“Wow.”
In a few seconds, she relaxed further, but still held onto his hand with a bit of death grip as she stared out at what he’d wanted her to see.
What he’d wanted to share with her.
The New York City skyline from the air.
Penny flew them over the bay, along acceptable flight routes, lingered at all the right places, as if she could somehow hear Sarah’s breath catch over the loud buzz of the helicopter.
When they arrived back at the helicopter pad, Sarah gushed her thanks to Penny, who waved off the praise, hugged Sarah again, and gave Jude an approving thumbs-up that caused heat in his cheeks that some might have called a blush, but he knew better.
Within minutes, Jude and Sarah were back in the limo on their way home.
Home.
To his home.
Or her home.
Or to each their own?
As she leaned her head against his shoulder, squeezed his arm and thanked him for the most amazing night of her life, he knew the answer.
* * *
Sarah grew more and more antsy as the elevator made its way to their floor. Did she invite Jude into her apartment? Was that how this worked?
Or would he invite her into his?
Either way, she wanted what this night would bring. She couldn’t imagine any better conclusion to their wonderful evening than to spend the night in bed with Jude.
That would be the grand finale.
The real surprise.
The first of all firsts.
What would make her stomach soar and drop in ways Penny’s helicopter never could.
Feeling self-conscious,
she reached out and took his hand, startling him in the process.
He’d been lost in thought for most of the limo ride home. Which had been okay by her, because she’d rested up against him and felt an inner peace at where they were.
Did she have any expectations of Jude beyond the night?
No. She knew better. She didn’t even expect him to stay interested until Christmas. She was just another in a long line of women to enjoy the wonderful man he was.
Which didn’t exactly thrill her, but he hadn’t made any pretense of anything else. Other than that he’d said they’d enjoy each other through Christmas.
Which was so much more than she’d had to distract her from the holiday blah just a few days ago.
She walked beside him down the hallway, planning to take his lead on whether to invite him to her place or to eagerly follow him into his.
He stopped outside her apartment, so she dug into her coat pocket and pulled out her key.
Fumbling a little, she unlocked the door, but didn’t turn the handle, just looked up at him. “Are you coming inside with me, Jude?”