King of Diamonds (All About the Diamond #2), стр. 42

Time for the seventh inning stretch, so I get up and toss a bag of microwave popcorn in to pop and run for a bathroom break before the popcorn burns. I grab the hot bag from the microwave and a couple sodas, then back to my spot on the couch. The score is 4-1 Seals and those rookies in the outfield have been killing it, generating all four RBIs. The rest of the game isn’t very eventful and my king seems to be more interested in me. Who am I to argue?

Rick starts to rub my arm and hold me tighter to him. I catch him looking at me and not his usual glare while he shakes his head thinking I’m off the deep end or intense when he’s serious. He’s just looking at me. He pushes my hair out of my face, running his fingers through it and cups my head bringing my lips to his. He releases me, “You make me so happy.” His eyes tell me that he loves me and wants me. “I have a couple errands to take care of and I’ll be back to get you at 6pm for our date night, okay my queen?”

“I’ll be ready.” I smile at him, happy to have time to get ready. It’s a jeans night not a fancy night and those are my favorite, more my style and I can play with my outfit. I already know it’s going to be a fun night. Rick disappears into the bedroom for a few minutes and returns wearing his perfect fitting jeans, a black T-shirt that's stretched enticingly across his chest and tennis shoes. He grabs me, kissing me passionately before he winks at me and walks out the door. That man drives me crazy! I want to look good for him tonight, but not be overdressed so I follow his example and pull out my best jeans. I look through my shoes for my cutest tennis shoes and my red metallic Chucks jump out at me. I know exactly what I want to wear! I turn on some music and listen to my Fun playlist while I get ready, it starts off with The Go-Go’s “We Got the Beat.” I strip down to nothing and start over with red satin panties and a matching push-up bra. I pull on my jeans and my sparkly Chucks. I want to wear my black sleeveless deep V-neck that says POP STAR in red foil letters across my breasts. Before I pull it on, I brush my hair out and try a few different things, finally taking my curling iron to it and going fluffy. I have time to get it all curled and it’ll make me feel like I’m dressed for a date even though I’m basically wearing jeans and a T-shirt. I pull my shirt on and look in the mirror as “One Way or Another” by Blondie comes on. I put on smoky silver eye shadow, black eyeliner, black mascara, a touch of blush and cherry flavored fire engine red lip gloss. I look in the mirror again and I love all of the red. I’m pumped up, dancing around the house and singing to “Lola” by the Kinks with the volume turned up.

I scream out startled when someone touches me. Rick got back and I didn’t hear him come in. “Sorry, my queen. I knocked because it’s date night, but you couldn’t hear me over the music.” He looks me up and down, “Those are some red lips.”

“They’re cherry flavored just for you.” His body reacts, he wants to taste.

“I can’t kiss you. I’ll mess you up before we ever get out of the house.”

I giggle, “It’s just lip gloss and I have more.”

“Before you distract me, I want to take you out tomorrow for a late night picnic. Interested?” He waits to see how I respond and he has a bag in his hand.

“Anything with you, my king.” I smile wondering what he’s up to.

“I thought you could put together the food, seems right up your alley.” He pulls a backpack out of the bag, “Everything we need will have to fit in here and I’m driving, so no alcohol. Think midnight snack or something like that.”

The backpack is made for picnics. It has a section that keeps things cold, a place for a blanket, and everything else you might need. I see a trip to the public market on my to do list for tomorrow. “Challenge accepted!”

He puts his arms around my waist and pulls me in for a taste of my cherry lips. “The cherry is fun, but you taste sweet all by yourself.” Enjoying my playfulness and making sure I know he loves me the way I am, without anything extra added.

“We’re walking tonight. Are you ready to go?” I put on my moto jacket, adding my ID and lip gloss to the pocket. I smile at him and he takes my hand as we walk out the door.

We casually stroll and talk on our way to wherever we’re going. “I’ve really enjoyed having more time with you the last few days. I’ve been rewarded, not suspended.” His words make me warm all over because I feel the same way. At first I felt guilty because it never would’ve happened if I wasn’t there, or I simply managed to keep my mouth to myself. But, getting to help him with things like getting his hand to stop bleeding and reducing his pain, well, somehow it burrowed him deeper into my heart and brought us closer together. The effects of real life, pushing us together rather than pulling us apart like they do to so many people. I’m thankful his injuries weren’t worse and the last few days of his suspension have been time for us.

We walk up to the Locale and Rick opens the door for me, “I thought it would be fun to go back to where it started.” He guides me