Page 73 of Sticky Fingers

“Hey, gorgeous. Ready for the night?” he asks me, offering his arm.

Somehow, I manage to smile at him. I hold onto his arm and allow him to lead the way out of Clarendon Tower.

His limo is already waiting for us in the entrance, the engine running idly. Like a true gentleman, Malcolm gets the door for me, and I slide inside. I don’t know where we’re going and, even though I love surprises, tonight I’m simply not in the mood for any of that.

Not when I’m with a man who’s trying to ruin my life.

“Are you okay, babe?” Malcolm asks me a few minutes later, the limo stuck in New York City traffic.

He lays his hand gently on top of mine and squeezes my fingers. I fight against the urge to take my hand back and, somehow, I manage to do it.

“I’m fine,” I tell him, a fake smile on my lips.

He looks at me for two full heartbeats, then looks away with a smile. I glance at him from the corner of my eyes, trying to read him. What’s going on inside his head?

What is he thinking about? What do the days we spent on his island mean to him?

“Per Se?” I ask him as the limo stops in front of the Time Warner Center.

“That’s right. This was the first place we had our date, so I thought it was fitting for the occasion.”

The occasion? What fucking occasion? Is he going to get me arrested today or what?

As we step inside the restaurant, I can’t help but gasp. Even though there are a few other customers in the room, Malcolm had reserved a large portion of the dining room just for the two of us, which is kind of amazing.

I mean, we’re talking about Per Se. For something like this, you’d have to book it months—if not years—in advance!

And the table is so perfectly arranged, with a variety of roses adorning each of the corners. Jesus, even the chef comes out to greet us right after we sit down.

I know that Malcolm is a big shot and all that bullshit, but everyone on staff today seems to be extra polite and cheery.

Just what the hell is going on?

“I know that last time, you struggled a bit with understanding where I was coming from,” Malcolm says with a chuckle, “but I think I’ve changed a lot since then. Maybe it’ll surprise you. And if not…I’ve gotten the chef to make some things thatwillsurprise you.”

“I didn’t struggle last time,” I retort with a pout, but that just makes him laugh some more.

“No, of course not,” he continues, waving at one of the waiters to fill both our glasses.

For the next hour and a half, it’s as if we’re back at the island. Real life, the Picasso, Detective Strong...all that has remained outside in the cold, while Malcolm and I hide in our little bubble of comfort.

By the time I notice it, I’m already laughing at his jokes, smiling and looking into his eyes. I’m squeezing his hand back and thinking to myself just how much I love him. I mean, I could be wrong, right?

There’s a small chance that Malcolm is being genuine with me…

Don’t be an idiot, Sonia, I scold myself.

I’ve always been extra careful with the people I surround myself with, and that’s part of the reason I’ve never been caught so far. I started to loosen that rule a bit around Malcolm, and now look at the mess I’m in! My fate pretty much rests in his hands.

“Hey, Earth to Sonia,” I hear Malcolm say. “Are you even listening?”

“Sorry, I...I spaced out for a bit.”

“I was just saying...that I’ve never met a woman like you,” he continues, a soft smile on his lips as he locks his eyes on mine. “And that, no matter what happens, I can’t see a future where you’re not around. I’m sorry if my words aren’t good enough... I never really thought about how I’d be in a position like this, you know?”

“What...what are you talking about?”

“Sonia,” he whispers softly, pushing his chair back and walking over to me. Then, he goes down on one knee and takes a box out from inside his suit. “Will you marry me?”

Holy shit.

Holyfuckingshit.