I thought all day how to impress Lacie. I barely got anything accomplished. I felt like I was losing my mind over this woman. What was it about her that drew me in? Yes, she was beautiful. Her long dark hair begged to be wrapped in my fingers, her crystal-blue eyes were that of an angel and her body was absolutely gorgeous. Her lips, God, how I wanted to devour them. I could barely stand the thought of our date being hours away.
My secretary walked in and cleared her throat.
“Yes, what is it?”
She raised her brow.
“Is everything okay?”
I looked at her and nodded. “I’m fine, why do you ask?”
She looked at me and said, “You’re different this morning. I’ve been here for three hours and you haven’t yelled at me once. I had to come in here to be sure you were still alive.”
I quirked my lips and half-smiled. I couldn’t help myself.
“I know this sounds terrible of me, but what is your name?”
She laughed a short laugh. “Lydia Boyd.”
I motioned for her to take a seat in front of me. She moved carefully and sat down.
“Lydia, I have a question for you.”
She nodded for me to proceed.
“What would you consider a romantic date? One you would never forget.”
She looked at me, puzzled for a moment.
“You know I’m married, right?”
I couldn’t help myself. I burst out laughing and Lydia jumped.
“Are you seriously laughing?”
This only caused me to laugh harder.
What was Lacie doing to me? Rarely would I have found the antics of my secretary funny, but last night opened a part of me I wasn’t ready to shut down.
“I didn’t know you were married, but I wasn’t asking you out. I was asking because I met the most impossible, incredible, and most beautiful woman last evening. I am taking her on a date and I need it to make an impression. I fear if I don’t come at her full force with this date then I’m going to lose her.”
Lydia jumped out of her chair. She started pacing the room.
“Okay. Well, if she’s responsible for the new you this morning then I’m on board. We need to make sure she stays. Is locking her in your house against her will an option?”
Grinning at her, I said, “I like the way you think, but let’s use that as a last resort.”
Lydia smiled and started thinking, throwing out ideas.
I listened to her ideas, and they weren’t bad. But so far, she hadn’t hit on one that struck as being right for Lacie.
I looked at Lydia. “What about a picnic? Under the stars?”
Lydia stopped. “That is perfect. A blanket spread out over the grass, some wine or beer. Food, appetizers, a romantic meal, and candles. Yes! There should be candles everywhere. But where could you pull all that together this quickly and give you the privacy you need?”
I grinned at her.
“My backyard. I have a patio. I can light the torches around it. I can put the blanket on the lawn. Place candles all around the blanket and patio.”
Lydia clapped her hands.
“We need to go shopping to get everything, but I need to see what all we need. Come on, you need to take me to your place first to see what we’re working with.”
I laughed. “What about the rest of the day?”
She waved me off. “Please. If I can have you this happy every day, I will come in on Saturday to catch up from today’s load.”
I stood and grabbed my keys, laughing as we left the office.
We took separate cars. I was going to stay at the house and fix things up while she shopped to get what was needed. Lydia seemed excited about the location and the look of everything. She ran out to get the candles, candleholders, more oil for the torches, and some food to make appetizers.
I wanted to keep it simple and told her nothing fancy. My plan was to just order a pizza for dinner, because Lacie said she liked simple. That would surely make her feel more relaxed than something fancy.
When Lydia returned, I went to her car to unload it. She headed into the kitchen and put together some things, while I went around back to set everything up. Before I knew it, there was just over two hours till I had to go pick Lacie up.
I was getting nervous, and I never got nervous. What if she didn’t like it? Lydia saw the doubts on my face.
“Whoa there, bossman. What’s wrong? What’d we forget?”
I shook my head.
“How am I going to get all this ready when I have to pick her up?”
Lydia smiled. “No worries. I’m going to run home now and check on my husband. Then I’ll come back here after giving you time to get ready. I’ll wait till you pick her up. Text me, then I’ll light everything, put the appetizers on the counter for you to come in and grab. I’ll put an ice bucket out back with the beer. I’ll order the pizza for you to be delivered an hour later, telling them to bring it around back. I’ll sneak out the front door while you whisk her around the back of the house. Perfect!”
I looked at her and smiled.
“Thank you, Lydia. I appreciate your help.”
She smirked.
“How much do you appreciate me? Maybe a raise or bonus?”
I laughed.
“I’ll see about that raise, Lydia. Thank you for putting up with me. I’m sorry I’m such a dick.”
It was Lydia’s turn to laugh.
“I wouldn’t call you a dick. Sometimes asshole, but your driven, I get it. Who called you a dick?”
I smiled. “Lacie.”
She shook her head and grinned. “And you swooned over being called a dick. I’ll never understand men.”
She turned and went to leave.
“I’ll be back in an hour and a half. Wear casual jeans and a light sweater, or casual shirt. No dress pants, suits, or dress shirts. You want her to be comfortable, not feeling like she’s at a business dinner.”
I nodded and followed her to the front door.
It was time to get ready. I showered, dressed in a pair of dark blue jeans, my most comfortable slip-on shoes, semi-dressy, semi-casual. I put on an emerald, green lightweight sweater and tousled my light brown hair. I was ready.
Looking around outside one last time, I went into the kitchen to see what Lydia planned with the food. It was perfect. I was ready to sweep Lacie off her feet tonight. Lydia arrived just as my nerves were rising to the surface. She was there a few minutes earlier than necessary. She took one look at me and knew I was about to lose it.
“Take a breath, Jackson. It’s going to be perfect. Now go! Stop and buy her flowers on the way and then text me when you leave her place.”
I nodded at her.
“What kind of flowers should I get?”
She shook her head. “Pick out whatever reminds you of her.”
I nodded again as I headed out the door.
My first thought as I pulled up in front of her apartment building was how she deserved so much better than this. The place really looked rundown, and it wasn’t in the greatest section of town. I also understood the necessity of having something small and affordable since she was on her own.
I was pretty sure that Lacie didn’t always have money for food. She was too proud though to ask anyone for help. As gorgeous as her body was, she was on the thin side. She would definitely benefit by adding a little to those curves.
I was just the man to watch those curves grow.
“Shake it off, Jackson. Pull yourself together. You need to stop imagining her naked.”
I got out of my car and walked into her apartment building. I was pretty sure I was ready for tonight. I just hoped it ended the way I wanted—with Lacie wanting me as much as I wanted her.