss before asking, “You have a meeting with the mayor this morning?”
“Yeah, then I have to run across town to meet up with Edison about another building we’re interested in. Unfortunately, I won’t see you until the airplane.”
“That’s okay. Are you all packed?”
“Yup, packed this morning.”
“How? I feel half-awake.”
He smirks. “Babe, plugging into you last night gave me all the energy.”
“Eww.” I swat at his chest. “Don’t say you plugged into me.”
He laughs out loud and moves his arms around me, pulling me into a hug. “Nah, babe, I’m just high on excitement right now.” He kisses the side of my head. “It means more to me than you will ever know, when you came back last night, when you chose me.”
“It was an easy choice,” I admit, causing him to sigh into my hold.
“Fuck, I wish I didn’t have two meetings today.” He brings my hand up to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “I’ll see you on the plane?”
“Yes,” I answer. He pulls away, and as he heads toward the door, I call out, “Hey, JP?”
“Yeah?” He looks over his shoulder.
“I’m really glad you came to San Francisco. I know you really didn’t want to.”
“Only because I was fucking infatuated with you.” He winks. “See you at the airport.”
When he leaves, I practically melt on the countertop as everything he’s ever said to me comes to the forefront of my mind. The glances, the light touches, the teasing, the sweet gestures—it was all there. It always has been, from when I first met him, and I was so disappointed because Lottie had ruined our pitch to Cane Enterprises, to the way he showed me around the office when we were finally hired, offering me help when I needed it. The night of the gala, when he saw how upset I was, and instead of taking off, tried to make my night better. The dinners we’ve shared and the time we’ve spent together in San Francisco. His genuine care has been there, I’ve just been too worried to actually see it.
Worried because of his reputation.
Worried to fall for someone like him.
Worried to open my eyes and see every facet of JP.
But I see him now.
I hop off the counter and retrieve my phone from the dining room table. I pull up my text thread with Lottie and shoot her a text.
Kelsey: Boy, do I need to talk to you.
I walk back to my room and start packing again, and I’m almost done when Lottie texts me back.
Lottie: That text seems juicy. Tell me everything.
Kelsey: I was supposed to go out with Derek last night.
Lottie: Did he not show up?
Kelsey: No, he did. JP just intervened, told me he has been pining for me forever, wants to be with me and . . . well, I said a quick goodbye to Derek and wound up having sex with JP . . . six times.
Lottie: OH. MY. GOD! Only took you long enough! Also, six times . . . welcome to sex with a Cane brother. How do you feel?
Kelsey: Excited. Giddy. Slightly nervous. But mostly . . . I just can’t wait to see him again. Is this crazy? I mean, just a few days ago, we were at each other’s throats. And now he’s, well, he’s kind of everything I’d want in a man. And this is JP! I never thought I’d say that.
Lottie: I saw it all along. I was just waiting for it to happen. It’s not crazy. I think the great thing about you two is that you’re such opposites. That’s why Huxley and I work so well together. We challenge each other, but we also soothe the parts of each other that need extra care. I can see the same for you and JP.