Page 12

I am not entirely sure why I thought Jade would start opening up to me after the party, because I was so very, obviously wrong.

She is avoiding me twice as much and spends a lot of her time in the sunroom with my orchids. Amongst all the beauty in my life—where she might belong.

She is stiff and gives me the cold shoulder when we bump into each other in the kitchen or in passing in the hall ways.

I’m losing patience with her, even though I know that would never happen. I have a world of patience when it comes to trying to break down her walls, because she is worth it. I don’t know when I figured that out, but she is. It’s frustrating, though.

I want to find a way to reach her, to break down these barriers between us.

I think I have to make a grand gesture, take her somewhere really incredible, spoil her.

It’s late morning on Friday and I’m sitting at my desk. I can hear her in the sun room, walking around, singing a little out of tune, but still so beautiful.

Pulling my laptop open, I email one of my favorite restaurants and book us a table on the rooftop. It’s the most incredible view in the entire city.

Then I grab my phone, slip it in my pocket and stand up.

As I walk out the office door, I turn left to the sunroom.

Leaning against the doorframe, I call her name and she jumps a little.

“Hi, Jade,” I grin.

“Hi,” she replies, keeping her eyes on the flowers spread through the sunroom.

“Be ready at seven,” I say casually.

“For what?” she asks, spinning to face me with her brows knotted.

“For an evening out.”

“What kind of evening out? You can’t just tell me to be ready. I need to know what to wear. An evening on the ice rink skating around in circles requires a different dress code to an evening at a little restaurant by the waterfront,” she sasses boldly.

I grin.

“I’ll arrange something for you to wear and have it in your room by late afternoon. You don’t have to worry about anything.”

“Radmir, I want to know—“

“Have a lovely morning, I’m going out for a bit,” I say, turning away from her and walking towards the stairs.

“Radmir!” she calls after me in a huff.

I chuckle as I hurry down to the ground floor. She wouldn’t have liked that. I never cut her off and I never walk away from her while she’s speaking. But I’ve decided to change tactics. And I have somewhere I need to be.

The first place I stop is the jewelry store. I want to find her a ruby. It has to be as perfect as she is though, so I’m nervous they won’t have what I’m looking for.

But as usual, George Lemmings delivers.

I only have to talk with him for a few minutes before he smirks knowingly and says, “I have exactly the thing you are looking for.” Then disappears into the back.

He comes out carrying a velvet box with a glass top. He holds it out towards me and flips the lid open.

“The designer just dropped it off this morning, so it wasn’t on display yet. I think it arrived just in time because it was meant for you.”

It is a teardrop-shaped red ruby, cuffed with rose gold claws set on a gold necklace of the same tone. But it’s not just red. It’s fire red. And when he moves the box, the entire gem glitters and sparkles.

“The cut is excellent, don’t you think?”

“It’s exquisite,” I mumble, mesmerized by the stone.

“And there is a matching ring if you are interested.”

“I’ll take both.”

That was easier than I expected and I’m over the moon about how beautiful it will look on her.

From there I go to the boutique store on main street. A dress store that stocks the most exquisite pieces. I can’t imagine I will find anything as perfect as her black and red dress she wore to the party, but I want to try.

After browsing, I select a deep ruby red velvet dress that will sit tight over her body until her waist and then flare out over her hips. Two long slits run up the front of each leg and black lace edges the top around her breasts. It’s going to be gorgeous.

My stomach flips excitedly.

After stopping for a bouquet and red and black roses I head back home. It’s all taken me longer than I thought it would but it’s fine. I still have time to get the dress to her so she can get ready.

Her bedroom is empty, so I set the dress box on her bed.

The jewelry and flowers I will give to her in person.

She is going to be blown away and feeling like a princess. This is definitely going to win her over.

At quarter to seven, Jade walks downstairs to the foyer where I am waiting with the flowers behind my back.

She takes each step cautiously as though she feels nervous.

“Rad, this is dress is—“ she mumbles, looking worried.

“That dress doesn’t deserve to be on someone so beautiful, but tonight it is the luckiest dress in the world. And you make it look perfect,” I interrupt her.

She grins, her cheeks flushing pink.

When she reaches the last step I pull the flowers out from behind my back.

“Black roses?” she whispers in awe. “I’ve never seen black before. I mean, in pictures yes, but never in person.”

“Little starfish, you are more rare and unique than a black rose.”

She bites her lips and takes them from me, shifting from one foot to the other. Reaching up she brushes her elegant fingers over the soft black and red petals. Then she leans her face close to the roses and breathes in their beautiful scent.

“Will you turn around for me? I have one more thing to add to your outfit and then we can go.”

She turns around, her hair is pinned up in a wild and messy bun. I trace my fingers gently over the arch of her neck.

She shivers and lets out a sharp breath.

I reach around the front of her body and clip the ruby necklace around her neck and then lean over her to take her hand and slip the ring onto her finger where it sits perfect and glittering. She holds her hand out in front of her and rocks it slow from side to side, as mesmerized by the stone as I am.

“Why did you do this?” she asks, almost a whisper.

“I don’t understand your question.”

“Why did you give me these gifts?” She steps away from my arms and turns to face me.

Her face is traced with confusion and worry.

“Starfish, I don’t need a reason to spoil you.” I reach up to touch her cheek, but she moves ever so slightly away from my hand, so I pull it back. But I smile when I take her roses, setting them in the prepared vase near the door. “I’ll put them in your room when we get home,” I comment, pushing my hand against her lower back, I guide her out of the door towards the waiting driver.

She has her fingers wrapped around the teardrop ruby on her neck. She is fidgeting and frowning slightly as we drive towards the restaurant.

We are sitting close to each other on the backseat of the car, our legs touching, warmth spilling between us, but she is quiet.

I don’t understand. I thought she would be more interested or impressed by the princess treatment.

At the restaurant she is polite, but distant, spending most of the time staring out across the expanses and breath-taking views.

I reach across the table after we’ve had our appetizers and take her hand. Her eyes draw towards mine and she looks at me with an awkward smile.

“You don’t look like you are enjoying yourself, Jade. I wanted to take you out and spoil you, not make you uncomfortable,” I say gently.

She bites at her lip, sending currents of energy through my body.

But all she says is, “It’s all lovely.”

Except that her voice, the way she shapes her words, and the distant look in her eyes tells me that she’s being polite. Nothing more.

I grin and shake my head.

“You are a difficult wall to break through, little starfish,” I say, chuckling.

She narrows her eyes towards me.

“What’s so funny?” she asks.

“You are sitting in the most luxurious restaurant in Boston, wearing a dress fit for a queen, looking like you belong with the goddesses in some marble palace somewhere, but you aren’t impressed. And to be honest, that is the most refreshing thing I’ve seen in a long time.”

She chuckles a little, her shoulders relaxing.

“I’m just not used to all of this. It’s so over the top. It’s so, um, unnecessary.”

“Unnecessary for what, though? I wanted to spend some time with you.”

“I understand that, but all of this—“ She gestures around the extravagant venue, “You don’t need this to connect with someone.”

Leaning back in my chair, I let go of her hand and fold my arms across my chest.

The smirk on my face is laced with a challenge.

“Alright, starfish, where would you have chosen to go if you wanted to spend a fun evening with someone?”

She grins back at me, a glint of happiness finally showing in her eyes. It makes my heart spin with excitement.

“Let’s get the check and leave. I’ll take you there right now.”

“Done,” I say, standing up and holding my hand out to her. She sets her hand in mine and follows me through the restaurant.

The waiter and hostess come running towards us when they see us settling the bill at the reception desk.

“Mr. Kuznetsov was it not to your liking? We can talk to the chef, we can make you something else, we can—“ they ruffle off a panicked string of words.

“This place is wonderful, we really enjoyed the starters, but my wife and I just realized we are in the mood for something else.” I smile.

Jade shoots me defiant look when I call her my wife, but she still has that half smile on her lips.

Downstairs, back in the car, Jade leans forward and whispers something to the driver through the privacy window. My eyes are on the gorgeous shape of her ass and the way the dress hangs perfectly over her hips.

She sits down next to me again, not giving anything away.

This time, as we drive through the city, she is chatty and relaxed, and I realize she is far more unique than I could ever have imagined.

The driver stops outside an old movie theater.

“What is this?”

“They only play the oldies here. Reruns of stuff people hardly even know about.” Jade grins.

“A movie?” I chuckle.

“Not just a movie. You have to get caramel popcorn, a ridiculously oversized soda and some gummy bears—to make it an official movie night.” She nods seriously. “And afterwards we are going for a burger at that place over there.” She points across the street to a small restaurant with neon lights in red and blue and red and white striped seating, looking very retro.

“It sounds perfect. Who did you used to do this with?” I ask, curious as she seems to know exactly how it all works.

“My family. We used to come here every Wednesday night, before my brother died. I think after he died it just felt… Wrong in some ways.” She shrugs.

Her bringing me here is more intimate than I thought.

“I hope that after tonight, your heart will feel happier about this place again.”

“I think my heart is starting to feel happier.” She nods but looks away from me.

Climbing out of the car I take her hand and lead her towards the ticket booth.

By the end of the night, I have to admit that her idea was a lot more intimate and enjoyable than mine. Jade and I talked, laughed and had the most amazing time. While we were sitting alone in the almost empty movie theater she kept whispering to me about the old sci-fi we were watching, leaning close and giggling at the outdated special effects.

When we get home, I make sure not to push my luck with her. This has been the most incredible night we’ve had together. She let down her walls, relaxed completely and seemed to let me in to her heart a little. I don’t want to risk anything that will jeopardize that.

So, at the bottom of the stairs, I take her hand and pull her close to me, leaning forward I press my lips against her cheek.

“Goodnight, little starfish, and thank you for a magical night.”

She smiles, her eyes shining bright as she looks up at me.

“Thank you, Radmir. For everything.” She gingerly touches her necklace, then turns to walk up the stairs.

I force myself to stay where I am until she is out of sight, to stop myself from running after her.

Shaking my head, I pull my phone out of my pocket. I had an idea tonight, and I think I know how to create something very special for her, something she will really appreciate and enjoy.

I call my brother, Roman, who happens to be the most efficient when it comes to tech things. I’m going to need his help with this plan.

I’ll also need to enlist Ruslana to get Jade out of the house for the day tomorrow.