I shouldn’t feel nervous, but I fucking did. I drove under the building and parked in my usual spot.
“We’re here.” I pulled the keys from the ignition and walked around to let Natalia out of the passenger side.
“And here is where you live?” she guessed.
“Come on.” I tugged her behind me and led her to the elevator. I punched in the button and we rode to the top floor.
“You’re not going to tell me anything?”
“Give me five seconds and you’ll see for yourself.”
I shoved the key in the lock and opened the door for the new apartment. She walked over the threshold and turned to look at me.
“What is this place?”
I grinned. “It’s ours.”
“What?” Her eyes darted back and forth.
“Yep. I bought it for you. For us.” I pulled her hand. “This is our living room, the kitchen, the master suite is back there, but this is really what I want you to see.” I opened the door and waited for her reaction.
“Oh my God.”
“Do you like it?”
“You built a studio for me?”
“I did. I wanted you to be able to dance here. And look, there’s even a place for your turntable from Madame Collette built into the wall. I had them add speakers so we can tie the whole system together. And the chandeliers are like the one you have, I think, but you can change anything you don’t like.”
“Sam, this is unbelievable.” She threw her arms around me, and I hoisted her from the floor.
My lips landed on hers as I drew her close to my body. I wrapped my arms around the curve of her waist.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“You were sure of yourself, weren’t you?” She smiled.
“I was not going to use the picture.” I eyed her. “But, yes, I know you belong with me. Here.”
She stepped out of my arms and walked to the barre, pressing on it. She lifted her heel on one edge and leaned over so her body was folded in half.
“You know that this is a turn on for me, right? Watching you dance? Watching your body move like that?”
She smiled at me wickedly. “That’s good to know.” She switched legs and stretched across her ankle, letting her fingers flow to her foot.
“I’m serious. I see you in the mirror and I think about the night in your apartment.” I walked behind her.
“I think about it too,” she whispered.
I kissed her neck. She tasted sweet and wild. God I wanted her. I wanted to christen this room and the entire apartment.
But it wasn’t ready. There was dust everywhere and wires sticking out of the walls. I didn’t know when one of the workers might walk back in from a break.
“Can I take you to our temporary home?” I suggested.
She looked around. “There’s more?”
I waggled my eyebrows. “Yes. I live downstairs.”