A Firefighter in Her Stocking

“Isn’t it, though?” He brushed a long strand of hair away from her face, and smiled a smile that made her heart skip a beat. “Grab your coat and let’s head out. The car is waiting.”

Expecting to see a taxi, Sarah’s feet froze in her new heels when she caught sight of the long black stretch limo pulled up to the curb in front of the building.

Taking in his proud smile, she choked, “What have you done?”

His pleasure at her reaction was as obvious as the huge smile on his face. “Arranged a ride to the theater.”

“A taxi would have done just fine.”

He squeezed her hand. “Tonight’s not a taxi kind of night.”

She cut her gaze to him. “Why not?”

He lifted her gloved hand to his lips and pressed a kiss there. “I promised the best night of your life, remember?”

“Mission accomplished.”

His smile widened. “Good.”

“I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. All this isn’t necessary.”

“All this is very necessary,” he assured. “Tonight is a night of firsts.”

He had no idea.

Or maybe he did. Maybe that was why he was going to the extra trouble. Although if he was really the womanizer she’d initially labeled him as she supposed it didn’t make sense that he’d go to so much trouble.

“Your first Broadway show,” he clarified, grinning, and his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Our first date.”

“Probably our last,” she added, with an eye roll because she was scared if she kept looking at him he might see just how touched she was by how much effort he’d gone to.

“Such an optimist,” he teased, and tucked her hand between his. “You agreed to through Christmas. I’m holding you to that. Don’t you expect to enjoy yourself?”

She did expect to enjoy tonight. Very much. Like a fairy-tale princess on her way to the ball with the handsome prince. A heroic prince who fought fire-breathing dragons and carried her away in his chariot.

“Also my first limo ride,” she said, offering him a small smile.

When her gaze connected with his, what she saw there stole her breath. So did his next words.

“Then I’m even happier I didn’t go for a taxi.”

The driver opened the passenger door and held out his hand to assist her. Sarah climbed into the car, slid across the seat to make room for Jude.

Make room for him? Half their apartment complex could fit inside the thing.

“The driver will take us to the Majestic and pick us up afterward. We have reservations for dinner at—” he named a French restaurant she’d heard of, but had never been to “—and then afterward I have a surprise I think you’ll enjoy.”

Sarah wasn’t really a surprise kind of girl. There had been too many unknowns during her childhood for that. None of them ever good. She liked having a plan and knowing what to expect so she could prepare.

Besides, afterward? The show would last a few hours, then dinner. That would put them well past ten, probably close to eleven. Just what did he have planned? Maybe he really was some type of superman, but she needed sleep.

She wasn’t scheduled in the emergency room the next day, but she did have things she planned to do.

She glanced around the inside of the limo, at the pure luxuriousness of the interior, then over at the man sitting beside her.

Looking like an eager kid to give her whatever his surprise was, he grinned and her heart jerked.

Careful, Sarah. Not only is Jude exactly what your mother has warned you about your whole life, he’s got more layers than you’d have ever given him credit for.