Page 100 of Between Never and Forever

“You’re not,” I said as I walked past him, out the doors of the office and to the elevator, but my little brother kept following.

“You aren’t going to box me out of a friendship with her now that you’re fucking.”

“Watch your mouth. And you’re not coming on our date,” I growled out as Dimitri got in the elevator with me.

“Why not? The paps know me as the best friend anyway. Half of them think we dated.”

“All the more reason for you to fuck off.” I punched the top floor button.

“Let me guess. You told security you had it handled for going out with Kee. Do you honestly think you won’t need me?”

“It won’t be that bad,” I grumbled.

“You have no fucking idea how bad her fans want to see you two together.”

I ignored him because I figured I’d be able to control the environment. Jimmy and I had already discussed the safest roads to take to get to the large ride I wanted to take her on. Then, I could take her to eat for everyone to catch a glimpse but still be private.

When the door of the elevator opened, I turned to him. “Stay in the elevator, Dimitri.”

My brother realized his place and sighed as he leaned against the railing. “Take security with you.”

He knew I wouldn’t listen. I had it under control.

But I didn’t.

* * *

Kee was dressedin one of the silly shirts I’d had made for her, and we threaded our hands together as we went out on the Vegas Strip. The first couple of blocks were fun. She squealed at a person in costume and stopped to admire the Bellagio’s water show before we got to the High Roller, one of the world’s largest Ferris wheels.

“Oh, Dex. We can’t ride this thing. The line will get crazy with us in it.” She glanced around nervously, but I kissed her cheek.

“It’s fine. I bought the ride for an hour.”

“What do you mean? There’s got to be thirty cabins.”

“Twenty-eight. And I bought them all.”

“For an hour?” she squeaked.

“Just go with it.”

When we got on the wheel, I saw a crowd forming behind us. Pictures were being taken, people were yelling a few things, but we were about to leave them all behind to ride up to the top of the city. I had her to myself, looking down at everyone and everything we’d built, for thirty minutes.

Her hair whipped around in the wind as she smiled big at me, her eyes full of happiness. “This is so freaking ridiculous, and I love it. I love being here with you. It’s like we’re young again. I feel—”

“Alive?”

“Free,” she said, and then she pulled me close and kissed me hard.

And fuck, I kissed her back just as hard for the whole world to see. I knew there would be pictures of us everywhere tomorrow, but I didn’t care. She was mine anyway, wearing my ring, my shirt, so my fucking lips were on hers.

When her hand went down to my trousers, though, I stopped her. “Kee, Jesus. No. There are too many people down there.”

Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “But there's no one up here. Plus, I’m guessing you didn’t allow the cameras to be filming…?” She glanced at the cameras above us. She was learning.

“No shit.” But my eyes weren’t on her anymore. They were on the crowd gathering below. It was getting bigger and bigger. “Shit, I have to call Jimmy.”

“What for?”