Page 16 of Redeemed (Redeemed #1)

Chapter Fifteen

Kennedy

I have twenty minutes before I need to be downstairs to meet Alexander and I’m a ball of nerves.

There isn’t time to fret over the fact that I’m allowing a man to pick me up for a date at my actual house.

This isn’t something that I would typically do because privacy is so important, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to feel normal.

My hair and makeup are styled, but now I’m left staring in front of two different dresses laid out on my bed.

One is my signature color—black—because a sexy black dress is always the safest choice.

The other is a teal green dress that I instantly fell in love with the moment I laid eyes on it.

I bought it in case I needed to attend an event on behalf of my father but now feels like a better use.

Besides, wearing color draws too much attention.

It could’ve never been worn for business.

My excitement for the night builds as my body moves toward the green dress. It hugs every curve and has a heart-shaped neckline that I adore. There’s a thrill that runs through me at the thought of Alexander’s reaction to seeing me dress up for him.

I slip into the dress and a pair of matching stilettos before taking one final glance in the mirror. I look beautiful, and for the first time in a while, I don’t see a monster looking back at me.

The apartment is empty and, as lucky as I feel to not have to explain myself to Nathan, it feels a little too convenient.

But now isn’t the time to question my luck, so I tuck my clutch under my arm and head out of the apartment.

I make a last-minute decision in the elevator to let Cary know I will be out for the night and send him my location.

The moment I push through the turnstiles of my apartment building, my eyes immediately land on Alexander.

He’s leaned against the car, looking like a cover model for GQ.

It’s just late enough in the evening that the street outside my building is damn near empty.

My feet are rooted in their spot on the sidewalk as my eyes take in the sexiness of this man.

The time we’ve spent apart feels much longer now that he is standing right in front of me.

Alexander is in a tailored black suit, with a white dress shirt left unbuttoned at the top and black shoes to tie off the look. My eyes catch on the bit of tattoo peeking out of the top of his shirt, raising his sex appeal level up another notch.

There’s instant confirmation that I made the right choice with this dress as he studies every inch of my body. Our eyes meet as we both begin walking toward each other, that magnetic pull impossible to resist.

“You look phenomenal. Did that dress come with a warning label?” There’s a playful smile on his face.

“I don’t know, will you check for me?”

I turn my back towards him and gently lift the curls that I left hanging down.

I hear his sharp intake of breath before I feel him move in closer, the heat from his body warming mine.

His voice drops to a lower register. “Now, why would you do that to me?” A shiver runs through my body at the rough edge to his voice.

“Whatever do you mean?” I look over my shoulder at him with a shy smile.

I turn to face him, as his arms come around my waist. I lean up on my toes to give him what’s meant to be a short kiss—our first kiss because why should it be put off to the end of the night.

Alexander takes things a step further when his tongue swipes the seam of my lips, asking for more.

Who am I to deny him? He deepens the kiss, and I let him until a car horn blaring breaks us out of our little bubble.

“Your chariot awaits.” I giggle as Alexander motions towards his car that’s parked on the street.

His hand rests on my lower back as he guides me over to the car, assisting me inside before moving to the other side of the car. Alexander slides into the back seat with a grin on his face. He picks up my hand before lifting it to his mouth and placing a soft kiss to the back.

“Kennedy, this is my head of security, Patrick.”

“Good evening,” I say to the driver as I settle into the seat and get buckled in. The driver looks at me through the rearview mirror, giving a slight tip of his head.

“How was your day, beautiful?” His thumb strokes over my knuckles.

“Oh you know, spreadsheets and meetings rule my time. How about you?”

“Today was honestly pretty easy. Never thought I would be happy to have a meeting cancelled but look at how I’m rewarded.”

“Aren’t you the charmer?” I smile at him. “Are you going to let me know where we will be eating?”

“Have you heard of Sundial?”

“I have, actually. Isn’t that the restaurant that sits on top of the Westin?” I’ve met clients in the hotel that houses the restaurant, but I’ve never made it to the top to check out the view.

“Yes, it’s one of the best in the city. Although, with you looking like that, I’m worried someone better looking than me might snatch you off my arm.”

“Wouldn’t that be a shame,” I say with a snicker.

He laughs, pulling my hand to his lips again before our hands return to his thigh. The remainder of our short ride to the restaurant is filled with comfortable silence as Alexander and I sneak glances and smiles at each other.

At the hotel, instead of stopping at the valet we park in the garage, in a spot right beside the elevator where an older gentleman is standing by to greet us.

“Mr. Carter, right this way, please.” Alexander places his hand on my back again, guiding me towards the elevator. “Have either of you dined with us before?”

Offering up a sweet smile to the man who looks old enough to be my grandfather, I say, “I haven’t had the pleasure.”

“I’ve been here for business meetings, and I’ve always had a pleasant experience.” Alexander leans in to whisper into my ear, “I’ve never been here with such enticing company, though.”

I smile back at him as the elevator doors close and the cart makes its assent to the top. Once we reach our floor, the employee leads us through the restaurant to a private seating area. I’m shocked to silence when I see the private space decorated with candles and floral arrangements.

“Alex, this is beautiful. Thank you.” My voice sounds shaky to my own ears.

To someone else, this could be a normal surprise, but this is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me in my life.

Overcome with an emotion I’m not familiar with, I turn and give him another kiss.

His arm comes around my waist, pulling me in closer to him.

The moment is made sweeter by the feeling of fitting perfectly in his arms.

We pull away and I reach up to wipe my lipstick from his mouth. “That’s not really your color.”

He laughs, grabbing my hand and guiding me to the table that’s been set for us. “Thank you for spending the evening with me.” We share a smile, and my shoulders relax. I never want this moment to end. “Is there a particular wine you prefer?”

“White wine is usually my go-to, but I’ll try anything.” I look up to find a smirk on Alexander’s face before he lets out a low chuckle. “Don’t laugh at me, Mr. Carter. I’m willing to try any wine .”

Our waitress comes to take our drink orders, and we spend a little more time pouring over the menu.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t make this happen sooner. The FaceTime conversations help, but it’s nothing like being together.” Alexander closes his menu, turning his focus to me.

“We’re both extremely busy people. I don’t expect you to completely shift your schedule around for me.” I bat my eyelashes playfully at him.

He chuckles. “I just didn’t want to cause any uncertainty.”

“No, you’ve been absolutely perfect. Remember, no pressure, we’re going with the flow .”

His head tilts to the side, studying me. “You never told me the reason you don’t date.”

Alexander isn’t the first person to inquire as to why something serious hasn’t found a place in my life. At least with him I’m able to get closer to the truth than I have in the past.

“My upbringing was a little stressful. Honestly, my family dynamic is something that I wouldn’t want to subject anyone to.

As you may know, being involved with practices that aren’t exactly safe makes it hard to bring someone into that lifestyle.

So, I choose to keep things casual because I’ve never met anyone I thought could handle more with me. ”

“I understand complicated families and the need to protect those around me from the dangers my life choices could bring. Casual has been my preferred method of relationship as well. I don’t know if I could handle one more person I care for becoming possible collateral damage.

” The sadness that comes over his face does something to my chest. I don’t like seeing the stress played out over features that are normally so self-assured.

“Well, it’s a great thing my claws stay sharp. I’m well trained to handle myself and protect you.” We both laugh and I’m glad to see the tension in his eyes fade.

The waitress comes back to drop off our drinks and take our food orders.

When the waitress leaves, Alexander takes a sip of his wine before asking the million-dollar question. “Would you be open to dating?”

“This is the first time I’ve met someone linked to the same lifestyle as myself. Maybe it’s time for something new.” I inhale basking in the floral scent of the room. “I’ve let the expectations of others dictate the actions of my life for far too long.”

“I certainly hope I live up to your expectations,” Alexander says as he reaches his hand across the table, palm up. I don’t hesitate to lay my hand in his.

With a laugh, I look around our private area and say, “Hmm, you’re off to a good start. Are you ready to date someone?”

His laugh is low before he says, “If the right person came along, I would be willing to open myself up to dating.” He looks at me as though I’m the right one and I bask in the feeling through the remainder of our dinner.

Alexander