My heart thundered. Closeness was dangerous. I stood.

  He got up too. “Are we leaving?”

  “Yes, I want to check out the next collection.” We walked out of the Monet experience and into a plain corridor. I took a deep breath, trying to get used to being back in reality. We headed into an exhibit room. “Did your mom teach all of you how to get a girl?”

  He pressed his shoulder against mine. “You would know if she'd ever given me homework on that subject.”

  Fair. I was grasping at straws. We walked through an exhibit depicting ancient war armor, and I hugged myself. I needed to get a grip.

  “Did you really not… have sex with anyone else but me all these years?” I asked.

  He stilled, gazed down at me, and waited till I met his eyes. “I’d had perfection. I’ve kissed a few other girls as potential girlfriends, but I never saw anything through. I wanted you.”

  My knees melted a little. I stopped swaying a second later though, and turned to study the weapons next to the armor. “Eight years is a long time, and I’m not that special.”

  “Why do you do that?”

  I cringed. “Do what?”

  “Talk bad about yourself. Clarissa, I’m not going anywhere.”

  I closed my eyes. I knew I was looking for a reason to build walls around my heart. So I kept silent.

  He directed me to the inner garden where two easels were set up in front of copy of the famous Monet The Artist's Garden at Giverny. My heart thumped.

  I walked over to the easels. "What's this?"

  “Don’t you remember?” he asked.

  Memories washed over me of one of the few idyllic moments in my life. We’d been seventeen, and it had been the summer before college. I picked up a brush.

  “We painted copies in the garden of your parents' house,” I said. My heart thumped. I had no walls, no defenses at all against him.

  “That was the day I realized you were it for me," he said. "It’s why I wanted to take you here today.”

  Tears washed down my cheeks. He was perfect. I had no defenses against stopping him from having my heart and anything else he might want. I swiped at my cheeks. “I… need a minute to freshen up before we start this…”

  “Whatever you need,” he said when I was walking away.

  I rushed to the corridor and toward the ladies' room. I wasn’t sure what Elon was thinking, but I was lost in the fantasy that our relationship might be absolutely real.

  38

  Elon

  My chest felt like it caved in as I waited for her to finish painting. I’d been so excited about my idea to copy a Monet painting, but now I wasn’t sure if it had been a good one. She was miserable. I wasn’t sure if therapy would help or if there was anything else I could do to make her happy.

  If she decided she wanted a life away from me, I might have to respect her decision.

  My stomach twisted. Then my phone dinged. I picked it up and realized it was Charlie in the family group chat.

  Charlie: I told work I quit.

  Forgetting my drama for a moment, I typed back.

  Me: Awesome. I’m happy for you.

  Charlie: Aren’t you on a date with your true love?

  My skin was all pins and needles. I hated being called out.

  Me: She’s

  I stopped typing as texting wasn’t a good way to confess that I was losing hope. I took a deep breath and finished the text.

  Me: She's in the bathroom. Congrats, though.

  My heart raced. I never talked like that.

  Charlie: My last flight is in two weeks from Paris. Then I’ll fly home to New York. Party when I get to my place and stay this time.

  I glanced up from my phone to see Clarissa walking toward me, her face shining. She looked like an angel. Was that because of how much I loved her? I tucked my phone back in my pocket, and she brushed my arm.

  “What were you doing?” she asked.

  Letting her go was going to break me, but she could be right that I depended on money. I forced myself to smile. “Group chat with my brothers. Charlie is moving to Manhattan. His penthouse is in the building next to mine.”

  She pressed her hand on her stomach. “Heaven forbid a Norouzi would have an apartment even one floor down.”

  I wasn’t sure why she was smiling.

  “More sarcasm?” I asked.

  She patted my back. “Not really."

  "Are you ready to paint?” I asked.

  She slipped into one of the seats behind an easel. “Absolutely. I cleaned my face.”

  I picked up a brush. “I never meant to make you cry.”

  Her eyes misted, but she smiled at me. “Of course you didn’t. I know that. Now let’s focus.”

  “You’re on.” I hoped this would help make her a little happier.

  We focused on the photo in silence until a staff member came in with a tray to the inner garden. She blinked and stared at me. “What’s this?”

  If this was the end of our time together, I wanted to spend it in style. “Wine and snacks.”

  “Perfect,” I said as a staff member poured wine into our glasses.

  I watched her as she tasted it. I needed to prove how much she meant to me without using money to do it.

  39

  Clarissa

  The drive to the restaurant in the limo reminded me that I didn't belong In Elon's world. There were people on the streets of Manhattan from all walks of life, and most of them knew what it was like to work for a living.

  Elon made every second special. I had no answers for what I wanted from the future, but I'd promised myself to enjoy the day. At the restaurant, as we stepped into a private dining room with living plants that provided wall-to-wall greenery, I quickly gazed at the white uniforms worn by the staff.

  I’d been raised to a life of service, and from first glance, it was obvious the restaurant staff was at the top of its game. When we were seated, I glanced at the menu. It didn't give options—it was more a statement on what to expect. My eyes widened as I read. “This is the place Gerard recommended?”

  Elon nodded. “Yes. Why?”

  My mind formed a picture of his brother cruising around the world. Adrien's blog listed some amazing, mouthwatering dishes he’d enjoyed. “The whole menu is vegetables. Did Adrien turn into a vegetarian? HIs blog still talks about meat.”

  Elon shook his head. “After the pandemic, this restaurant decided to focus on sustainable food. One dinner here pays for five meals for hungry children.”

  He'd provided another reason to be here. The old thought that I didn't belong began to surface, but when the food came, I focused on the savory smell of the appetizer and set aside my fears.

  “Work was hard during the pandemic," I said. "The theme park was closed for a while, but the good thing about it was I got to spend some one-on-one time with Sam. And I think he liked being with me too.”

  We both sampled the butternut squash fundido, which tasted like a healthy cheese dip. I spooned some more as Elon finished his first taste.

  “Sounds perfect,” he said.

  I swallowed and wished the small bowl of fundido was larger. But on the other hand, I was curious about the rest of the meal. “It wasn’t so bad for me, but so many people had so much loss that they don’t really talk about it.”

  “I understand," he said. "I’m the same way.”

  I sipped my wine, which seemed to cleanse my palette. “Did you ever spend a day alone?”

  He nodded. I was surprised. I’d read that the ultrawealthy retreated to oceanfront properties on private islands. I knew the Norouzis had more than one of those.

  “A few weeks. I volunteered for duties at the hospital, as my colleagues were exhausted," he said. "Then I had to quarantine, all with only Cyrus for company.”

  “Wow.” I’d never once thought of him putting himself at risk. My heart raced a little as I reached across the table and took his hand. “I’m impressed. Though it sounds like you weren’t entirely alone, you shouldn’t have taken risks like that.”

  "The infectious disease guys were happy to get a few hours of sleep in the early days, and it was easier to work knowing my brother Cyrus was doing the same thing. That meant I had someone to talk to who saw the same stuff happening. And I knew money doesn’t matter to infectious diseases.”

  There seemed to be nothing left to say on that subject. We both focused on our food. The staff came to take our plates away.

  “Well, the first course was delicious,” I said.

  “Ten more to go,” he said as the staff left with our plates.

  I must not have read the menu closely enough. “You’re kidding.”

  “Nope. Relax and enjoy.”

  I reread the menu. Some more servers came in to deliver the next vegetable course. The stuffed shishito peppers reminded me a bit of poppers. They tasted heavenly, which was also a perfect word for this day with Elon. “Always.”

  Hopefully, I’d be able to spend the rest of my life just focusing on the here and now. Maybe then I’d be happy.

  40

  Elon

  My stomach felt full as we exited the restaurant. My brother would want me to report on what we'd thought of his recommendation, but I could do that later. As we made it to the street, the brightness of the afternoon added to the perfect day. Walking was free, but I supposed the expensive lunch and museum hadn’t been in my favor.

  She tugged on my arm. “Let’s walk back to Central Park.”

  The city was large. I tilted my head and saw she was still radiating warmness. “You sure?”

  She went up and down on her toes. “I want to see the window displays and get a sense of what fashion looks like these days in your world.”

  Fair enough. I told the driver our plans and returned to Clarissa. “We can get you anything you want.”

  The words flew out of my mouth. I sucked in my lips, as offers like that weren't going to prove that I wasn't trying to buy her love.

  We started off on our journey back to Central Park. “I remember some of the designers your mother supported. I’m curious if any of them now have their own stores.”

  People passed us on all sides as we walked, but all I saw was Clarissa. “Sounds fun.”

  Steam rose from a nearby vent. We could hear the squeal of the subway. She hugged herself and smiled as we trekked along. “I’d forgotten how walking the streets of this city made me feel," she said.

  She was cute like this. “What’s that?”

  She sighed. “That there were so many people, and I’m an equal, not just someone who scurries to deliver.”

  “My family has always thought of you as an equal, even if yours didn’t.” I wondered if I could just enjoy our date without worrying about the future. “Did you ever regret not finishing college?”

  She shrugged and brushed against me. “Yes and no. I was happy with Sam, and I focused on that, just as I’m now promising to focus on one day at a time.”

  Amazing. I refused to spend another second of the day worrying. She was hot and mine. “Is that why you’re happy now?”

  She hooked her arm in mine. “I’m with you.”

  I needed her. All my promises to keep my hands to myself faded. I tugged her closer to me. “I’m going to kiss you.”

  She batted her eyes. “Sounds perfect.”

  Her lips tasted better than dessert. My body burned for her, and I held her tight. “I wish we were alone.”

  She sucked on her bottom lip and bounced. I ached to be inside her again. She cupped my ass. “We’re almost back to your place.”

  I laughed, raised her palm to my lips, and kissed it. Then we walked faster. Being with her was everything I needed.

  41

  Clarissa

  My heart was racing as we rode the elevator up to the apartment. My lips still tasted like Elon. I ached to be his.

  My heart whispered it was time to tell him I loved him. I needed to share that his feelings weren't just one-sided. However, as the door closed to the apartment, I asked, “What time will Sam be back?”

  He unbuttoned his shirt. “A few more hours. Arman and Maddie are taking Sam and Aurora to a lunch and the park.”

  Perfect. I lifted my dress over my head and headed to the bedroom. “Then we have time.”

  I dropped my clothes onto a chair in the bedroom and ignored how my feet ached. I needed his physical touch. Afterward, we could talk.

  He closed the door behind him and came toward me. “Good.”

  His arms wrapped around me. I knew that in less than a minute, I’d be completely naked and he’d be inside me as if we were one.

  My heart raced. I wanted him as much as he wanted me. I looped my arms around his neck, and the world faded when he kissed me. We took a break for air, and I pressed against his chest. “But—“

  “We can stop,” he said and stepped away. “I need to prove myself."

  Prove what? I had no idea what he meant, but it didn’t matter. I grabbed his arm so he wouldn't disappear. My heart thumped. “No, that’s not it.”

  He stared into my eyes, and tension rocked through me. “What then?”

  I love you. The words should be easy to say. I said them to our son all the time. In the dreams I had at night, I'd already told Elon I loved him. I trembled, and when I opened my mouth, the words wouldn’t come.

  He lifted an eyebrow. I swallowed. “I’ve been falling for you since you brought us to your house.”

  “Our house,” he said. “Together, we make it a home.”

  Damn, he was wonderful. I met his lips with mine once again.

  My entire body buzzed with awareness. As we parted for air, I reached down and unfastened my bra. If I couldn’t tell him with words that he had my heart, I’d show him with actions.

  I dropped the bra just as he tugged off his boxer briefs.

  I reached for his already hard dick and stroked him.

  He sighed in happiness as he reached over and moved my panties to the side so he could caress my core.

  My body was already melting. I was ready for him—always. I wanted to cry out that I loved him but pressed my lips to his as he strummed me.

  He sat on the bed, and I tried to crawl onto him. This wasn’t just sex for me. He'd been right that friendship was hard when hearts were on the line.

  He stopped me from climbing on and rolled on a condom. My eyes were so glazed with desire that I hadn't seen where it came from, and I didn’t care.

  Once he was ready, I lowered myself on him.

  He let out a moan, and I found a rhythm. He traced my body with his hands and held my ass as I rode him.

  I wasn’t holding back anymore. When my orgasm hit, I realized one thing: I trusted him with every part of my soul because he’d always been the one for me.

  42

  Elon

  My body was both spent and ready for her again. I ached to be inside her physically—my soul was already with her. I wasn’t sure what to do to prove myself, though, if I wasn’t going to spend another dime. She opened her eyes, and I hugged her as she laid on my chest.

  Her nipples against my body sent a thrill through me. I needed her again. As she moved beside me, I gently brushed her hair out of her face and smiled. “You’re bolder now.”

  She giggled and winked at me. “We both know you liked it.”

  “I do.” I kissed her. She was it for me—always.

  My entire soul swelled like we were on the same page, but I didn't say that so as not to spook her. She'd gone on a date with me, so that was a start.

  I cupped her butt. “Well, I’m hoping we have time for round two.”

  Her lips quirked, and she sighed. “You’re ready for that?”

  I was, but she might need a few minutes to refresh. I took her hand and sat up. “I’m always ready for you, but…”

  She lifted an eyebrow. “Why don’t we—”

  “Enjoy the hot tub.” I never used the hot tub in the apartment, although the first day she’d come to my house in Connecticut, I’d wanted my brother to disappear so I could be alone with her in the hot tub I had there.

  I stood, and she followed. “You have a hot tub here?”

  I opened a side door I hardly used to the balcony where the hot tub was located. From the balcony was a view of Central Park far below. She stayed still in the bedroom, and I waved for her to come outside. "We’re in the penthouse, and the bannister is high. No one’s going to see.”

  She sucked on her bottom lip but came out, peeking her head over the metal top of the bannister. “Living on the edge, I see.”

  “Funny.” I waved for her to get into the black marble hot tub as I turned on the jets.

  She hopped in, and bubbles formed. She laughed. “This feels nice.”

  I slipped in beside her, and the heat rushed through me as I settled in. “In a normal shower, natural lubrication can be washed away.”

  She covered my lips with the fingers of one hand. “You don’t have to sound like a doctor right now.”

  When she lowered her hand, I told her, “I want to take care of you.”

  “You are. You do.”

  For a few lovely minutes, we said nothing.

  I watched the way her nipples moved in the water. I couldn’t see anything else as I ached to have her.

  She must have realized how much I wanted her. She stood and waved for me to head back into the apartment. “I was thinking—“

  “Thinking is for later.” I flipped the jets off, got out of the hot tub, and followed her inside. In the bedroom, I reached out to draw her hips to me and kissed her neck. She turned around and laughed as we kissed again.

  She made me happy. Today, it had truly felt like we’d made love as opposed to having sex, and we were about to do it again.