Taken by You (19 page)

Chapter 20

Neil woke up before Kate to make the preparations that he had been contemplating since their fifth date. He had wanted to propose on Thanksgiving, but Mitch had beaten him to the punch. So he came up with a plan for the day after. He wanted this to be the most romantic day of Kate’s life—a day that she would never forget—a day that would make all of her friends swoon when she told them about it. He was extremely pleased with himself. It was way better than Mitch’s proposal to Charlie, not that it was a competition or anything.

He made his way downstairs and then into his office. He took the envelope out of his desk drawer and wrote
“Kate” on it. He knew that she would reach for the coffee maker first thing, so that’s where he would put the note. He then would leave the apartment to finalize his arrangements for the evening.

His mind wandered to her stunning face and
he imagined the delight he hoped to see this evening when he got down on one knee. She was his everything, the woman he desired more than any other in the world. His beautiful Kate.

He heard some movement upstairs
and took that as his cue to make his departure. This only worked if he wasn’t here. He quietly closed the door behind him and told Porter, who was just getting off the elevator, to keep an eye on his girl today. Porter would be her shadow throughout the events that he had planned.

Porter
uncharacteristically, smiled broadly and nodded. “I know the plan, sir. I’ve got it covered.”

“Neil,” Kate called, bounding
down the stairs. When she didn’t hear a response, she called for him again. That’s strange. He didn’t mention going into work today. It was a four-day weekend and she was hoping they would spend the day together.

She entered the kitchen and took out the coffee beans. When she turned to the coffee maker, she found the note from Neil.
Hmm, what could this be about?

She opened the envelope and smiled.

Baby,

Since I love you a latte, please get your breakfast and coffee at our place.

Love,

Neil

Neil was inviting her to coffee at the bakery they frequented on the weekends.
How sweet. But why couldn’t we just go together?

She scurried upstairs to get ready for her coffee date with her beloved. As she walked up each step, she reflected on how much her life had changed since she fell in love with him, since she gave life a chance again. He had made her happier than she ever thought possible.

She studied her clothes in the closet for a moment and then decided to slip on her jeans, a black knit top and her black boots. She brushed her hair, her teeth, and applied her makeup as quickly as she could. Her man was waiting for her and she didn’t want to take too long.

She descended the stairs and made it to the front door in record time. Opening the door, she was greeted by Porter.

“Good morning, Porter.”

“Good morning
, Miss Simmons. Where are we off to today?”

“We’re meeting my wonderful boyfriend at the coffee house. Shall we?”

“After you,” he said, motioning toward the elevator.

On the ride down
, Kate pictured Neil in her head. He was so handsome, his hazel eyes and strong jaw took her breath away every time she saw him. Waking up to his gorgeous smile every morning and kissing his full lips every night; that was a dream come true. She wanted to have her body wrapped around his every chance she had. She was enchanted by him in every way possible. He was her soul mate.

***

When she and Porter arrived at the car, he opened the door for her and she climbed in. He went around to the driver’s side. As the garage door opened and he pulled out, Roger spotted him. He had been waiting for Kate to leave for about an hour, which hadn’t been too bad. Jacob was in the back playing his video game. He had brought snacks for the road trip that he had in mind for them, so he could now follow Kate and look for his opportunity. One brief moment when he could take her. Having her would make everything else worth it. She would be a good mother to his son. She would be a great partner for him. Maybe someday she would become his wife, but he didn’t want to get ahead of himself. For now, she was going to become his companion and lover.
I wonder if she can sense the excitement of our reunion today.

***

Porter parked in front of the bakery. Kate jumped out
, anticipating seeing Neil sitting at one of their tables. They usually sat outside. When she didn’t see him, she walked into the delicious smelling storefront. She couldn’t decide what smelled better, the freshly brewed coffee or the baking scones. Either way, she was having both.

As she glanced around the shop,
but Neil was nowhere to be found. Porter had just walked through the door. “Did you see Neil this morning before he left? I find it strange that he’s not here already.”

“Well, why don’t you go ahead and place your order. I’m sure things will become clear in a moment.”

“So you know what’s going on here?”

“Like I said, things will be clear in a moment,” he responded, trying to hide his smile.

She ordered a hazelnut coffee and a scone. When she paid the guy behind the counter, he handed her another note with her change. She opened it, unable to contain her giddiness. Neil was so romantic. She found a table to sit at so she could uncover the next clue in this mysterious game that Neil was playing. Taking a sip of her coffee, she read the note.

Roses are red

Violets are blue

Every dress at Georgio’s

Would be spectacular on you.

She could tell by the rhyme that she needed to go to Georgio’s, the boutique around the corner. She had admired the beautiful dresses in the window when she and Neil had walked around La Jolla. But she hadn’t ventured into the store, knowing that the clothes were beyond her budget and most of them she had no place to wear.

Porter sat at a table near
by, but gave her some privacy. He was really good at his job. She could tell that he didn’t want to become personally involved with her. She kept reading the note over and over while enjoying her breakfast. When she was finished, she looked over at Porter, who was scanning the room.

“Porter, my note from Neil is telling me to go to a dress shop around the corner. We can just walk there if that’s okay with you.”

“That would be fine, Miss Simmons.”

So formal. Did the guy ever loosen up? He had at least dressed somewhat casually for the day. She wondered if he had a personal life or if his entire life was protecting people who paid him.

As she stood to leave the bakery, he stood as well, following her out. Within a minute they were walking into the shop. Porter made sure that it was clear and then stood outside. Obviously, he wasn’t the shopping type.

The sales lady walked right up to Kate. “Are you Kate Simmons?” she asked with a bright smile.

“Yes, I am.”

The woman produced another note from her pocket. Kate opened it eagerly.

My Beaut
y,

I want you to find a dazzling dress to wear this evening. I have selected seve
ral possibilities. I hope that one of them will be to your liking.

XOXO

Neil

Kate’s mind flashed to the night Neil had given her the bikini and she became his mermaid. Little did she know then that was the beginning of their whirlwind romance. She looked at the sales woman with anticipation. “The note says that he has selected some gowns for me to try on.”

“Yes, he has. Right this way, my dear.”

Kate followed the sales woman to the fitting rooms. The dresses were waiting for her. “My name is Olivia. Please let me know if you need any other sizes or if you want my opinion on any of the gowns that Mr. Statton has chosen for you. We also have a variety of shoes and handbags to go with whichever dress you select.”

“Thank you
, Olivia. I’ll let you know when I need you.”

Kate stepped into the fitting room. She thumbed through the gowns and each was more beautiful than the one before. But
one caught her eye more than the others. It glimmered like the ocean when the sun cascaded over the waves. It reminded her of a mermaid, so she decided to try that one on first. This was the one that was meant for her.

She undressed quickly,
setting her clothes on the chair next to her. She unzipped the side zipper of the sequined masterpiece. She stepped into it and slid the fabric up her body, attaching the halter straps around her neck. Then she zipped it up. It fit her beautifully, just like she knew it would. She left the fitting room to find Olivia.

“Olivia, I need to see
a few accessories to go with this dress.”

Olivia turned around and gasped a
s she put her hand to her chest. “My dear, you look incredibly beautiful. I have exactly what you need to go with your gown. What is your shoe size?”

“I’m an eight and a half.”

“I will bring you shoes and a handbag. I just need to get your size from the back.”

Kate returned to the fitting room and waited for Olivia. A moment later, Olivia knocked on the fitting room door. “I have two possible shoes for you.”

Kate opened the door. Olivia had two boxes under her arm and a handbag in her hand. Kate’s eyes gravitated toward the handbag that was shades of blue and green beads that made it look like seaweed floating in the ocean. Down in the corner was an orange starfish. Olivia handed the bag to her. “This is perfect,” Kate exclaimed. “I love it.”

“Great. Let’s have you try on the shoes so you can decide which ones you like better.” Olivia motioned for Kate to sit on the chair. She bent down and put the shoe boxes on the floor. She opened the first
box. It contained a pair of strappy sandals that were the color of the ocean, just like the dress. There was a big jewel in the center of each shoe.

“Wow
! Those are gorgeous,” Kate said.

Olivia slipped the first shoe on Kate’s foot
and buckled the strap. She did the same with the other foot. Kate stood and took a step forward. “Is it okay if I walk around a little in these to see if I like the fit?”

“Absolutely,” Olivia said, moving
out of the way. Kate walked out of the fitting room and around the boutique. Then she motioned for Porter to come into the store.

“Porter, what do you think of this dress?”

Porter stared at her for a moment without speaking a word. His eyes said it all. “It looks like it fits you nicely, Miss Simmons.”

“Thank you, Porter. If you want to return outside, you may. I just wanted a man’s opinion.”

Porter nodded and returned outside. Kate turned and went back to the dressing room. She gazed at herself in the mirror, feeling like Cinderella as she prepared for the ball. She took the dress off and donned the clothes she came in wearing. There was no need to try on any of the other dresses. None could be more perfect than this one. She took the dress, handbag, and shoes out to the cash register.

“You didn’t want to try on any of the other dresses?” Olivia asked.

Kate shook her head. “This is the one. I knew it the moment I saw it.”

“Mr. Statton is a very lucky man. You
looked breathtaking in this dress.”

“I’m pretty sure that I am the lucky one. My very romantic boyfriend has set up a scavenger hunt for me and I am having such a wonderful time.”

“Good. I have another note for you,” Olivia said, pulling the note from her pocket.

Kate ripped it open with abandon, enthusiastic to read the next message from her sexy hunk of a man.

My Darling,

Now that you have your gown, please go to The La Jolla Salon and Day Spa. It’s time to be pampered.

All My Love,

Neil

Kate smiled at Olivia. “I’m going to the spa next. This is so exciting,” she giggled. “I can’t wait to see what he has planned for me there.”

Olivia’s smile was bright and wide. She gave Kate
a hanging bag with her dress inside and a shopping bag containing the shoes and hand bag. “Have a wonderful time and come see us again.”

“I wil
l. Goodbye!”

“Goodbye.”

Kate walked out to find Porter watching the street while he guarded the door. “It’s time to go. I have an appointment at The La Jolla Salon and Spa. Do you know where it is?”

“Yes
, I do.”

Kate and Porter walked back to the car.

***

Roger
had parked his car about a block in front of Kate’s car in the hopes of not being noticed. The security guard would be checking behind him, but not in front of him. After Kate and Porter pulled out of their space, he waited for several cars to pass before pulling out. By the direction they were headed it was obvious that they were not going home yet. He followed them to the day spa without being noticed and passed it by while they parked. He was glad that he hadn’t missed them when he took Jacob to the bathroom inside the bakery.