Descent (Black Heart Romance)

It’s absurd to be even slightly disappointed that this is the date. It’s not something I even want to admit to myself, but… that’s how I feel.

Shaking it off and telling myself to be sensible, I gather the bottom of my gown so I can climb out of the car without tripping on it. If anything, my conflicted feelings solidify the fact that I desperately need to never see this man again. He’s scrambling my mind, and the sooner our last night is done, the better.

Calvin offers his arm once we’re both out of the limo. I don’t want to take it so I walk past, pretending not to notice he did. I don’t have to pretend to be distracted by the grandeur of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Lifting my skirt, I begin to ascend the steps alone, but my heart sinks when I’m yanked backward and fear grabs hold of me.

My heart expects to plummet backward down the steps, but instead a strong arm settles around my waist. Calvin yanks me into his side a bit forcefully, then slides me a sideways look of censure.

“In case you were wondering, it wasn’t a mere suggestion when I offered you my arm.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks. The tone of his voice and the stiffness of his posture lets me know I’ve insulted him and floods me with an insane need to apologize. I could lie and pretend I didn’t see the arm he offered, but I know that would only further irritate him.

I shouldn’t care if I irritate him, but a pit opens up in my stomach and seems to insist that I do.

Damn my good manners.

Swallowing past a lump in my throat, I glance over at him, but I can’t bring myself to apologize. I feel like I should, but I also feel like that would be crazy. I’m at odds with myself, so I don’t say a word.

Chapter Seventeen

Hallie

When we enter the great hall, there’s not another soul around.

I didn’t expect the event to be here in the great hall, but I look around for a sign or banner announcing the benefit and letting guests know where it’s located. I don’t see one, but I suppose an event like this is invitation-only, so maybe they have no need of a sign.

Calvin releases me so I can turn around, tilting my head back and looking up at the incredible architecture all around me. The beautiful archways, the high ceilings. I’ve never seen the place so empty before, but I have to admit, it’s pretty cool.

“I feel like we have the whole place to ourselves,” I murmur with a smile I can’t hold back. It’s not for him, it’s for The Met.

I feel his eyes on me as I wander over to look at an enormous mural painted on the wall. He startles me when he says simply, “We do.”

I spin around and my gaze darts back to him. “What?”

He gestures around the empty museum. “Do you see anyone else?”

“Well… no. But…” I look around again, as if someone might pop up.

No one does.

Frowning, I look back at Calvin. “I’m confused.”

Calvin takes a step forward, then another. He’s not coming toward me, but walking through the great hall. He seems to be heading somewhere, so I have to follow him to get my answer.

“The place is ours for the evening,” he states. “It’s a bit late to see everything, but I thought we’d take a stroll through the Egyptian art on our way to the main event.”

My heels click against the floor as I follow him. “Ours? You mean just ours?”

He nods once, then glances back at me. “There will be a guard on duty once we get into the gallery, but he’ll stay out of the way. Essentially, it’s just us.”

“You… rented out… The Met,” I say slowly, trying to wrap my head around what he’s saying. “Just for this. Just… for a date.”

“Correct.”

I blink and say nothing for a moment. He says it like it’s no big deal, but this is a very big deal.

I stop walking. Since my heels stop clicking, they give me away. Calvin stops and turns back to look at me, hiking an eyebrow in question.

It’s a rude question, I don’t even mean to ask it, but the words tumble out before I can stop them. “How rich are you?”

His lips quirk. “Rich enough.”

Then he gestures for me to come with him.

I want to know what it’s like to have a whole world-class museum to myself, so I do.

Moments later we’re approaching the tomb of Perneb and the beginning of the Egyptian art exhibit. I’ve been to the tomb before, but I didn’t stay long. The doorways are narrow and there are always a bunch of people to squeeze past. It made me feel claustrophobic, so I left before I even made it through the whole thing.