Chapter Eight
The delivery guys picked up the last piece of the cardboard box and left. Trent studied the new bedroom furniture with satisfaction. “Think she’ll like it?” Trent asked John as his brother wandered in from the kitchen. He had asked for John’s help shopping for a bedroom set. John had connections with a personal shopper at Barney’s who could get him the complete set in a day, even if it meant dismantling the floor models. Less than three hours after he paid, his purchase was delivered and installed. Trent wanted to make it a surprise for Arielle. Since they were a couple at last, he wanted for them to share a bed. They had ordered some furniture but it wouldn’t have been delivered for another three weeks. Arielle was sleeping on an air mattress in her small room while he crashed on a futon. Having a fully furnished room was only proper now that they were officially together.
John surveyed the room with satisfaction. “It’s better than where you’re sleeping right now. I can already see all the filthy things you’re going to do in here,” he said with a grin. “Shall I accessorize this dungeon of love too? I kn
ow a lady in Soho who owns a specialty leather shop. Some whips, blindfolds, or a spanking bench should do fine.”
Trent gave him a dirty look. “I’m not like you, horndog. Arielle is a good girl. Get your mind out of the gutter once in a while.”
“Don’t judge it until you’ve tried it yourself. A little kink will spice up your love live.”
“I’m not going to take sex advice from a serial womanizer. Now shut up, get me three dozen red roses, and I’ll pretend I haven’t heard everything you just said.”
John snorted. “If you’re going to order me around, the least you could do is ask nicely.”
“Why should I? You’re the youngest. By birth hierarchy, you’re technically our gopher. And while you’re at it, pick up some takeout too. I don’t know, something fancy perhaps? Date night food?”
“If you want fancy stuff, you’d better take her to a real restaurant. What kind of food does she like?”
“Chinese, I think.”
John sneered. “She’s your mate and you don’t even know what her favorite food is?”
“She likes everything; you know? But she’s never told me specifically. I think she really enjoyed it when I took her to a Chinese restaurant.”
“Chinese food it is.” John snapped his fingers. “Take her to Philippe then. It’s on the Upper East Side. Their chicken satay is to die for.”
“Do I need to make a reservation?”
John waved him off. “I’ll take care of it. You just take her there. Dinner at six, maybe?”
“Sounds good. That way I can pick her up at her office at five.”
“Leave everything to me. Doctor Love is in the house and he’ll make sure your special sexy night goes smoothly.” John patted Trent’s shoulder in mocking sympathy. “Don’t fuck this up, brother.”
“Shut up. Just, shut the hell up.”
~~~
He picked her up from the office and they went to have a dinner at Philippe. It was a little after nine when they finally get back to the apartment. Over dinner, Trent had told her he had a surprise for her and she couldn’t wait to find out what it was.
“I smell candles,” she said as he opened the apartment door.
“Just wait—don’t ruin the surprise,” he called back. He gave everything a once over and came back to collect her. Arielle was curious. “Close your eyes and don’t you dare take a peek.”
“Okay.” She closed her eyes obediently.
Trent took her hand and guided her into the bedroom. “You can open your eyes now.”
“Whoa! Trent! When did you do all this?”
“Today. John helped me. He knows a lot of people that can make things happen on short notice. What do you think?”
“I love it. I love everything, even the lamps. You have great taste.”
“I can’t take the credit. John picked all those out. I know nothing about decorating and furniture.”
“Something tells me you have an ulterior motive to all of this.”