He shook his head once more with a smirk. “I need those too, but first a bed. A huge bed, so comfortable, you’ll want to be in it with me every night.”
With a wink, he hurried away. I turned back to the window, but this time, I was smiling.
* * *
Mitch admitted he hated shopping and wanted to get it done swiftly. I took him to a high-end furniture store in the area, somehow knowing only the best would do for him. When we walked out an hour later, my head was reeling, but he was happy. He’d chosen pieces with the same decisiveness he had displayed with everything else since I’d met him. A large sofa and chair were first in a deep wine colored fabric. A couple of bar stools for the counter were next, and then we spent the rest of the time bed shopping. He made me laugh as he tossed me on various mattresses, following me quickly to “test” them. The salesman walked away chuckling, telling Mitch to let him know when he found the right one. Mitch waved his hand, his mouth too busy kissing me to respond. But his odd method worked, and there was one bed we both agreed was perfect.
“Done,” he announced. “The rest I’ll pick up when we’re exploring some flea markets and antique places over the next while.”
I lifted my eyebrows in question. “Oh, we will?”
He pulled me off the bed with another passionate kiss. “Yep.”
I didn’t challenge him. I didn’t want to. I liked him too much.
After lunch, we stood outside the restaurant, his arm tight around my waist. “Do you really have to go?”
“Yes.”
“Can I see you later?”
I thought of all the laundry and errands I had to take care of. “Maybe tomorrow?”
“Perfect. I’ll take my things to the new place and you can meet me there. I’ll go wait for the furniture now.”
“I still don’t know how you managed to arrange delivery of the furniture so fast.”
“Money talks. He said they were in stock; I simply paid a premium to get them faster. I hate waiting. Patience isn’t my strongest point.”
I smirked. “I’ve noticed.”
He tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear. “Are you sure you can’t stay with me?”
“Mitch, I can’t.”
He lifted his arm, hailing a taxi. “Thought I’d ask one more time, in case I caught you off guard.”
Something in his voice made me pause. “I want to, but I have to take care of some things. So, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
His eyes lit up, his dimples deepened, and his smile was bright. “That gives me something to look forward to.”
He opened the door of the taxi and I slid in the back seat. He spoke with the driver for a moment, then pushed his way into the back seat, his broad shoulders filling the doorway.
“I’ve paid the fare.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
He frowned. “You need to get used to being treated well, Mandy. Expect nothing less than the best from me. You deserve it.”
He grasped the back of my neck, pulled my mouth to his, and kissed me deeply. His tongue stroked mine possessively, his fingers caressing my scalp. He drew back with a smile. “You deserve only the best.”
I stared at him, unsure how to reply.
“Can I call you later?” he asked, looking uncharacteristically nervous.
“I’ll call you if you don’t.” I winked.
“That’s my girl.” He shut the door and tapped the passenger window so the driver rolled it down. Mitch leaned in.