“This is one hell of a date.”
“Please. We haven’t even gotten to that portion of the evening yet.”
“Just want to let you know you’re setting an unattainable bar for future men. I’ll never accept movie theater dates after this.”
Good, Zahra. Mention future men to throw him off.
“That’s because you’re more of a drive-in type of girl anyway.” He grabs my hand and tugs me closer. His head tips down and his eyes shut as he leans in. My eyes flutter closed as his lips press against mine. I hold on to him as his tongue traces my bottom lip, asking me nicely to open up. My head grows heavy as my body trembles under his attention.
The ping and the swooshing of the doors opening pulls us from our kiss. Rowan’s hand latches onto mine. He doesn’t let go as he walks us into a penthouse that could make an architect salivate all over the hardwood floors.
“I hope you know I might never leave this place.” I walk right up to the massive two-story window that shows off a panoramic view of the entire city.
One of his arms wraps around me, teasing the hem of my sweater while the other tilts my head to look over my shoulder. “You would give up Dreamland for the city?”
I let out a soft laugh. “No. I love Dreamland. I could spend the rest of my life there and never get bored.”
He looks at me with a weird expression I can’t place. “Really? Why?”
“My whole family lives there. I’d be crazy to give that up for some random city.”
“Hmm.” His hand strokes the sliver of exposed skin on my stomach.
“Are you happy giving up the city for Dreamland?” I shouldn’t probe but I’m too curious.
“I never thought I could feel happy at Dreamland again, but now I’m not too sure.”
I smile. “Really?”
“I might have met the one person who makes the place bearable.” His gaze remains solely focused on my face.
His answer makes my breath all shaky and my legs all wobbly. Hopeful little butterflies take flight in my stomach, proving just how far I’m falling.
37
Zahra
I should have known it was game over the moment Rowan told me to unpack my suitcase.
I kneel on the hardwood floor, unzip my luggage, and throw it open. “Well, this explains the massive suitcase.”
Half of it is filled with my regular clothes while the other part is packed with all my regency romances written by Juliana De La Rosa. The Duke Who Seduced Me is tucked safely at the top with the protective straps keeping all the books from sliding around.
I rush out of the room to find Rowan, only to run headfirst into his chest.
He laughs as he readjusts me.
“Why is my bag filled with all my De La Rosa books?” I press a hand against my beating heart.
“Because the famous bodice ripper is signing books in New York tonight, and we happen to have tickets to her event.” He pulls two tickets out of his back pocket and dangles them in front of me.
My jaw pops open. I jump and grab them from him. “No way!” I throw my arms around his neck. The sudden move knocks him off balance, and he reaches out for a wall before we both topple over.
“You like it.” He chuckles in my ear. His hot breath makes my skin break out into goosebumps.
I untangle myself from his neck and return my limbs to my personal bubble. “Like it? I love it! How did you get tickets like this at the last minute?”
He clears his throat. “I have connections.”