Skyscrapers & Camelot (Renovate Book 1) (24 page)

I’m wearing my normal work attire: black slacks and a cream colored blouse. Nothing special, just normal.

He grabs my chin and pulls me in for a sweet kiss. “I missed you. How about I take you to dinner later?”

“Okay.” I nod.

“I’m sorry about Gretchen’s behavior.”

“You don’t have to apologize; you didn’t do anything.”

He has a guilty look on his face. I wish I could hear his thoughts sometimes.

“That picture isn’t what it looks like, and my PR agent is already having them print a retraction. The only couple I’m a part of is you.”

“Okay,” I repeat.

He grabs the lunch I brought him and smiles when he opens the bag. “My favorite.”

We share his sandwich while I sit on his lap. I think he’s afraid I’m going to run off, but that’s not going to happen. I have to be the mature one here and brush off the insecurities Gretchen brings out of me. It’s only going to poison our relationship if I play into her mind games.

“Kaleb said he met Liam. He told him, if he hurts Reese, he will chase him down and tear his balls off. He sounds just like his sister. It’s kind of funny. I am looking forward to meeting him at my dad’s party.”

Liam wouldn’t do that. He is all about peace, love, and happiness. I do find it amusing that he threatened him, though. It’s exactly what a big brother should do.

“Speaking of your dad’s party, I had an idea. Since it’s his fiftieth, I thought we could make him a collage of pictures from different ages, like birth up to now. Do you think I could call your mom and ask her to send me some pictures?” I hope he doesn’t think it’s lame. I just want to do something nice, and since he and Kaleb have the party covered, I figured this could be a nice addition.

“I think that is perfect. I’ll give you my mom’s number,” he tells me.

“Does she know about us?”

“Of course she knows. She was ecstatic and said she had been waiting for this to happen for years.”

I can’t wait to see his parents. They were such a huge part of my life for so long, and I’ve missed them.

I have to get back to work, even if I don’t want to leave the comfort of Keegan’s lap. After we sit a little longer with Keegan’s chair pointed at the window, watching the view of the city, Keegan’s phone starts ringing. I give him a long kiss, saying my good-bye, and then leave to head back to my office.

I hit the button for the elevator, almost free of another run in with Gretchen, when the elevator opens, and Gretchen steps out. When she looks me up and down, pointing her nose up at me as she walks past me without a word, I breathe a sigh of relief, climbing into the elevator and out of her direct line of fire.

Chapter Twenty-Two

When I arrive home later that day, I’m surprised to find Liam sitting on our couch and reading the paper. He’s staying at a hotel, and Reese is off on a late photo shoot. I feel perfectly safe with him and always have; it’s just strange coming home to him. It almost feels like old times when we were all living together in college.

“Hi, Liam.”

He lifts his head from what he’s reading. “Hi, Aimee. How was your day?”

I hope he isn’t reading page six.
Please don’t read page six.

“It was fine.”

He’s eyeing me suspiciously, an unusual tension between us. “Good, I’m just waiting for Reese.”

“I figured as much. Any big plans?”

“No, just dinner and drinks. You’re welcome to join us.”

“Thank you, but I have dinner plans.”

Liam smiles back at me, and right when I think the conversation has ended, he says, “With the boyfriend?”

“Yes, I’m having dinner with Keegan.” I search his eyes, noticing he’s irritated, but I’m not sure why. He’s acting so strangely.

“Keegan James, your long lost best friend and the love of your life,” he says, a bit snarky.

What’s his problem?

I start to walk away, but he stops me when he speaks up again.

“New York power couple. This doesn’t look like you.” He holds up the paper, pointing at the picture of Keegan and Gretchen. It’s another knife to the chest having to look at that picture again.

“It’s not what it looks like,” I defend.

“I’m your friend, Aimee. I don’t know him, but this isn’t right. You deserve better than this.”

Why is he saying this to me? Why do I feel like he’s attacking me? He has no idea what the situation is.

“Keegan is exactly what I deserve, and frankly, it’s none of your business.”

He stands up. “I’m sorry for upsetting you. That wasn’t my intention. I care for you, Aimee. I just don’t want you to get hurt.” He wraps me in his arms, hugging me, his fresh clean scent that I remember invading my senses.

After a moment, I pull out of the hug. “I have to get ready,” I tell him, walking to my bedroom with the feeling of his eyes on me.

I know he’s just looking out for me because he cares, but his words hurt. If he knew more about Keegan, he would understand. I just don’t have the desire to convince him that he’s wrong.

I make myself scarce while getting ready for dinner. When I finally walk back into the living room, Liam is gone. I feel bad for being relieved. Liam is just as important to me as Reese, but the tension between us is a new feeling and one I don’t like.

As soon as Keegan texts me, letting me know he’s waiting for me downstairs, I lock up the apartment and head outside. My breath catches as I see him leaning against his Mercedes. He’s simply beautiful to look at, especially when he looks like this—relaxed and comfortable.

I approach him with a smile. Once I’m in front of him, he grabs my face with both of his hands and plants a hard kiss on my lips, sending tingles down to my toes. This man’s kisses leave me breathless every time. After I recover from the kiss, he opens the car door for me and helps me into the passenger seat.

“Hungry?” he asks once seated in the car.

I’m starving, yet I’m not sure what I want to devour more—food or him.

“Always,” I say with a wink.

He must read my mind, because he grabs my hand, pulling it to his mouth and placing a soft kiss.

“You are insatiable.”

“I didn’t say a word.”

“You didn’t have to. I know you. And for the record, we are definitely on the same page, but I must feed you if you are going to have energy for later.”

In that moment, I wish I could fast forward time so it’s later. I can’t wait. I’m addicted to this man, the things he does, and the way he makes me feel.

He pulls the car out into traffic, taking us to dinner where I load up on carbs for later.

“If you don’t mind, I want to take a short detour before we go home.”

My eyes light up at the word home. It’s not ‘my home’ or ‘your home,’ just plain home.

He drives, weaving through traffic like a seasoned New Yorker before he parks. He tells me to wait then gets out of the car and opens the trunk, pulling out a long, white box that has a red ribbon around it. What is he up to?

When he opens my door and grabs my hand, I stand to meet his eyes. “Is that for me?”

“Only if you’re a good girl.”

We walk a little ways until we reach Central Park where we walk down the long, winding paths. The moonlight casts a soft light upon us as he asks me to sit on a bench, and I oblige. Then he hands me the box, placing it on my lap, and I can feel that it’s heavy. It’s surely not a bouquet of flowers.

I untie the ribbon and open the box. Inside, I find a white Celestron telescope. It resembles the one in his apartment, only a smaller version, one that is mobile.

“What is this?” I ask, shocked.

“What does it look like?”

“I know what it is silly, but why?”

He bends down so we are eye level. “It’s so you can see the stars as clearly as I see you. I know you’re attached to the red telescope, but this one is much better.”

“Thank you,” I tell him, pulling him in for a kiss. He places his hands on the back of the bench and takes over the kiss.

“Let’s try this baby out. It’s a clear night, and the stars are calling our names.”

I jump up, excited, and he takes my hand. We walk around a path and up a set of stone steps. Fortunately, I’m wearing my comfortable, black ballet flats. I’m not sure where he’s taking me, and he seems anxious.

“Keegan, any spot will be fine.”

“Trust me, okay?” He starts to walk faster, and now I’m having difficulty keeping up with him.

“Always,” I reply. Now I’m as anxious as he is, even though I have no clue where he’s taking me. It’s dark, and although the park is still open, it’s still a little creepy.

“We’re here,” he announces.

I should have known, yet he’s managed to surprise me again. We are standing in front of a miniature stone castle, Belvedere Castle, which coincidently translates to “great view” in Italian. It really is perfect place to test out the telescope.

We begin to climb the stairs, but when I go to make my way onto the first level, he stops me.

“Keep on going, Aimee. Our destination is the very top.”

We climb another set of stairs then enter through a tiny door. I can’t remember the last time I exercised, and that long trek we just took has me exhausted. Once I step into the night, a cool breeze hits me.

“You all right?” Keegan asks.

“I’m fine, just need to catch my breath.”

He walks over to me and lets me lean on him, brushing my hair back as he places a gentle kiss on my temple. “We really need to get you into shape.”

“I do fine. You have given me enough exercise to last a lifetime.”

“Says the girl who is winded from a walk across the park.”

“Don’t forget, we walked up the stairs, as well.”

“Yes, remind me never to take you to the Statue of Liberty. You just might die of exhaustion.”

I playfully push him. “I’m fine. And I’ve been to the Statue of Liberty, and I am still alive.”

He looks at me, smiling with a glint in his eyes. “You sure are fine.”

I laugh.

Now that I have caught my breath, I step out closer to the ledge, looking over the park as another gust of wind brushes against my face. Keegan approaches behind me while I place the telescope down. I can feel the heat of his body against me as he wraps his arms around my stomach and places his chin on my shoulder. I lean my head on his shoulder, absorbing the warm feeling of comfort.

“What’s a castle without a princess?” he whispers in my ear.

“I’m still waiting on my tiara.”

He removes his arms from around me and backs away, pulling something out of his jacket. I’m instantly curious what he’s hiding.

“You mean one of these?” He places the object he’s holding on top of my head.

He came through and made me an honorary princess. The tiara is encrusted with diamonds and wraps around my head.

“Cat got your tongue?”

He has just given me a tiara meant for a queen or, should I say, a princess, and that’s exactly how he makes me feel, like royalty.

I will take it on one condition—that he’s my prince.

“You are spoiling me, and you don’t need to,” I say. I appreciate all of this, but I would be just as happy without it as long as I have him.

“You ask, I deliver.” There is no doubt that he does.

I place a kiss on his cheek.

Grabbing the box, he removes the telescope then the lens cap. He shows me where to look, and it sure is better than the little, red telescope. I swear I can see the little green men on the moon, and the stars are as clear as glass. They sparkle in the night sky, a picture of beauty.

This may seem like a silly hobby to most, but it has always excited me. Keegan doesn’t think it’s silly or nerdy. He’s just like me—passionate about the stars. It holds a special meaning to both of us. Our love of the stars has inspired our passion for other things.

“This really is top of the line. It’s amazing, Keegan.”

I remove the telescope from my eye and hand it over to him. He takes it willingly, and I wrap my arms around him and close my eyes as he looks up at the same stars. I’m relaxed here with him. It’s simple and normal. It’s us in a nutshell.

I don’t know how long we are on top of the castle, staring at the sky, but the air becomes chilly, and I start to shiver. I didn’t think we were going to take a late night stroll, so I didn’t think to bring a jacket. Keegan notices and, the selfless gentleman he is, offers me his coat. He holds it up for me, and I place my arms through the sleeves. It swallows me up. I’m much warmer, and better yet, it smells like him.

Grabbing the telescope and placing it back in the box, we walk hand in hand through the park back to his car. Yet another unforgettable evening he has given me and it’s not even over yet. I’m pretty sure the good stuff is yet to come.